Assessing Social Worker - Kinship bei London Borough of Lewisham

Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities!

We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.

Introduction

An exciting opportunity is available as an assessing social worker in the kinship service – Special Guardianship and Connected Person Assessment team.

We are seeking an experienced social worker to join the Special Guardianship and Connected Person Assessment team.

What’s the role?

The Special Guardianship and Connected Person Assessment Team is looking for an experienced social worker to join the team. The team complete viability assessments, full connected carer assessment and special guardianship assessments in partnership with children social work team and fostering service.

The post holder would be required to work closely with children social work teams, fostering service and the Special Guardianship Post Order Support Team.  You will need to offer support, advice, and guidance to social work teams, where needed, in assisting them to complete regulation 24 assessments.

You will be the named coordinator for connected carer and special guardianship assessments. This role will also require you to jointly formulate SGO support plans with the allocated child’s social worker and supervising social workers (where applicable). You will also need to lead on taking cases to fostering panel for carers who have had a positive connected carer assessment, and attend court hearing where directed.

The team aim is to undertake robust, analytical, trauma informed and evidence-based assessments in supporting children and young people to remain in the care of birth family where possible.

What’s in it for you?

Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday allowance
• Local Government Pension scheme
• Flexible working and family friendly policies
• Season ticket and bicycle loans
• A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
• Supportive staff networks

What we’re looking for

You will have experience in:

• A good knowledge and understanding of the relevant legislation and guidance that underpins social work practice and assessments.
• Ability to produce good analytical quality case reports, assessments and correspondence for a variety of readership, including other agencies and service users.
• Undertake succinct and concise timely and robust assessments within agreed timescales to achieve best outcomes for children and young people.
• A sound knowledge of child development and the effects of trauma, separation, change and loss
• A good working knowledge of word processing software and IT systems
• A good standard of written recording is expected and to maintain accurate records all work undertaken on behalf of the Directorate.
• Strong report writing skills, the ability to gather comprehensive information and trauma informed assessments, and the capacity and ability to work efficiently to meet court deadlines and meet competing demands.
• An ability to participate effectively in duty systems for the service unit, as appropriate.
• An ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships at appropriate levels with other agencies relevant to the work of the unit, and adopt strategic methods of striving to work effectively with others.
• An ability to work as a team player and support the learning and development of others where needed, and be part of the duty system rota. 
• An ability to work jointly with other services in the interest of achieving best outcomes of our children and young people. 
• Experiencing of attending court hearings and fostering panel

Location

The job is primarily based in Laurence House, Catford, London, SE6 4RU, but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis.

Special conditions

• The post holder must have a social work qualification and be registered with Social Work England
• The job is subject to a DBS check (Basic/Enhanced)

The recruitment process is anonymous and we don’t accept CV’s.

Applicant handbook - please read the guidance in this handbook when applying. It is essential that you complete the application fully and that your supporting statement covers how you meet each of the person specification criteria listed.

For an informal discussion about this job, please contact [email protected]

Please click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification

Please click here for a letter from our Director

Please click here for our visons and values

Salary

£45,852 - £47,925 per annum (SCP 31-33 / SW)

N.B: All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.

Diversity

Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply

The Council has a dedicated employment support service, Lewisham Works, which offers Lewisham residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you want to join Lewisham Works, please email [email protected] and an advisor will be in touch with you.

The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.

Let’s stay connected, follow us on social media:

LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram

N.B: All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.

Diversity

Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply

The Council has a dedicated employment support service, Lewisham Works, which offers Lewisham residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you want to join Lewisham Works, please email [email protected] and an advisor will be in touch with you.

The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.

Let’s stay connected, follow us on social media:

LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram

N.B: All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.

Diversity

Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply

The Council has a dedicated employment support service, Lewisham Works, which offers Lewisham residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you want to join Lewisham Works, please email [email protected] and an advisor will be in touch with you.

The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.

Let’s stay connected, follow us on social media:

LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram