Time Square, Bracknell (Hybrid)
Permanent, Flexible hours, Part time
Enhanced DBS check required
£55,326 - £58,373 FTE inclusive of London Weighting and Essential Car User Allowance (£33,21- £35,408 pro rata for 22.2 hours per week)
22.2 hours
What we’re looking for…
The children and young people we work with have told us they want social workers to:
- Be friendly, fun and energetic;
- Listen respectfully, take action and stick to deadlines;
- Keep promises, be accessible and on time
We are looking for experienced practitioners who are talented, passionate and reliable. You will have current registration with Social Work England and have experience of working within the legal frameworks that support our work; with good assessment and analytical skills, and experience in completing Form F, Special Guardianship and Connected Person Assessments as well as supervising and supporting our existing Foster Carers.
You will have a sound knowledge of relevant child care legislation, good report writing and oral communication skills and the ability to work to court and Fostering Panel timescales.
As a team we would like practitioners who share our commitment to better outcomes for children, people who are organised and skilled in effective engagement of families.
If you have the skills, knowledge, experience and enthusiasm we are looking for, and if you want to work for a local authority that values and invests in staff, we would love to hear from you.
What is it like working in our team…
We know that social work, whilst rewarding, is not always easy. To support high quality consistent social work, we have a comprehensive learning and development offer, driven by our passionate Principal Social Worker. We have resilience groups, well-being days and events, group supervision as well as peer support. Each team has dedicated admin support.
The Family Placement Team is a small but very supportive team. The work we do can be challenging and we understand the importance of peer support and advice.
We work closely together and alongside the children’s social workers to ensure that we are providing the best support to our vulnerable children.
Our social workers have the time to get to know everyone they work with, excellent support from managers and colleagues across the department and expert guidance whenever they need it.
As we continue our Covid recovery journey; our main priority is to provide our workers with a secure physical and psychological base from which to work safely and effectively.
Our workforce tells us:
- There is a supportive and approachable leadership and management team.
- All teams offer each other good peer support; there is a strong focus on shared problem solving.
- They feel appreciated and their development is prioritised.
- Supervision is of high quality, reflective and routinely provided.
The benefits you will experience are…
- Generous annual leave of 28 days increasing to 33 days after 3 years’ service (pro rata for part time)
- Opportunities for flexible and agile working, to support our employees’ work-life balance.
- Annual leave purchase policy.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave.
- Career development through internal and external training opportunities.
- Local government pension scheme.
- Life insurance cover.
- A great office location next to travel links and the regenerated town centre.
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support employees’ health and wellbeing.
- An inclusive and social working environment with a variety of staff networks including sports and social clubs.
- Staff dental and health plans.
- Discounted leisure centre and gym membership.
- Supermarket discount.
You will be supported to carry out the following duties, responsibilities and training…
- Support the management of the Family Placement Team working alongside another Assistant Team Manager and supporting the Team Manager. The team consists of social workers, family workers, marketing and publicity officers and Business support. To ensure the efficient and effective delivery of the required services by staff members, managing to clear objectives and targets.
- Manage and develop the range of services provided by the team, covering, fostering, short break care, supported lodgings, Special Guardianship, and private fostering. Ensure that these services meet the required national standards, in line with relevant legislation and regulations.
- To undertake responsibility for operational issues within the Family Placement Team. To chair foster carer reviews, attend Foster Panel as Panel Advisor and other meetings as requested.
Interview date
Interviews will be held on Thursday 12th September 2024
Interviews will be conducted in person, providing candidates with the chance to personally meet the team and experience our work environment. Additionally, this approach allows the recruiting manager and the team to establish connections with potential team members.
We will be reviewing applications regularly and reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified. To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible.
Want to ask us a question?
For an informal discussion or to ask any questions about this role, please contact:
Sam Howard, Team Manager, Family Placement Team: Phone Number: 01344 351658
At Bracknell Forest we champion equality, diversity and inclusion. At Bracknell Forest Council, we are always learning, ambition and inclusive. Please see our candidate pack for more details.
Bracknell Forest Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. We expect everyone employed with us to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to a DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check as part of our pre-employment checks process.
Candidates should be able to demonstrate experience of working within the current Social Care System and Framework.
Social Work England registration fees can be claimed back from the Council.
We can only accept applications from candidates currently residing in the UK.
Any candidates that are currently residing in the UK and wishing to apply who would require sponsorship can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for the role by assessing their circumstances against the relevant criteria.
No agencies please.
ATM_FS_-_JDPS_-_Aug_24.pdf
Candidate_Pack_-_People_Directorate_-_August_24.pdf