Principal Social Worker

Integrated Services Programme (ISP)
Principal Social Worker

Contract:

Full Time, Permanent
Salary:
Up to £44,000 per annum
Base

Location:

South London
Core

Hours:

35 hours per week, 09:00 - 17:00, Monday - Friday

Benefits

30 days' annual leave, rising to 35 days with length of service, plus bank holidays

Company pension

Life Assurance

Employee Discount Scheme

ISP South London is currently recruiting a Principal Social Worker. Working with the Registered Manager, the Principal Social Worker will develop and manage the service while promoting the ISP therapeutic ethos for employees, Foster Parents and young people to support them to meet their full potential.

The Principal Social Worker will provide day-to-day operational support to the Registered Manager, taking a collaborative approach with Foster Parents in order to identify how the Centre teams and other ISP services can best provide appropriate input to the placement, ensuring that there is access to the range of disciplines within ISP.

To ensure that the safety and welfare of all young people placed at ISP is promoted and that their best interests are at the centre of our thinking and planning.

Requirements

Hold a recognised social work qualification, current registration with Social Work England and post-qualifying and supervisory experience as a social worker

Previous experience of fostering and children and families social work

Experience of supervising staff is desirable

Able to challenge effectively

Able to engage others, demonstrate teamwork and bring creative flair

A comprehensive working knowledge of all relevant legislation pertaining to fostering and children's services as well as publications which inform current thinking regarding good practice and the safeguarding of children

Full driving licence with access to a vehicle for work purposes

Core Tasks

Provide day-to-day operational support to the Registered Manager to oversee all the staff working in the registration and the services delivered, ensuring that children are receiving foster care and additional services of the highest standard

Ensure that all relevant statutory and regulatory requirements are complied with in daily operations

Undertake the supervision and performance appraisal of identified staff members

Work collaboratively with Foster Parents, enlisting and valuing their expertise and experience

Understand and enjoy the challenge of working with children with trauma backgrounds in order to play a key role in extending ISP's expertise and reputation for success

Facilitate strong, positive relationships within the Polaris Community, with other staff, across all services and with external partners to contribute to increasing the quality of services offered to, and the opportunities and progress enjoyed by children

Develop relationships with external partners, working collaboratively to anticipate and resolve childcare and service issues

Make a positive contribution towards the agency's development plans

Hold a caseload of Foster Parents as appropriate and when required by the service

Carry out other work or projects as required and agreed with the Registered Manager

Deputise for the Registered Manager, including attending meetings, chairing team meetings and Foster Parent Support Groups

Staff Management Responsibilities

Regular formal and informal supervision of staff as detailed in the supervision agreement

Recruit and select staff

Ensure the appropriate induction of newly appointed staff is completed

Complete probation reviews and annual appraisals in line with ISP's policies and procedures

Comply with the equal opportunities policy and procedure in all employment practices

Contribute to the development of social work practice within the service

Business and Commercial Responsibilities

Meet with commissioning teams to discuss individual packages of care and/or service development opportunities

Represent ISP Fostering in a business capacity

Contribute towards the growth and development of the business by implementing key areas identified in the business plan agreed through supervision

Ensure a team understanding of the different placement packages and identify recharges where appropriate

Supervision and Support of Foster Parents

Monitor the suitability and competence of Foster Parents, ensuring they provide a safe, healthy, nurturing and learning environment for children and young people

Ensure that Foster Parents fully understand the fostering task, competencies to be achieved and the standards expected, including complaints and…