Principal Social Worker - Adults Services

The London Borough of Harrow is offering an exciting opportunity for a Principal Social Worker to join our Adult Social Care Services team. In this role, you will provide both operational and motivational leadership, championing social work practices and maintaining a visible presence within the workforce. Your primary goal will be to foster a positive working environment and deliver high-quality services. You will also provide professional social work leadership across the organisation, supporting and advising on the quality of social work and social care practices to ensure the highest standards of professional practice. Key responsibilities include:

• Strategically managing the workforce development function in alignment with the department's vision and workforce strategy.
• Leading the commissioning and implementation of effective staff training and development across Adult Services.
• Innovating new ways of working to achieve better outcomes for citizens and carers, including implementing the strengths-based 3 Conversations model.
• Supporting staff to maintain a strong person-centred and strengths-based approach, ensuring an outstanding service for citizens and carers.
  
  An excellent knowledge and understanding of the value base of the social work profession, its ethical standards and relevant legislation, policies and issues that affect the delivery of social care services and the ability to advise practitioners in their application.
• A detailed understanding of the needs of adults and their carers, including those where there are safeguarding concerns, mental capacity issues, or significant health concerns.
• Detailed knowledge of Adult Safeguarding practice, legislation and research.
• To be a professional and strategic lead, inspire staff, and develop and communicate a vision for social work services and align that vision to practice and delivery of services to keep citizens safe.
• To communicate well verbally and in writing for a variety of audiences. This includes researching and producing reports and briefings at a strategic level within the organisation for senior managers and elected members.
• Leadership skills with an ability to meet operational objectives.
• Substantial experience of social work practice within a relevant social care setting, assessing and managing risk, and empowering citizens and carers and promoting their well- being.
• Experience of management in a statutory setting, or of assessing students / NQSW's on ASYE and demonstrating the ability to lead and motivate staff or students, within a culture of learning and continuous
improvement.
• Experience of influencing and /or successfully implementing improvements in service provision.
• Professional social work qualification and registered with Social Work England.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.