Experienced Social Worker

Role Responsibility

Do you want to work in an Outstanding Local Authority? Ofsted have recently awarded Kent with an Outstanding rating in recognition of the service we provide to our children. We are now looking for experienced Social Workers who can lend their skills and experience to help us build on our successes. We have an exciting vacancy within North Kent Children Care Service for an experienced Social Worker. The successful candidate will be welcomed into one of our 5 Teams and will be based at The Willows in Swanley, working across the area of North Kent.

About the area and Team

The Children in Care Service cover the whole of North Kent, supporting the areas of Dartford, Gravesham and Swale and is a mix of urban and rural communities. Therefore, you will be required to work across the operational area of North Kent.

The right team needs the right managers. And ours have a well-deserved reputation for being supportive and giving regular, quality supervision. There are also many credible expert practitioners to learn from and you will find them approachable and keen to help. Sharing knowledge is part of who we are. Together, our teams deliver strengthened services and improved outcomes for children.

About you

Professionally registered with a degree in social work – CQSW, DipSW or equivalent – you’ll have a variety of post-qualification experience of working with children and families. Your experience should cover systemic practice, and you will need an in-depth understanding of legislative and policy frameworks.

Along with a willingness to learn and develop as a practitioner, being a team player is essential in any social work team. You’ll build relationships with colleagues, as well as statutory, voluntary and private sector agencies.

Acting as a role model and mentor to less experienced colleagues, you will contribute to training initiatives. And, proactively maintaining your awareness of changes in child development theories, legislation, policies and practices, you will share your knowledge and uphold high standards of social work.

Rewards

In return, we offer an attractive benefits package and a commitment to ensuring that you achieve a healthy work life balance with flexible working arrangements and an emphasis on health and well-being.

You will also have a range of professional development opportunities including the exciting social care academy and routes for progression.

Transport

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wide operational area including travelling around the county of Kent and beyond to transport children and their belongings and be available to do so in an emergency.

This role is subject to holding a Full UK Driving Licence – The Council is committed to making reasonable adjustments so whilst this job requires the jobholder to drive your application will still be considered if you are unable to drive due to a disability.

This post is considered by Kent County Council to be a customer facing position.  The Council therefore has a statutory duty under part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English/Welsh Sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements.  The appropriate standards are set out in the job description/person specification.

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure application to the Disclosure and Barring service and registration as a qualified Social Worker with Social Work England.

Salary is dependent on experience and progression through the career grade is based on the fulfilment of required capabilities. Applicants must be able to evidence that they have successfully progressed to the required competency level via a recognised career progression pathway when they submit their application.

Interview:

Interviews will take place w/c 14 November and will include a task, which will be sent prior to interview.

Contact Details

For more information on this role please contact, Megan Turner – Team Manager – megan.turner@kent.gov.uk

About the Company

KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds and faiths, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.

Please note – if you are interested, please apply as soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.