Social Worker (Childrens) (Grade 10)

The responsibility of the Children’s Services Function is to promote and ensure the safety, well bring and learning of children and young people. Within the Service, Children and Young People’s Social Care Team provide services to “Children in Need”, children subject to Child Protection Plans, Children “Looked After” and consultancy across Early Help Services. The Family Front Door Social Worker is responsible for triaging acute level of need referrals from professionals and families, gathering and analysing information, and making clear, evidence-based recommendations. The role ensures an effective interface between our families, partner agencies and Children’s Social Care, to ensure that Children and Families within Somerset get the correct level of support and the the correct time. All Practitioners at the Front Door are office based for their intervention, assessment and triage of Children and Families. The Social Worker will need to be able to manage diverse and frequently complex situations which may require a statutory discussion under Section 47 of the Children Act. Strong assessment and analytical skills are required and the ability to priorities needs and risks within a short timeframe. Workers will be part of a Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and will be required to participate in MASH discussions when required. It is essential that the practitioner is able to offer clear, balanced and evidence based findings to our partner agencies in the best interest of children. This is to ensure that they are receiving a timely and robust package of support from professionals around them.

JOB DESCRIPTION Will undertake the following list of duties and responsibilities (which is not exhaustive) and act at all times as a beacon of professional good practice and as the face of Children’s Social Care when day services are not available.

Effectively evaluate/triage all incoming referrals to form a professional assessment and recommendation for Children And Families. In order to do this the practitioner needs to remain curious and reflective to ensure recommendations are balanced and considered in the best interest of children and families.

Triage and analyse referrals which may include requests to support Children under Section 17 CiN and Children at risk of immediate harm who require immediate protection under Section 47 of the Children Act. Have a good understanding of Early Help Services within Somerset and understand the interface between these two strands in order to ensure recommendations are proportionate and the correct service is provided for Children and Families in line with their needs.

Understand, uphold and promote the aims of the council’s equality, diversity and inclusion policies; health, safety and wellbeing of self and others; and Organisational values in everything you do. Equality and Diversity practice covers both interaction.