Mae’r ddogfen hon ar gael yn Gymraeg / This document is also available in Welsh.
Principal Social Worker
Job Type: Social Work
Group: Social Services -Adult Services
Grade: Grade 13
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is pleased to offer a Principal Social Work position within Care & Support (Rhondda Fawr and Cynon South) Adult Social Care Services.
Our Adult Care and Support Teams have a full-time, Principal Social worker positions available in the Rhondda Fawr and Cynon South and Support Teams. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual who is enthusiastic in wishing to work with adults over the age of 18, who may have a physical disability, chronic illness, learning disability or mental health condition and whose needs are complex and need ongoing, active, Social Work involvement.
You will need to have good written and verbal communication skills, be organised, self-motivated and able to prioritise competing job demands, as well as being creative and have a strong belief in empowering adults towards independence; balancing risk against an individual’s right to self-determination.
As a Principal Social Worker, you will be expected to manage a caseload whilst balancing this with other requirements of the post. You will play a key role in developing best practice; requiring you to promote and deliver consistently high standards of professional practice and mentor others to do the same.
You will receive and provide regular, professional, supervision on a six week basis and as Principal Social worker, you will also be involved in facilitating peer group supervision, which will be themed to enhance professional understanding and knowledge. You will play a key role within the management of the team and be expected to deputise, on occasion, for the Team Manager.
You will be working in a challenging, yet supportive, team environment. We work to a preventative, strength-based model under the principles of the Social Services and Wellbeing Act 2014. You will need to work with individuals and families through change. The work has an emphasis on multi-agency working and you will work closely with colleagues from differing professions such as health, the police and housing.
You will be expected to understand and work within Safeguarding policies and the Mental Capacity Act 2005. An understanding of Continuing Health Care and Care and Treatment planning under the Mental Health Measure (Wales) 2010 would be helpful.
Although these are generic teams, there are opportunities to develop areas of specialism within the team. Opportunities to develop research-based practice are encouraged and the team regularly support social work students. Professional development is encouraged and expected, and the Council has an excellent training department with varied opportunities to participate in post qualifying accredited training. The teams are highly supportive environments to work in and RCT also offers the opportunity to maintain a good work/life balance with staff benefits available to the workforce.
You will need to hold a relevant professional Social Work qualification, i.e. a Degree in Social Work, or recognised predecessor equivalent, must be registered with Social Care Wales as a “Social Worker” and have significant post qualifying experience, including that at Experienced Social Worker level.
All our practitioners have the chance to influence the development of our work and are supported by a strong, experienced management team both at strategic and operational levels.
We recognise that Social Work is professionally and personally challenging and demands considerable levels of skill, commitment, and enthusiasm. We offer a dedicated in-house Learning and Development Centre which actively supports practitioners at each level to maintain their skills and Continuous Professional Development.
You will benefit from an improved career pathway for Social Work professionals, and an employee reward package, which includes flexible working, Leisure for Life membership discount, and access to the Cycle to Work and the Viv up discount schemes.
For further information and informal discussion please contact Anna-Marie Young (Team manager, Rhondda Fawr) or Yvonne Phillips (Cynon South) on 01443 444596
Benefits of Working for Rhondda Cynon Taf Council:
- Flexible Working Arrangements (depending on the role)
- Excellent Career Development
- Excellent Pension Scheme with Employer Contributions
- Occupational Health support and advice
- Staff Rewards scheme
- Vivup discounts
Protecting children and vulnerable adults is a core responsibility of all staff appointed to the Council.
In addition to this safeguarding responsibility, the successful applicant for this role will also be subject to an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.
The Council values diversity in its workforce. We are committed to ensuring that no unlawful discrimination occurs in the recruitment and selection process on the grounds of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, transgender, including those with non-binary identities, religion or belief or pregnancy and maternity. We offer a number of staff networks for employees including the Allies Network, a Disability and Carers Network and Perthyn our LGBTQ+ Network.
An application submitted for this post in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English.
As part of the Council’s longer term objectives in relation to the Welsh language and its Workforce Planning Strategy, it is committed to a guaranteed interview scheme for Welsh-speakers of Level 3 and above. If you meet the essential criteria as identified in the person specification for the job and are a Welsh-speaker of Level 3 and above, you will be invited to interview if you choose to participate in the scheme.
In view of the large number of Application Forms which are currently being submitted individual applications are not acknowledged. Consequently if you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application is unsuccessful on this occasion. In which case you are thanked for the interest you have shown in applying for a position within the Council.
In support of the Council’s voluntary pledge to support the Armed Forces, the recruiter must always be prepared to ensure that applicants who have identified themselves as members of the Armed Forces including Service Leavers, Veterans or Reservists and who meet the essential criteria of the person specification, are offered an interview.
Care Experienced Leavers – Guaranteed Interview Scheme
As part of the Council’s corporate parenting role it is committed to supporting its care experienced leavers. This means anyone who has spent time within the care system at any point in their life. We encourage applications from individuals who are care experienced to enable them to access employment, education, experiences and volunteering opportunities.
The Council will guarantee an interview for any care experienced leavers who wish to take part in the scheme who meet the essential criteria for the role.
