Experienced Social Worker [Childrens Social Care]

Experienced Social Worker [Children’s Social Care]

Pay Band L / SCP 32-33

£40,221 - £41,418 per annum [additional payments available via EDT working] 

 Ref: CVP 0124A RC

 Are you looking for your next step in Children’s Social Care? 

‘Knowsley Council is an award-winning Local Authority, named Local Authority of the Year in the MJ Awards 2024.  Come join us and be part of our future success!’ 

We have vacancies for Experienced Social Workers across our Children’s Service. 

Here at Knowsley, we are committed to our children and families and we work hard to improve outcomes for our community.  We have high aspirations for the children and young people we support and through innovation and investment we have a positive impact on family’s lives.  At Knowsley, we believe, ‘We Are Better Together.’ 

We are currently seeking applications from Experienced Social Workers who share our vision for Knowsley.  We want to be a place where all our children have the best start in life, where every family thrives and where all our young people aim high and achieve their potential.

‘There are many opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge. Managers recognise your potential and support your progression. Positive outcomes and feedback is recognised and acknowledged by senior management…. Knowsley is a great place to work’ - (Experienced Social Worker). 

Child Protection Service

Social workers in our Child Protection Teams support children and their families via Child in Need Plans, Child Protection Plans and PLO Pre-Proceedings. Our small teams each have five social workers, an Advanced Social Worker and Team Manager. You will be supported to develop a relationship with your manager, have regular supervision, support from our Quality Assurance Team, excellent training opportunities and access to tools and resources to assist in your day-to-day practice.

 Cared For Children Service 

 Supporting our children is all about ensuring children in our care receive an excellent parenting whatever setting they are living in with the same life chances as any other young person. 

The focus within the service is where you assess, review and support children and young people who live in long term care arrangements. This gives you the opportunity to get to know a Child/Young person and be part of their development and achievements looking to support them either to be reunified with family or a move through to independence. 

Social workers within our Cared for Children teams are committed to supporting our children to have a great childhood and future outcomes.

Children with Disabilities Team

Our CWD team is essential, and this roles offers an exciting opportunity to work closely with disabled children, young people and their families in our community.  We work in partnership with families and our multi agency colleagues to secure the best possible outcomes for children and young people, maximising their life changes and opportunities.

This is a rewarding role where you will be supporting children and young people with complex needs.  You will be able to evidence a strong ability to gather and analyse information, completing robust assessments and formulating outcome focused plans.  We aim to promote the strengths of our children and their families to help them achieve their aspirations and the outcomes they desire. 

Fostering

Supporting our children is all about ensuring children in our care receive an excellent parenting whatever setting they are living in with the same life chances as any other young person.

In this service you will find an experienced management team managing two teams – one specialises in the recruitment and support of mainstream foster carers and the other undertakes fostering and SGO assessments in a timely manner, developing clear and focused plans as well as undertaking the role of Supervising Social Worker within the mainstream fostering team.

 How to Apply:

You can book an interview now! 

We are holding fortnightly interview panels - there’s no lengthy application forms, no shortlisting, just book an interview at a time that’s convenient for you. You can also view job descriptions and the benefits of working for Knowsley. 

If you want to be part of a welcoming, friendly, supportive social work team, book an interview and send your CV and supporting statement to take the first step in joining us.  

We promote applications from all sections of the community, regardless of background, belief, or identity, recognising the value that diversity brings to our organisation. We particularly welcome applications from individuals from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and candidates with disabilities as we acknowledge their underrepresentation in our workforce. 

At Knowsley Council we will consider requests for flexible working. For most roles, the following types of flexibility are usually possible: flexible hours, working from home, compressed hours, part-time.

Please note - In order to apply for a Social Work role with Knowsley you must have the right to work in the UK and hold either a work permit or a visa.  Proof of these documents will be required with your application.   At this current time, Knowsley Council are unable to provide sponsorship for international applicants. 

In some circumstance a relocation package may be available.

What you can expect from us:

• We are a Disability Confident Employer, meaning we offer Inclusive & accessible recruitment, offering an interview to disabled people, providing reasonable adjustments, & supporting existing employees.
• Differentiated sickness absence for individuals living with a disability.
• Menopause policy supporting women in the workplace.
• Generous Holiday Entitlement: starting at 28 days leave with an option to buy additional 10 days leave
• Flexible working, Hybrid working arrangements & family friendly initiatives; Our flexible working scheme allows you to manage your hours & plan your life more easily
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Newley Developed Bespoke Four-Week Induction Programme
• High Quality IT Kit supporting agile working arrangements
• Manageable Workloads - directors of our service work closely with the Heads of Service & Team Managers to ensure caseloads are manageable & you are supported.
• Learning & Career Development: We have a wide range of blended learning opportunities available to all employees, which will be relevant to your job & progression
• A range of Workers Groups, g., Black & Minority Workers' Group, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Forum, Neurodiverse Staff Support Group.
• Well-being Support: We want to improve the well-being of our employees both in & out of the workplace
• Apprenticeship Offer
• Secondment Opportunities
• MyTime – our monthly supervisions scheduled with you. This is your one-to-one time solely focused on your career development
• Reflective Supervision - 4 weekly
• Access to Signs of Safety Group Supervision
• Newly Developed Progression Pathway
• Learning at Work Week: A yearly celebration awards to recognise & celebrate individual practice across the council.
• Visible Leadership with Monthly Principle Social Worker (PSW) drop-in sessions
• Themed Practice Learning Week: Providing a range of bitesize learning opportunities.
• Currently Offering Free Parking
• Cycle to Work Scheme: We are committed to greener transport solutions. Our scheme entitles you to significant discounts on the price of a new bike & safety equipment.
• bank holidays.
• Eye Tests: We provide all display screen users with a free eye test on request. We have a corporate eye care scheme which includes a contribution to the cost of glasses
• Childcare Vouchers
• Discounted Gym Membership
• Credit Union Membership
• VIVUP Discounts & Savings The program offers a staff discount scheme.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applicants.

For further details about available posts, please contact:

 Sarah Bird, Child Protection Team Manager on 0151 443 5050 or via email at sarah.bird@knowsley.gov.uk

Rebecca Woods, Cared for Children Team Manager, Rebecca.Woods@knowsley.gov.uk

 Michelle Jones, Children with Disabilities Team Manager, Michelle-Louise.Jones@knowsley.gov.uk

 Gresty, Rebekah Gresty, Fostering Team Manager, Rebekah.Gresty@knowsley.gov.uk

Closing Date: Sunday, 11 August 2024