Social Worker Kinship Assessment Team (SGO / Connected Care)

We are looking for a social worker to join the Kinship Assessment Team (SGO & Connected Person) on a Fixed Term/Secondment for 24 months. The team complete Viability and full Kinship Assessments and you will have the opportunity to undertake both, but the initial focus will be on completing Viability assessments on prospective CP /SG families. The Opportunity The Kinship Assessment Team was created in 2019 and has expanded to meet the demand across the County. We are seeking an experienced, resilient, self-motivated, and creative Social Worker to join the Kinship Assessment Team. In this fast-paced role you will assess and support potential SGO/Connected Persons carers who have come forward through the Public Law process, or by the Private Law route and want to offer long-term care for children who are connected to them. The team aims to undertake robust, analytical, and evidence-based assessments which focus on the trauma children suffered and how the proposed carer/special guardian will provide long term care for that child/ren. These assessments are prepared for the court and or fostering panel and therefore you will need to be required at times to give evidence in court or able to present your assessment to panel. From speaking to Kinship Carers, we know that it is essential for them to be fully prepared and informed to make the right decisions going forward. As a result, we provide preparation training days regularly to ensure that we give people the opportunity to learn and ask questions. The Social work role within the team brings the following:

• An exciting opportunity to use your assessment skills, knowledge around attachment and trauma and develop new skills.
• Hold a manageable caseload.
• Ensure ongoing development and training.
• Links with Coram BAAF and national development of Kinship Care.
• Monthly supervision and team meetings.
• Working flexibly and manage your own diary.
• Being involved in the continuous development of the service within Essex
• Take part in training delivery.
• Supportive and helpful colleagues who are there for each other and where needed joint working is encouraged.
  
  Diploma or degree in Social Work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent
• Registration with Social Work England as registered Social Worker
• Experience and a good understanding of work within Children and Families and Fostering service preferably but not essential.
• Commitment to children remaining with their extended family when possible.
• Analytical assessment writing skills and record keeping are essential.
• Undertake succinct, timely and thorough assessments in complex situations and to tight timescales.
• Experience of attending Court, fostering panel and to produce good quality reports is beneficial.
• Understanding of the impact for carers of neglect/abuse and trauma on children and to provide support through the assessment.
• Excellent communication skills are essential as you will be expected to work closely with families, other ECC services, including but limited to Fostering, Children in Care, FS&P and Legal Services as well as alongside external agencies.
• A commitment to flexible working is essential as some assessments will be out of county and/ or with families who have huge demands on their time.
• Be part of the duty system rota
To read more about us please visit: Children & Families Please take a look at our 'No Magic' Children & Families video The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.