Social Worker - Pre Birth Team

Are you an experienced Social Worker who wants to carry out meaningful and rewarding work? Do you want to be part of an award-winning, supportive team? If so, join Durham County Council's Pre-Birth team! In a our last inspection (May 2022), OFSTED recognised the OUTSTANDING work of the pre-birth team, and we regularly receive positive feedback from the Courts and Cafcass. WHAT IS INVOLVED? In pre-birth, our model and ambition is to enable babies to remain with their parents, or at least within the birth family, where it is safe to do so. As a passionate and nurturing pre-birth social worker, you will provide intensive support to parents in order for them to achieve sustainable change to safely care for their child from birth. Where this is not in the child's best interest, you will work to find a permanent home for the child as early as possible. You will also ensure the completion of comprehensive and high-quality assessments. We are passionate about social work in County Durham, and we are committed to providing a culture where good practice can flourish. Durham is also proud to be recognised as 'Supportive Employer of the Year', at the Social Work Awards 2022. When you join our highly skilled team you will be supported to succeed!, Durham County Council currently operates a hybrid working policy where a model of 2 days in the workplace and 3 days at home/remote will apply. This model is pro-rated for part time roles and arrangements are at managers discretion, alternatively you can work all of your contracted hours within the workplace if you prefer. EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION We are a proud equal opportunities employer and recognise that a diverse, talented workforce brings new ideas and new perspectives, which will facilitate growth and improvements to services. We are committed to ensuring that our employment policies and processes are fair and equitable to all. We welcome job applications from everyone, and successful candidates are considered only on their skills and ability to do the job. As a Disability Confident Leader, we encourage applications from disabled people and provide support throughout the recruitment process. Take a closer look: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26899/Equality-diversity-and-inclusion-in-our-workforce INTERVIEWS Interviews will be held from 20th November onwards. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.

You will need to be an experienced, pro-active Social Worker who wants to work intensively with families and promote the voice of the child. You will also need:

• A degree in social work or equivalent social work qualification, and a current Social Work England Registration
• Successful completion of the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE)
• Experience of building effective relationships with children, young people, and families
• Experience in producing focused written case notes and reports
• Knowledge of social work theories relevant to the role
• Commitment, enthusiasm, and professional confidence
Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria. If successful, you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure. Removal, lodging and separation expenses may be available to the successful candidate if at the time of application for appointment their place of residence is outside the administrative area of County Durham and in excess of 30 miles in a straight line from their new administrative centre, along with a number of other criteria for eligibility. If successful, you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.

REWARDS AND BENEFITS We offer generous rewards and benefits that are designed to help you perform at your best:
• Competitive salaries and 27 days holiday per year rising to 32 days after five years continuous local government service.
• Option to purchase up to 10 additional days annual leave per year.
• Excellent work/life balance through schemes including job sharing, compressed hours and flexi-time (allowing up to 13 flexi days per year).
• Hybrid working (home and office working).
• Excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Plus, top up options - Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme and standard AVC scheme for members of the LGPS.
• Wellbeing Portal and access to an Employee Assist Scheme.
• Wide range of learning and development opportunities including professional qualifications, coaching and mentoring.
• Employee Benefits Portal and Lifestyle Savings Scheme (discounts across a host of major retailers).
• Discounted DCC gym membership.
• Staff networks run by staff for our staff, including Race Equality and Diversity, Disability, LGBT+, Armed Forces, Carers, Menopause.
• Trade Union membership.
• A range of other salary sacrifice schemes such as car leasing.Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.
Take a closer look: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26895/Rewards-and-benefits