Have the ability to prioritize and complete tasks meeting specific deadlines.
A commitment to the values, principles, aim and objectives of Social Services and promoting the welfare of children.
An understanding of anti-oppressive and non-biased practice
DESIRABLE
-
QUALIFICATIONS AND RELEVANT TRAINING
ESSENTIAL
Good standard of education to level 5 GCSE grade C or above to include Welsh and English.
A suitable level 3 qualification in assessment or a higher/similar qualification in care. The current accepted qualification in accordance with the Social Care Qualifications Framework for Wales is the Open University HE Certificate in Social Care Practice (K101/102 & KZW113). You must therefore be willing and have the ability to fulfill the qualification as a condition of accepting the job unless you already possess it (or a higher qualification).
DESIRABLE
Training in the field of children, including interventions and models for change.
ECDL word processing qualification or similar
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL
Experience of working with children and families who show a range of complex needs (mental health challenges, behavioural difficulties, drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence) and demonstrate an ability to create rapport and build effective relationships.
Knowledge of safeguarding, childcare legislation, local child protection procedures, and an understanding of child development, parenting capacity and risk and protective factors.
Being able to foster reflective, supportive outcomes-focused relationships with children and their families.
Experience of planning work in a structured and efficient manner
Attend and contribute to meetings
DESIRABLE
Experience of working within a statutory social services framework.
Experience of carrying out or contributing to assessments, care planning and reviews with service users and complex needs.
Knowledge and understanding of a range of evidence-based approaches, including attachment and loss theory, relationship and strength-based interventions.
SKILLS AND SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE
ESSENTIAL
Ability to engage and maintain relationships while listening, discussing and meaningfully identifying information / problems with individuals who may be in crisis situations.
Information about the needs of children and families with support available within the community to help them.
Ability to analyse information and formulate support packages that are tailored to meet the needs of children and their families.
Ability to analyse, record and discuss assessment, reports and plans in Welsh and English.
Ability to work in a multi-agency partnership while fulfilling the needs of the individual.
A commitment to professional self-management, reflection and development.
Ability to operate ensuring data security and confidentiality.
Computer skills – able to use Microsoft systems.
Current, clean driving licence.
DESIRABLE
-
Language requirements
Listening and Speaking - Higher
Able to follow a conversation or discussion through the medium of Welsh and English on a professional level and discuss general day to day topics in the field in order to present information and express opinions.Able to give a pre-prepared presentation and respond to any comments and questions on it in Welsh or English.
Reading and Understanding - Higher
Able to understand standard written Welsh and English; both formal and informal.Able to gather information from various sources such as letters, reports, articles through the medium of Welsh and English in order to fulfil the post.
Writing - Higher
Present written information confidently by letter, more detailed and technical report formats, and respond to written requests conveying information, ideas and opinion in Welsh and English (help is available to check the work).
Purpose of the post
•Ensure that the people of Gwynedd are at the heart of everything we do.
•The team works in circumstances to:
•Prevent a child from going into care unless absolutely necessary.
•Return a child home within the first 8 weeks of going into care.
•Return a child home if it is safe to do so.
•Mother/Baby/Residential/Step down
•By providing intensive intervention for a period of time, the team works with families through times of crises to stabilise the situation and reduce risk. Research has shown that the relationship with the family is the most influential factor to contribute to success. The employee needs to be honest, dependable and open. Also, the employee needs to persevere despite any obstacles that may arise. For these reasons, individual caseloads are kept low to provide intensive intervention, build a positive relationship and ensure effective support.
Responsibility for functions
•Computer, mobile phone, pool car
Main duties
•Support children and their families to be actively involved in making decisions about care and support in their life.
•Collaborate with children and their carers to identify 'What matters to them' and find ways to meet personal goals.
•Work in a way that empowers and motivates the children and families, by using a positive approach with the whole family. To build on the skills and strengths of the parent, the children and the extended family to develop resilience, self-reliance and take independent steps.
•Collaborate with children, young people and their carers to plan and deliver a range of interventions or services needed to meet their personal and safeguarding objectives.
•Create an intervention package based on a range of research-based interventions. Discretion and creativity will need to be used to adapt packages according to the individuals' specific needs. There will not necessarily be a fit-for-purpose intervention package without interweaving with various other interventions due to the complexity of cases.
•Lead on an intervention plan tailored to the needs of children and their carers.
•Regularly conduct an assessment of progress, strengths and risk with families and provide reports. Involve social workers and other agencies in the review as needed.
•Make evidence-based decisions
•Agree with parents and families and other agencies on the aims and purpose of the work within safeguarding policies and procedures.
•Record information and prepare reports in accordance with the system's requirements. Participate in court proceedings including giving evidence, providing information and preparing assessments in the form of a report.
•Promote the empowerment of children's voice and support them to get advocacy support.
•Work in partnership with other professions and agencies to further the family's objectives, putting the children at the centre.
•Discover solutions to overcome barriers. Report on obstacles that cannot be overcome locally to the leader.
•Provide information and advice to children and their carers about the support the service can provide and also refer them (with permission) to the wider support services which are available in the community from local and national groups and organisations.
•Present a professional image and work flexibly.
•Practise in a way which is in-line with the principles of the professional code of practice for social care.
•Develop and maintain the specialist knowledge and skills that are necessary to practise, which includes specialist Training (research).
•Develop professional practice through supervision and reflection. Actively participate in regular supervision sessions and in the annual evaluation process.
•Actively participate in team meetings and other relevant meetings as necessary to contribute to the development of the service.
•Always act in accordance with the Authority and Department's policies and procedures.
•Adhere to confidentiality restrictions and Data Protection legislation.
•Be responsible for establishing good working relationships, both internally and externally.
•Comply with the Authority's Policies and Procedures and notify Senior Officers of any areas that have not been adequately addressed.
•Be actively involved in supporting the Authority's principles and practices in terms of equal opportunity, as noted in the Equal Opportunity Policy.
•Employees will be required to provide specific information about themselves so that the Authority can properly fulfil its duties, rights and obligations as an employer. The Authority will process and monitor such data mainly for personnel, administrative and payroll purposes.
•As a condition of your employment and in order to maintain effective departmental operations, you may be required to undertake any other reasonable task, in line with your pay-scale, as determined by your Line Manager or Head of Service.
•Gwynedd is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable groups. All Council employees are expected to be aware of the Corporate Safeguarding Policy and of their responsibility to report any concerns through the appropriate channels and timeframe.
•Ensure compliance with workplace Health and Safety rules in accordance with the responsibilities noted in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.
•To be responsible for managing information in accordance with the Council’s information management guidelines.
•A commitment to reducing the Council’s carbon emissions in accordance with the Carbon Management Plan, and to encourage others to act positively towards reducing the Council’s carbon footprint.
•Responsible for self-development.
•Ensure compliance with Health and Safety rules in the workplace in accordance with the responsibilities noted in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.
•Operate within the Council’s policies in relation to equal opportunities and equality.
•Responsibility for managing information in accordance with the Council’s information management standards and guidelines. Ensure that personal information is treated in accordance with Data Protection legislation.
•A commitment to reducing the Council’s carbon emissions in accordance with the Carbon Management Plan, and to encourage others to act positively towards reducing the Council’s carbon footprint.
•Undertake any other reasonable duty which corresponds with the salary level and responsibility level of the job.
•Responsible for reporting any concern or suspicion that a child or vulnerable adult is being abused.
Special circumstances
•Work within a flexible framework to meet service requirements outside the usual 9 to 5 hours when necessary.