Job summary
Integrated Front Door - Empowering Families, Protecting Futures
Are you an experienced Social Worker who excels in supporting children and families within crisis? Join our Out Of Hours service in the Integrated Front Door (IFD) for a rewarding opportunity.
Experience a "seamless service" with a balanced work-life schedule, transitioning between day and night shifts. The role doesn't involve case-holding, as long-term work is delegated to our Support and Safeguarding Teams.
Main duties of the job
This role involves collaboration with daytime services and area teams, ensuring a consistent approach at the forefront of delivery in Wiltshire. Unlike traditional case holding, it allows direct contact with children, primarily through phone communication and emergency visits.
As an Out Of Hours Social Worker, your focus is on efficiently recognising and managing risk, fostering positive opportunities for Wiltshire's youth. Independence in conducting visits outside regular hours is crucial, encompassing welfare calls/visits, crisis management, and collaboration on s.47 enquiries.
While predominantly Out Of Hours, you'll spend some days in our MASH, remotely engaging with partners, family members, and young people to make threshold decisions.
In addition to possessing the required Social Work qualifications and registration with Social Work England, we seek individuals who share our vision. In return, we will provide you with the comprehensive support and guidance you need to excel in your role and make a lasting difference.
About us
Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. That's why we focus on getting the things that matter to our people right.
We achieved an Outstanding rating from Ofsted in September 2023, with the IFD receiving positive inspection feedback. Our service offers a 24/7, 365-day response to concerns for children and young people. We offer a single access point for all contacts and referrals aligning with statutory and local guidelines for child safety and wellbeing.
A 20% unsocial hours payment and a 2.5% recruitment and retention payment applies to Out Of Hours social workers in the Integrated Front Door.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This critical emergency service role operates outside office hours and encompasses diverse responsibilities under the Children Act 1989.
Tasks include section 47 investigations, strategy discussions, risk assessments for children, collaboration with law enforcement and partner agencies, promoting child welfare, and supporting families in crisis.
The role extends to aiding minors in police custody, providing housing for vulnerable individuals, coordinating assessments, supervising staff, and fostering effective partnerships.
Essential aspects involve timely report preparation, anti-discriminatory practice promotion, and active engagement in professional supervision and personal development. The role also includes liaising with health and social work staff, participating in emergency planning, and attending daytime meetings as required.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This critical emergency service role operates outside office hours and encompasses diverse responsibilities under the Children Act 1989.
Tasks include section 47 investigations, strategy discussions, risk assessments for children, collaboration with law enforcement and partner agencies, promoting child welfare, and supporting families in crisis.
The role extends to aiding minors in police custody, providing housing for vulnerable individuals, coordinating assessments, supervising staff, and fostering effective partnerships.
Essential aspects involve timely report preparation, anti-discriminatory practice promotion, and active engagement in professional supervision and personal development. The role also includes liaising with health and social work staff, participating in emergency planning, and attending daytime meetings as required.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of at least 3 years post-qualification practice in Child Protection related work.
- Extensive knowledge and experience in all child related law e.g. 1989 Children Act and updates, Leaving Care Act, Police and Criminal Evidence Act, Human Rights Act, Immigration and Asylum, etc.
- Extensive knowledge and experience in the law as it relates to social care assessment.
- Experience in training and development of staff and supporting and mentoring less experienced social workers.
- Qualified and experienced at undertaking Safeguarding investigations.
- To be trained and have experience of undertaking ABE interviews as part of s47 enquiries or willingness to undertake training to be able to do so.
Desirable
- Experience of working in an out of hours service.
- Practice Educator experience and training.
Qualifications
Essential
- Professional Social Work Qualification with evidence of post-qualifying learning and development (e.g. Diploma or Master) including fully trained and qualified in Child Protection Joint Investigation SW.
- Registered with Social Work England as a Social Worker.
Desirable
- Coaching, mentoring or management training or qualification.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of at least 3 years post-qualification practice in Child Protection related work.
- Extensive knowledge and experience in all child related law e.g. 1989 Children Act and updates, Leaving Care Act, Police and Criminal Evidence Act, Human Rights Act, Immigration and Asylum, etc.
- Extensive knowledge and experience in the law as it relates to social care assessment.
- Experience in training and development of staff and supporting and mentoring less experienced social workers.
- Qualified and experienced at undertaking Safeguarding investigations.
- To be trained and have experience of undertaking ABE interviews as part of s47 enquiries or willingness to undertake training to be able to do so.
Desirable
- Experience of working in an out of hours service.
- Practice Educator experience and training.
Qualifications
Essential
- Professional Social Work Qualification with evidence of post-qualifying learning and development (e.g. Diploma or Master) including fully trained and qualified in Child Protection Joint Investigation SW.
- Registered with Social Work England as a Social Worker.
Desirable
- Coaching, mentoring or management training or qualification.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
