Social Work Assistant

We are seeking a social work assistant to join our Safeguarding Team. As a social work assistant, you will play a pivotal role in the screening and triage of information sent to the Safeguarding Team by the Police and Ambulance Service. As well as screening and triage, other key duties will include include supporting the duty social worker with same day welfare visits and advice and information to partnership agencies and colleagues within the council on when a safeguarding referral ought t be made. This is an opportunity to contribute to develop your skills in a supportive environment.

If you are passionate about supporting people to live independent lives, free from abuse and neglect and possess the required skills and qualifications, we invite you to Join us in our mission to provide exceptional care and support within a positive and nurturing work environment. Together, we can make a meaningful impact on the well-being of our community. If you would like an informal conversation or to drop in and meet us before applying, you are warmly welcomed to do so. Please contact Poppy Tomalin (Principal Social Worker) to arrange. Poppy.tomalin@milton-keynes.gov.uk

About the Safeguarding Team: Our team comprises dedicated professionals committed to delivering exemplary Adult Social Care Services under the Care Act 2014. We uphold professional standards, promote resilience, and ensure the well-being of both people using services and our team members. With a focus on continuous improvement, we offer comprehensive support, training, and development opportunities to facilitate personal and professional growth.

Interviews will be held on 4 October 2024

Main Responsibility

Safeguarding/Risk - With guidance, have the ability to recognise risk/abuse and know who and how to escalate. With support create care/support plans with individuals that reduce risk.

Review - With guidance use supervision to review outcomes and interventions to measure input and ways to improve outcomes for people.

Case Management - With support and guidance balance the demands of a case load and use the data base to record interventions within agreed timescales.

Strength Based Practice - Listen and understand what is important to the person and what they have already available to them in the community to achieve desired outcomes.

Assessment - With guidance carry out assessments/reviews and care plans that clearly identify outcomes that can be reviewed.

Relationship Building - Be able to communicate clearly with individuals, their carers/family and other professionals across health and social care to work together to achieve positive outcomes for people.

Practical Support - To provide one-off practical support when needed to aid individuals' independence., We recently developed and implemented our new career progression framework to create long term stability in the social worker workforce by creating opportunities for progression and supporting professional development. We also provide formal development for experienced social workers by supporting them to undertake practice educator, best interest assessor and AMHP training.

All post holders will work according to the Council's Values & Expectations.

Spoken English Duty Requirement - The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for this post.

Able to travel to meet service delivery requirements. For this role you are required to have a Full UK Driving Licence and provide evidence of your Vehicle Insurance with Business cover and use of a vehicle . If you are successful, you will be required to supply evidence of your Licence prior to starting the role

Should you be offered the role, as part of the pre-employment checks an Enhanced DBS will be actioned for you (unless you are on the DBS Update Service).

Available to undertake work outside of normal working hours when required. Ability to use IT systems and software appropriately to record and communicate.

Commitment to own development and learning.

Ideally educated to Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent/or are highly experienced with demonstrable on the job knowledge and skills. At Milton Keynes Adult Social Care Services we take pride in our supportive work culture and try to go that extra mile when it comes to investing in our colleagues.

Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.

We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.

We're very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.

We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it's time for a new role.

If you'd like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.

We understand the importance of providing support and resources to promote resilience and well-being. We are committed to providing a range of support and guidance to ensure that colleagues are able to seek the appropriate level of support, should they need to. This includes:

• Access to MKCC Employee Assistance Programme and Health Champions.


• Variety of Health and Wellbeing Workshops.


• Quality supervision and reflective practice sessions.


• Clear career progression pathways and support for professional registration fees.


• Exceptional pension scheme and other benefits., In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:


• Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.



• Excellent pension - everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.



• A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.



• Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.



• Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.


Our roles are either designated 'site based' or 'home based'. 'Site based' roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst 'home based' roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.