Job Introduction
We’re seeking an enthusiastic case holding Social Worker to work in a newly formed team within our Youth Justice and Support Service who work with young people at risk of exploitation, knife crime and serious violence.
You’ll be great at working with young people, but also willing to think outside the box, and will value new opportunities to learn and develop.
Our new Contextual Safeguarding Team works in an innovative way: qualified and ‘differently qualified’ workers provide intensive and creative support that’s led by the young person. The focus is on contextual safeguarding, which looks at influences outside of the home.
Milton Keynes City Council is a great place to be a Social Worker, with a competitive benefits package including a secure pension. We don’t rely on agencies, which means colleagues have more time to spend with individual clients and more opportunities for career development.
Travel may be required so a full UK driving licence is essential. An enhanced DBS check is also required.
We offer a £4,000 market supplement (pro rata), excellent training and career progression opportunities, flexible working including homeworking for up to 2 days a week (full time equivalent) and a suite of IT equipment to enable you to do your job effectively. Support with career progression and access to clinical supervision is provided to all employees.
We encourage and warmly welcome applications from social workers in all disciplines such as Adult Social Care and Mental Health Services.
This role is eligible for you to be referred by an MKCC employee, as part of the Children’s Services Social Worker Referral Scheme. The successful candidate, and the referrer, will, subject to all conditions of the scheme being met, receive £1000. The reward is split into two £500 payments, the first received on appointment, and the second after the first-year anniversary of being in post. You must indicate in your application, the name of the person referring you, for this to apply. It cannot be applied retrospectively.
Main Responsibility
- Being the allocated Social Worker to a maximum of 15 children and young people who are subject to Child In Need, Child Protection and/or Child Looked After plans as defined in the Children Act 1989 and who are at risk of contextual safeguarding concerns.
- Represent the Local Authority in public and private law proceedings which will involve giving oral evidence in court, writing court statements, care plans and complying with the directions as set out in court orders.
- Chair Young Person's Plans meetings and Core Group Meetings as part of a multi-disciplinary team which will inform assessments and care plans for children and young people.
- Work closely with colleagues to fulfil duty responsibilities as advised by the Team Manager during office hours.
The Ideal Candidate
Experience, Qualifications and any Mandatory Requirements
- Social Work Qualification and registration with Social Work England.
- Enhanced DBS, driving license and a car user.
- The successful applicant will have at least 2 years post qualifying experience.
- You’ll care about working with and supporting young people who are at risk of contextual safeguarding concerns.
The Ideal Candidate
- A qualified Social Worker with at least 12 months post qualifying experience.
- Some knowledge or learning around contextual safeguarding and would like to learn more.
- Committed to supporting children and young people, their families and has the resilience to go that extra mile to ensure they achieve their potential.
- Willing to work as part of a team in sharing knowledge and supporting team development.
- An enthusiastic Social Worker.
- Thinks outside the box, is able to challenge and make evidenced based decisions.
- You’ll have a driving license, business insurance and can travel in and outside of Milton Keynes which may sometimes include working outside of office hours.
Package Description
We are really proud of the benefits we are able to offer our staff here at Milton Keynes City Council, including:-
- Local Government Pension Scheme, considered to be one of the best employer contribution rates of 18.8%.
- 28 days annual leave per year in addition to statutory and public holidays, rising to 32 days after 5 years.
- Holiday Purchase Scheme.
- Our Professional Development Centre provides access to courses such as in-house management development programmes endorsed by the Institute of Leadership, coaching and mentoring and access to our Smarter Learning portal
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Health Cashplan.
- MK Advantage benefits package – a range of savings on a wide range of retail, leisure and entertainment products and services such as Pizza Express, M&S, B&Q, John Lewis and Arriva Travel.
- Blue Light Card - Employees working within Social Care can qualify for a range of discounts from national retailers to local businesses in a wide range of categories including holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones and much more!
- SmartGo – Aimed at encouraging low-carbon transport and healthy lifestyle with discounted travel e.g. Halfords, Arriva, Europcar, National Railcards and Stagecoach.
- Homebuy Scheme (for eligible roles).
- Smarter working which provides the opportunity to work from various locations including from home for a proportion of your role (subject to business needs).
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced Maternity, Adoption and Paternity entitlements.
- Childcare Subsidy.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes is a diverse, welcoming, and expanding place, built on smart ideas with even bigger plans for the future. We have world class attractions, beautiful open spaces, and a great standard of living.
Milton Keynes City Council is one of the largest employers in the region, making a difference every day for local people. We’re responsible for all local government services in MK including education, housing, highways, and social services - around 240 services in all.
Our values are to be dedicated, respectful, and collaborative. If this sounds like you, join us for a stimulating and fulfilling career measured on results, and a rewarding work-life balance.
