Supervising Social Worker (Kinship G8)

Job Category :Social Care – Qualified

Location : County Hall, Cardiff Council

Hours Per Week : 22.20

Start Date : immediate Start

Start Time : 09:00

End Time : 17:00
Salary: £28.00

This would include the completion of Connected Person Assessments and Special Guardianship assessments including conversion assessments for those carers pursuing a Special Guardianship arrangement.  

You will be responsible for assessing potential kinship arrangements and those currently approved foster carers. You would have to be able explain the benefits and differences of becoming a Kinship foster carer or Special Guardian for the child(ren) in their care

Job Purpose:    

This is a Social Work role within the Cardiff Fostering Service. To be responsible for support of kinship foster carers. 

To work within current legislation and Council policy, procedures and practice to assess and review services, including planned interventions, for a specific client 

group. 

To work within the statutory guidance and policy/procedural framework to assist in 

protecting those who are at risk or vulnerable. 

To contribute to the development and maintenance of workable systems to ensure 

quality of service across the city and the identification of people particularly at risk. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Job Specific Requirements

1.         Contribute to the development and maintenance of effective systems to ensure quality services to Children in Need and Looked After Children.

2.         To assist where relevant in the recruitment and support of Foster Carers and connected persons.

3.         To review and update knowledge of legal, policy and procedural frameworks and demonstrate professional competence in social work practice as laid down in the Code of Practice for Social Workers.

4.         To work with individuals, families, carer groups and communities to help them make informed decisions, enabling them to clarify and express their needs and contribute to service planning.

5.         Work positively with colleagues in the statutory and independent sector to ensure an appropriate multi-agency approach, and represent Children’s Services as necessary in multi agency forums.

6.         Work with Kinship Foster Carers and communities to help them make informed decisions, enabling them to clarify and express their needs and contribute to service planning. 

7.         To assess needs, risks and options, in family circumstances , taking into account legal and other requirements, including child protection and protection of vulnerable adults.


Education 

& Training

            A good general education

Degree in Social Work 

            Masters Degree in Social Work (post qualifying level) 

or

Post Qualifying Award in        Social Work (inc Practice Teaching Award or Childcare       Award)

Experience / Knowledge

            Experience of managing a 

caseload of ranging complexity 

and problems, and competing 

demands

Experience of completing social work assessments  Experience of managing  a varied caseload, 

Experience of working with kinship or connected persons within a fostering setting. 

Experience of supporting and/or assessing foster carers. 

Skills and

Abilities

            Comprehensive understanding of and the ability to work within all legislation, standards of practice, policies and procedures relevant to the area of work.

Ability to write clear, concise records, assessments and reports. 

Ability to work as part of a team. 

Ability to effectively organise work within a framework where time and service delivery targets are set. 

Advocacy skills. 

An ability to work with staff and managers at all 

levels and in a variety of disciplines/agencies. 

organisational skills. 

Ability to organise self and others in order to prioritise work and achieve targets.

Able to demonstrate self motivation and an ability to work on own initiative with minimal supervision within agreed parameters.

Ability to demonstrate competence in working and negotiating with colleagues from other disciplines to safeguard and promote the welfare of children  

Ability to identify, assess and manage risk and identify possible solutions to problems

Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with service users, staff, managers, other agencies and public.

Ability to enable service users to contribute to the planning and development of services for the benefit of service users.

Working knowledge of human growth and development throughout the life span, recognising the impact of relationships, psychological, socioeconomic, environmental, and physiological factors in people’s lives.

Understanding of the principles of relationship-based approaches apply to practice.

Knowledge of theories, models and evidence based practice for social work intervention with children, families, carers, and communities.

Significant and proven statutory experience.

Understanding of the value and importance of supervision and ability to accept supervision.

Competent IT user with a commitment to using information technology and proficient in the use of Microsoft Office packages e.g. Word, Excel, Power point, etc.

            Proficient in the use of Care First

Able to speak Welsh 

Able to speak another relevant language i.e. Arabic Somali, Polish or Czech

Experience of working within the Signs of Safety framework.

Experience of contributing to the learning of student social workers.

Personal

Attributes

            Non-judgemental and caring attitude 

Able to challenge constructively when appropriate

Able to work effectively as part of a team or working alone and to manage own workload

Ability to demonstrate a commitment to the principle of working in partnership 

Commitment to developing practice  to improve outcomes for children

Committed to the delivery of high quality services within a changing and complex environment

Strong commitment to the application of social work values and to anti-discriminatory practice

Problem solving abilities.

Ability to demonstrate awareness/understanding of equal opportunities and a commitment to the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy 

Able to demonstrate a clear understanding of and commitment to Health and Safety.  Able to apply it effectively to self, staff and service users. 

            Creativity and pro-active approach 

Special  

Circumstances

            Registration with the Care Council for Wales 

Willingness to work flexibly and to work outside office hours as necessary

Willingness to work on an ‘on call’ rota as necessary 

            Full valid driving licence and the use of a car.