Cardiff Children's services are leaders in practice and have been chosen as the location for key pilot projects including Family Drug and Alcohol Courts. We are forward thinking and seeking to embrace new models of working to ensure success in supporting children and young people experiencing mental health crisis and children involved with criminal exploitation. Our new ways of working have led us to develop multi-disciplinary teams.
Cardiff supports the learning and development of individuals through leadership and management development opportunities whilst actively involving staff in the auditing and review of proactive learning that enables continuous development of the service and individuals within a nurturing and supportive culture.
There is a key focus on shifting the balance of care ensuring that only those children for whom risks cannot be mitigated are placed outside their family network. This is being achieved through clear analysis of the presenting issues and seeking to tailor support to meet the needs of family which might include daily support in the home and or the use of respite. Cardiff are committed to working with families through statutory intervention and sharing parental responsibility only where the risks dictate and not as a result of access to resources/services.
About the jobWe have created a new Principal Social Worker role which will focus on Court Work.
You will be a case holding social worker working with approximately 10/11 children (4/5 families) who are subject to care proceedings. You will be responsible for all aspects of the case management including statutory visiting, care planning and review, and court.
You will work with children and their families to assist in decision making for Children to remain at home or return home to their parents. Assessments will need to consider the current risks and associated protective factors whilst also identifying the likelihood of sustained change within the child's timescales.
You will have experience of working with children subject to care proceedings and their families and produce work of an excellent standard which provides recommendations based upon sound evidence based analysis.
Benefits offered Cardiff is frequently found at the top of lists of best cities in the UK to live in so come join us and see what we can offer.
- A generous annual leave entitlement starting at 28 days per year to a maximum of 33 days per year after 5 years, with the option to purchase additional annual leave to a maximum of 10 days.
- Our working culture is flexible, with a flexi scheme allowing you to work to a schedule that suits you
- Hybrid working - supporting you to flexibly deliver your role whether on visits, from an office or your home
- Access to the Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Pension Fund which is part of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), offering a reputable, secure and flexible pension plan for peace of mind.
This is just some of what Cardiff has to offer, take a look at our Social Work website for more information about all our benefits and hear from some of our social workers, talking about why cardiff is the place to be.
- Home - Social Work Cardiff : Social Work Cardiff
What We Are Looking For From YouYou will have undertaken assessments using the DOH Framework of assessment and have knowledge and understanding of the principals of the NSPCC Reunification framework. You will understand the impact of trauma both on parents' capacity and on the child's needs and be able to ascertain if the parent(s) has capacity to meet the needs of the individual child. You will require the skills to overcome barriers to engagement during the assessment process and tailor your assessments to the learning styles of parents.
Your assessments will draw upon the knowledge of other professionals working with the child and their family and exploring the informal support networks available to the parents to assist them in the parenting role.
Additional informationWith effect from 1st April 2025, this role attracts a market supplement of £5,000 (full time equivalent). (£48,693 - £51,731). This payment is reviewed on a 12 monthly basis.
This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced check.
This post has a requirement for registration with Social Care Wales.
Safeguarding and Child Protection are key priorities for the Council. We aim to support children and vulnerable adults to ensure they are as safe as they can possibly be. Our services and schools are committed to ensuring the safety and protection of all children and vulnerable adults, and will take action to safeguard their well-being, and acknowledge that children and vulnerable adults have a right to protection. This is supported in the general ethos of the Council and all schools.
This vacancy is suitable for post share.
We welcome applications in both English and Welsh. Applications received in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than English applications.
Due to the current interim working arrangements, we are unable to provide recruitment packs or accept application forms via the post.
If you have any concerns around your ability to participate in a virtual interview process, please contact Laura.white3@cardiff.gov.uk for a discussion.
Please note the Council does not accept CV's. When completing the supporting information section of your application, please ensure you refer to the below located on our website :
Important information you need read in order to complete your application: -
- Application Guidance
- Applying for jobs with us
- Behavioural Competency Framework
Additional Information: -
- Employee Charter
- Recruitment of Ex-Offenders
- Privacy Notice
Atodiadau
- Job Description and Person Specification
