Job Introduction
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Social Worker to join our team at HM YOI Werrington, set in the picturesque district of the Staffordshire Moorlands.
As a dedicated Social Worker, you will be an integral member of a multi-agency team where you will have a role working with those children identified as being most vulnerable and where the greatest risk to their safety and wellbeing exists, including where they may be supported by or eligible for service from local authority Children’s Social Care Services.
The specific intention of this Social Worker is:
- to support looked after children and children in need in custody
- to support Governors in meeting their statutory duties under section 11 of the Children Act 2004
- to ensure Local Authorities meet their own responsibilities towards children in custody in accordance with the Children Act 1989 and subsequent legislation.
Main Responsibility
As a Social Worker, you will :
- offer a full induction with the young person explaining fully the social work role and ensure they have all what they should have and need.
- arrange forums, induct new staff explain the social work role in YOI.
- be visible and see the boys to promote their well-being and ensure their voice is heard.
- advise Senior Youth Custody Service (YCS) Managers on all Child Protection issues, both legal as well as practice issues.
- advise and support the safeguarding team on making child protection (s47) or child in need (s17) referrals to the relevant authority where appropriate.
- process referrals to Staffordshire’s referral team SCAS
- screen use of force (UOF) restraints and attend Review of Restraint meetings.
- managing and minimising physical restraint
- work with the LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) and the establishment Child Protection Coordinator where there are allegations against members of staff (voluntary and paid employees/volunteers).
- assist in the development and updating of children’s safeguarding policies and procedures within the establishment.
- have oversight of asset information to determine whether they are CLA, LASPO, relevant, former relevant.
- document information on SBAR and WRM for child exploitation.
- support placement referrals to Secure Children’s Home (SCH), Secure Training Centre (STC) and other YOI’s
- liaise and have input with resettlement, health, mental health, psychologist teams.
- attend Children in Care Reviews
- support and escalate where placements aren’t available at release
- liaise with other Local Authorities, parents and external agencies.
- offer safeguarding training to Youth Justice Workers.
The Ideal Candidate
It goes without saying, you will need a professional social work qualification (with Social Work England registration).
You’ll also need:
- significant post qualified experience ideally to include experience working in a HM Youth Offending Institute environment, however for the right candidate it is not a necessity to have worked in a custodial environment as full training will be given
But above all, you’ll bring the desire to work with and advocate for some of our most vulnerable children. Keeping their welfare and safety at the forefront of all that you do.
For more information and an informal chat please contact Team Manager Angela Cooke on 01538 483129 or angela.cooke1@staffordshire.gov.uk
The interview date will be confirmed.
Please note the job description attached is the generic job description for a social worker but the job advertised is as described above.
Our Recruitment Process: We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you’ll bring to the role.
About Staffordshire County Council
We are no ordinary county council:
Our Values:
The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.
Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:
We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.
We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.
Our benefits:
We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.
In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire
Our recruitment process:
As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities
As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
As you’ll know safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people/vulnerable adults is important to us and that’s why this position is subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. If applicable you should disclose details of unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form.
Attached documents
