It is vital that you demonstrate how you meet the ‘essential’ criteria listed in the attached Person Specification, in order to secure an interview: How to apply - guidance for applicants | Torfaen County Borough Council.The Children and Families North 1 and 2 teams have recently merged within the Children and Families Services Division in Torfaen, allowing for a wider support network of social workers in providing a range of services to support children and families, supported by 2 Team Managers and 3 Assistant Team Managers.Are you an experienced social worker thinking of a change, or a newly qualified social worker / Student who is hoping to Qualify in 2023? If so we welcome and encourage applications from you. As a student, there is the opportunity to secure a post pending successful qualification and becoming employed within the team as a Community Support Worker until you qualify.Join our supportive, experienced and committed Children and Families team for an opportunity to develop your assessment, planning and intervention skills to meet the needs of Children and Families, working with wider agencies and in partnership with others. Team members are all very experienced with the team currently being between 2 and 14 years post qualified – the average being 7 years.You will be joining an innovative team and working in a progressive, committed and learning environment where practitioners are supported and valued.Aside from the requirement of visits in the community, the team work together in the newly refurbished Civic Centre one day a week (this can be more if wanted / pending need); working from home and using virtual platforms for the majority of meetings are supported. There are also the benefits of the Flexible working system which is a benefit to many and utilised well within the team. We know it can be a demanding job, so we believe in nurturing our practitioners by providing a genuinely supportive environment; supervision is a priority as is the sharing of skills, knowledge and learning, as well as peer and independent clinical supervision. The Local Authority encourages and supports wider learning and post qualifying training programmes and study.Torfaen is one of the only Local Authorities where Managers / Assistant Team Managers Chair, minute and set/review plans at Core group / Care and Support meetings; attend child protection conferences and will support in the Court Arena.As a Social Worker you will: -
Undertake all statutory duties in respect of children in need, child protection and looked after children.
Be able to demonstrate an understanding of working with children and their families.
Formulate and implement care plans based on sound assessments.
Contribute to Inter-agency working.
You will be required to work closely with children and their families. You will manage a caseload of lower-level support as well as cases where children or young people are in need of care and support, looked after children or in the court arena.
You will be required to deliver relevant interventions in order to safeguard children and ensure their needs are met whilst also aiming to effect long-term positive change to improve the life experiences of vulnerable children and young people.
In return: -
A supportive and planned induction programme, capturing the Children and Families Teams and partner agencies as well as other teams in Torfaen Children’s Services. Shadowing meetings / visits, gathering an understanding into process / procedure, the utilised database. Determining any additional support and/or training needs.
We will provide you with a supportive environment to develop your knowledge and skills.
You will receive monthly supervision and access to experienced practitioners/ mentoring in this field.
Team Managers operate an open-door policy; they or their Assistant Team Managers will chair your meetings and can attend court with you. Senior Managers within the Authority are also accessible for advice and decision making.
There are numerous training and learning opportunities that are catered to all experience levels of social workers – from newly qualified to management level in order to continue and further professional development; including strengths-based practise programmes that support our work with children and families.
For an informal discussion regarding this vacancy please contact Abigail Vaughan Team Manager. Telephone Number 01495 766618 or Email Abigail.vaughan@torfaen.gov.ukThis post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. A comprehensive screening process will be undertaken on all applicants which will include an Enhanced check with the Disclosure and Barring Service.Torfaen County Borough Council strive to be a fair, supportive and effective employer. The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. The Council expects all employees, paid or unpaid, to share this commitment.You are welcome to submit your application form in English or in Welsh. Each application will be treated equally.
