Social Worker - Support & Safeguarding Pods

Job Information

Achieving for Children is a Community Interest Company that has a public sector ethos, combined with the freedom to innovate enabling us to do things differently. As a not-for-profit social enterprise owned by three local authorities (Windsor & Maidenhead, Kingston and Richmond), we offer the freedoms of a social enterprise with the employment benefits of local government. To find out more about us.

We’re proud that Ofsted has rated our Windsor and Maidenhead services as Good, recognising our commitment to delivering consistent, high-quality support for children and families.

Social workers will be part of a Pod managed by an Assistant Team Manager and overseen by the Team Manager. The Social Workers are responsible for managing a caseload of children and young people and completing assessments, direct work and interventions with them and their families. They will work effectively in line with legislation and AfC policies and procedures to :

• Safeguard and promote the welfare of children in line with the Children Acts 1989 and 2004, Children and Families Act 2014, and working Together to Safeguard Children guidance, giving due consideration to their race, culture, religion and linguistic background.
• Carry a caseload and be responsible for assessment and planning for children and young people in compliance with casework objectives, statutory and departmental policy and procedural requirements, consistently maintaining the highest level of professional standards.
• Undertake direct social work responsibilities as an allocated worker to the children and young people assigned, investigating concerns regarding a child or young person’s safety or wellbeing, make an assessment of the risk and protective factors in the family and decide on the most appropriate course of action.
• To ensure the provision of clear written reports to child protection conferences, reviews, planning meetings and any other purpose as required, ensuring good quality casework analysis and risk assessment is evident throughout. Reports and case notes prepared for Court are of high quality, to support giving evidence in Court, as required. Case recording to effectively evidence the voice of the child and progress of plans.

To be a Social Worker for AfC, you will be passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of children and young people. We are looking for someone who can work flexibly, has excellent communication skills and can work collaboratively to achieve shared outcomes. It’s a genuine team effort in AfC. To be successful in the role you will need to demonstrate;

• You are able to use evidence and professional judgement to make decisions and determine the risk of future harm.
• Your excellent written skills and experience writing comprehensive reports for the Courts.
• A full understanding of the role and responsibilities of the Social Worker in the lives of the children and families you will work with.
• A full and valid driving licence and access to own transport.
• A professional social work qualification, CQSW or Diploma in Social Work (DipSW), or other relevant qualification recognised by Social Work England.
• An active Social Work England registration.

We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to enable hybrid working. In AfC you will also have access to :

• 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years with an additional day off in your birthday month (Or for term-time workers, your leave entitlement consists of the non-working periods in your contract).
• Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC.
• Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension).
• Flexible working options - helping to keep a good work life balance.
• A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme.
• A range of staff benefits and discounts.
• An excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway.

Start dates:
Achievi…