Job Description

Locality Social Worker - Children's Services

Location: Buckinghamshire, County Wide
Salary: £42,778 - £44,752
Pay Grade: Grade 6

Overview: Are you passionate about improving the lives of children and young people? Do you want to work for an employer who prioritises high-quality supervision, wellbeing, and career development? As a Children's Social Worker, you'll have the incredible opportunity to shape futures and create lasting positive memories. Your role will be more than just a job; it'll be a chance to be a friend, mentor, and advocate. You'll work closely with children, families, schools, and other professionals to ensure that every child's unique needs are met. Your empathy, patience, and dedication will be the driving force behind meaningful change in their lives.

At Buckinghamshire Council, we have an opportunity for a high-calibre, experienced Social Worker to join one of our newly created Locality Hubs.

About Us: Locality teams deliver statutory and targeted early help services to children and young people in need of support, protection, and care. Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally.

Job Purpose and Context: As a Social Worker in Children's Services, you will provide professional, statutory social work to a caseload of children, young people, and families, ensuring their views are heard. You will deliver a breadth of social work support, including assessment, planning, support/intervention, and review.

Main Responsibilities:

• Deliver targeted and specialist social work services for children and young people in need of support, protection, and care.
• Undertake statutory social work assessments, analysing needs, risks, and circumstances.
• Promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young people, championing their rights and improving their life chances and outcomes.
• Build relationships with children and young people to understand their views, wishes, and lived experiences.
• Collaborate with parents/carers and multi-disciplinary professionals to develop support, protection, and care plans.
• Liaise with Legal Services and represent the local authority in court as required.
• Monitor and review the impact of support, protection, and care plans, maintaining records and documentation in line with best practice standards.
• Participate in regular supervision and annual appraisals, undertaking continual professional development.

Values and Behaviours: We expect your values and behaviours to reflect those of our organisation:

Proud:

• Perform to your best every day.
• Set high standards and uphold the service and Council's reputation.

Ambitious:

• Eager to learn, develop, and fulfil potential.
• Aim to improve and seek solutions.

Collaborative:

• Engage with others, share ideas, and solutions.
• Work effectively with others to achieve outcomes.

Trustworthy:

• Accountable for actions, professional conduct.
• Respond quickly and show initiative.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:

• Demonstrable experience with vulnerable children and young people in need of support, protection, and/or care.
• Experience working with parents/carers and multi-disciplinary/agency partners.
• Knowledge of relevant legislative, procedural, and theoretical frameworks.
• Ability to assess, plan, and review needs, risks, and circumstances.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with proficiency in ICT systems.
• Effective workload management and prioritisation skills.
• Capability to work independently and seek support when necessary.
• Reflective practice for continuous improvement.

Qualifications:

• Recognised social work qualification.
• Active HCPC registration.
• Continual professional development.

Other Requirements:

• Access to/use of a vehicle and the ability to travel across the county.

Politically Restricted Post: This role is politically restricted under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, preventing involvement in political activities such as holding office as a local councillor.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to make a real impact in the lives of children and young people.
• Supportive work environment with a focus on professional development.
• Collaborative team culture.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.

Apply Now: If you are passionate about making a difference and meet the above criteria, we would love to hear from you. Join us at Buckinghamshire Council and be part of a team committed to creating positive change for children and families.

Contact Phil Puaca at Ackerman Pierce on (phone number removed)

Buckinghamshire Council is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Skills Required

• COMMUNICATION
• Project management