Social Worker - Safeguarding Adults

Role Responsibility

Safeguarding Adults represents one of the most significant activities in KCC’s Adult Social Care and Health Department. Since 2018 we have seen the benefits of managing Safeguarding Services through dedicated teams of specialist practitioners and are now well established in this approach. A rare opportunity has arisen for a Registered Social Worker to join our dynamic and supportive safeguarding team covering Shepway, Dover & Deal and Thanet.

We are looking for a social worker with a relevant qualification and experience to be involved in the delivery of our statutory safeguarding duties to a high standard. You will work under the direction of skilled and experienced Senior Practitioners to undertake safeguarding enquiries on behalf of the Local Authority. You will work in collaboration with colleagues from other agencies (e.g. Health, Police, CQC and Commissioning).

The following information is highlighted to help you understand the role's key priorities. Discussion with the recruiting manager might assist you to have a fuller appreciation of the job role.

What the Role involves:

• Be the Inquiry Officer allocated to specific safeguarding concerns and enquiries which require Social Work capability within the parameters of the Directorate’s agreed policies and procedures.  Pro-actively work towards the timely resolution, recording and closure of safeguarding enquiries in line with agreed timescales and team performance frameworks.
• Identify and process any safeguarding and ‘quality of care’ issues linking closely with Commissioning Teams to ensure appropriate action is taken to protect and promote people’s welfare.  Refer appropriate issues to the relevant agencies (e.g. CQC; NHS; Police) and internal teams in a timely manner to ensure that the quality and standard of services provided are at agreed levels.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with health professionals, private providers and voluntary sector and local referral management services to ensure the smooth transition of clients through the system. Develop effective working relationships with Adult Social Care colleagues in other teams and functions across the OPPD Operating Model, and within the Central Referral Unit (Safeguarding); to support efficient and timely inter-team working.
• Communicate effectively with adults at risk and their families/ advocates, on a range of issues. Provide appropriate intervention in difficult and complex personal and family relationships. Promote independence through the provision of information, services and equipment to manage risk.  Ensure that safeguarding activity conducted promotes safety, independence and well-being.

A relevant registered professional Social Work qualification is required.

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.

The administrative base will be Thistley Hill, Dover but you will be required to work across the whole safeguarding team dependent upon business needs.

The ability to travel across a wide geographical area in a timely and flexible
manner at various times of the day is essential. You should note that public
transport is rarely a viable option as some rural areas of Kent often have limited
public transport.

This post is considered by KCC 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.

Interview Date:  7^th February 2022

Contact Details

For further information on this role, please contact Janette Janes 03000 413266

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.