September 2017

Person specification and job description

POST:Social Worker

DEPARTMENT:Family Centre

LOCATION:Southampton

HOURS:37.5

SALARY:Band H

RESPONSIBLE TO:Unit Manager

PERSON SPECIFICATION

  1. Hold a social work qualification
  2. To possess a good understanding of relevant legislative frameworks – Children Act 1989/2004, Care Standards Act 2000
  3. Experience in direct work with vulnerable families who need parenting support
  4. Able to act calmly and purposefully in crisis situations and recognise own reactions and feelings in response to situations and to manage the effects of these on other people
  5. Ability to reflect on own practice, internalising and learning from feedback given
  6. Ability to recognise the effects of stress on self and others and make appropriate use of support systems, as well as advising colleagues on related maters
  7. Ability to support, manage and guide colleagues where appropriate
  8. Ability to prioritise effectively across a range of demands
  9. Manage and adapt to change
  10. To be creative in formulating individual packages of support that reflect the needs and parents and children
  11. Ability to extrapolate the relevant information when carrying out assessments of risk and parenting capacity
  12. Ability and Willingness to work additional hours when deemed to be necessary by the needs and demands of the post, including weekends and evenings, to ensure the quality of service remains at its highest
  13. Demonstrate commitment to ongoing learning and training
  14. Ability to facilitate others to work together effectively in a team as well as, communicate effectively and confidently conveying clear messages in writing or verbally
  15. Ability to network and establish working relationships with professionals from a variety of settings, as well as family members and young people

JOB DESCRIPTION

  1. To manage, where appropriate presenting safeguarding issues in accordance with Fair Ways Policies and Procedures
  1. To take a lead role in parenting assessments through formal and informal observations of the residents with their child.
  1. To attend and contribute to multi-agency meetings, court hearings and other forums to represent the Residential Family Centre.
  1. To facilitate the provision of a warm, accepting environment in which the emotional, social, educational, cultural and spiritual needs of individuals can be met.
  1. To ensure safe supervision levels of parents and children in line with an assessment of presenting risk factors
  1. To maintain and organise case records, write reports as directed by line manager and maintain effective, regular communication with outside agencies regarding parenting capacity, ensuring all relevant parties are kept up to date of important developments.
  1. To demonstrate an understanding of the parents’ early life experiences and that such experience may result in, or contribute to, challenging behaviour.
  1. To demonstrate a commitment to your own personal and professional development, to attend training where needs have been identified and to partake in team meetings and group supervision sessions.
  1. To use a range of different methods when working directly with families to ascertain their wishes and feelings in respect of all plans relating to them, encouraging them to be involved in the assessment process as appropriate.
  1. To demonstrate good communication skills with residents and acting as a role model.
  1. To contribute towards your own supervision including self-assessment.
  1. To ensure your own actions and behaviour at work are in accordance with Fair Ways’ Policies and Procedures and all applicable regulatory frameworks / legislation and that you conduct yourself in a positive professional manner at all times.
  1. To demonstrate and uphold the Company values at all times (Make a difference; never give up; value every individual; listen to each other, develop each other, reach our potential; quality and passion in what we do).
  1. To demonstrate a commitment to Fair Ways’ culture by playing your P.A.R.T. This involves being Professional (doing what you say you’ll do); Accepting (inclusive, open minded and respectful), Reflective (focus on learning, not blaming) and being Transparent(open, honest, having integrity).
  1. Any other duties as may be required by your Line Manager/ Director.

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