Rochdale Social Services are looking for a Qualified Social Worker to join the Cared for Children Team.

• Inside IR35.
• £35hr.
• Office based, required to do visits and attend meetings.

Main Purpose:

This is an experienced Social Worker who has a minimum of 2 years' experience working within a Cared for Children Team, with specific responsibilities for dealing with more complex cases, including assessment and appropriate management of risks. Work with service users and other stakeholders to assist service planning.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responsible for a caseload of more complex cases, providing advice to other social workers in relation to their cases.
• Provide support to other social workers in the team who are less experienced and may also supervise students, trainees, PA's and support staff and volunteers.
• Participate in the planning / reviewing of cases.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with service users, their families and carers.
• Provide advice and support and promote independence and early intervention, as necessary.
• Liaise with colleagues in own or other departments or external agencies to gather relevant information for assessment and care planning activities.
• Maintain and update case notes and other records to required ethical and quality standards.
• Write high quality reports as required and also where required give evidence in court in relation to care proceedings.
• Work effectively on complex situations, use their initiative and evaluate their own and others practice.
• Be familiar with local resource networks and undertake capacity building with individuals, families, communities, user groups and voluntary organisations.
• Recognised by peers as a source of reliable knowledge and advise others.
• Each social worker is expected to respond to duty matters on a rota

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Professional qualification in Social Work plus considerable experience in a relevant field.
• Knowledge of theory and practice of care assessment, planning and detailed knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation and its application.
• Supervisory skills, as may supervise students, trainees, support staff and volunteers.
• Analytical, planning and communication skills.
• There are 3 C4C teams, all with around 6 social workers. We also sit alongside the step ahead service with around 12 PA's and the post order and permanence tem with around 6 social workers (these numbers obviously vary depending on staffing)

Caseloads at the moment are around 20-22