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
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.
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
Why us?
Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. Thats why we focus on getting the things that matter to our people right.
A 20% unsocial hours payment and a 2.5% recruitment and retention payment applies toOut Of Hours social workers in the Integrated Front Door.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This post provides an effective emergency service outside of office hours.
Specific duties and responsibilities include:
Undertaking section 47 investigations, under the Children Act 1989.
To undertake strategy discussions with, or on behalf of, the duty manager and implement and
monitor the decision made to safeguard the child and support the family.
Assess risks to children and ensure measures are in place to safeguard them.
To work in conjunction with police and other partnership agencies.
To actively promote the welfare of children within the County.
Support and advise families seeking refuge from domestic violence.
Provide support to facilitate accommodation for minors under YOT guidance who have been
in police custody.
Act as an appropriate adult under PACE for minors.
Provide housing for vulnerable customers in priority need.
Assess the needs of unaccompanied minors.
Provide assistance under s17 for families in need.
Provide support to and advise LAC and their carers.
To undertake and co-ordinate assessments and investigations under the Children Act 1989.
Co-ordinate and prioritise work flow, on a daily / shift basis.
Supervision and coordination of staff i.e. information officers and provide consultation for
colleagues as required. Professional supervision of unqualified staff and students where
appropriate.
Preparation of all reports on an electronic system and ensuring that all relevant agencies
receive reports by 9 am the following working day.
Provision of services to children and young people to support them in kinship connections at
times of crisis to avoid inappropriate admission to foster or residential care especially out of
county resources. Negotiation with family members and friends to seek community based
solution to identified needs.
Coordinating of emergency planning procedures and services out of hours.
Attend day time meetings as appropriate.
Participate in regular professional supervision, both individual and group and take active
responsibility for personal development and appraisal.
Establish appropriate relationships with service users, their families, carers and external
agencies, promoting anti-discriminatory practice and equality.
Enabling effective partnership in the delivery of services.
Liaise with health staff in primary or secondary care.
Liaise with social work staff in other teams e.g. Adult Care and Children & Families Service as
appropriate and facilitate communication for other multi-disciplinary team members if
necessary.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This post provides an effective emergency service outside of office hours.
Specific duties and responsibilities include:
Undertaking section 47 investigations, under the Children Act 1989.
To undertake strategy discussions with, or on behalf of, the duty manager and implement and
monitor the decision made to safeguard the child and support the family.
Assess risks to children and ensure measures are in place to safeguard them.
To work in conjunction with police and other partnership agencies.
To actively promote the welfare of children within the County.
Support and advise families seeking refuge from domestic violence.
Provide support to facilitate accommodation for minors under YOT guidance who have been
in police custody.
Act as an appropriate adult under PACE for minors.
Provide housing for vulnerable customers in priority need.
Assess the needs of unaccompanied minors.
Provide assistance under s17 for families in need.
Provide support to and advise LAC and their carers.
To undertake and co-ordinate assessments and investigations under the Children Act 1989.
Co-ordinate and prioritise work flow, on a daily / shift basis.
Supervision and coordination of staff i.e. information officers and provide consultation for
colleagues as required. Professional supervision of unqualified staff and students where
appropriate.
Preparation of all reports on an electronic system and ensuring that all relevant agencies
receive reports by 9 am the following working day.
Provision of services to children and young people to support them in kinship connections at
times of crisis to avoid inappropriate admission to foster or residential care especially out of
county resources. Negotiation with family members and friends to seek community based
solution to identified needs.
Coordinating of emergency planning procedures and services out of hours.
Attend day time meetings as appropriate.
Participate in regular professional supervision, both individual and group and take active
responsibility for personal development and appraisal.
Establish appropriate relationships with service users, their families, carers and external
agencies, promoting anti-discriminatory practice and equality.
Enabling effective partnership in the delivery of services.
Liaise with health staff in primary or secondary care.
Liaise with social work staff in other teams e.g. Adult Care and Children & Families Service as
appropriate and facilitate communication for other multi-disciplinary team members if
necessary.
Person Specification
Experience
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 the Social Work England as a Social Worker.
- 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.
- Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
- Ability to manage and prioritise demanding high risk work load.
- 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.
- Ability to use and understand a range of Microsoft and electronic social care record software (e.g. liquid logic) and performance reports.
Desirable
- Coaching, mentoring or management training or qualification.
- Experience of working in an out of hours service.
- Practice Educator experience and training.
- Knowledge of the 1983 Mental Health Act and the Mental capacity Act 2005.
Person Specification
Experience
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 the Social Work England as a Social Worker.
- 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.
- Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
- Ability to manage and prioritise demanding high risk work load.
- 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.
- Ability to use and understand a range of Microsoft and electronic social care record software (e.g. liquid logic) and performance reports.
Desirable
- Coaching, mentoring or management training or qualification.
- Experience of working in an out of hours service.
- Practice Educator experience and training.
- Knowledge of the 1983 Mental Health Act and the Mental capacity Act 2005.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
