Job Introduction
We’re seeking a social worker with safeguarding and assessment experience to join the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).
MASH is the front door to Children’s Services, providing short term support to children and young people. We’re a fast-paced team focusing on protecting children and promoting their welfare and wellbeing in a timely manner.
We work in partnership with different professionals and agencies to help us assess, understand and meet the needs of children and their family. The MASH has strong links with the police, health, probation and education as well as other council teams and agencies such as family centres, adult social care, housing, the youth justice service and the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).
Whilst the MASH is one team, we have several distinct strands: early help, duty team, and the assessment pods.
This role is based in an assessment pod, which means your role will involve completing Child and Family Assessments under s.17 of the Children Act 1989 and undertaking single and joint enquiries under s.47 of the Children Act 1989.
Currently we have three pods, which rotate on a weekly basis. Each pod has a designated Team Manager and between five and six Social Workers, with at least one senior practitioner in each.
Here’s an example of a typical three-week rota for the pod:
Week One: s.47 week
Receive calls from our partner agencies and give advice about safeguarding concerns, complete s.47 enquiries (single agency and jointly with the Police), attend strategy meetings and complete urgent assessments. On average, workers will pick up to four assessments a week on triage.
Week Two: Focus week
This is the opportunity to write up your assessments, arrange Family Support Meetings, complete additional visits and have supervision.
Week Three: Assessment week
Each social worker will have up to four child and family assessments a week. The assessments are pre-booked by a customer liaison officer, usually for 4pm and agency checks are also completed on your behalf. No assessments are booked on Fridays.
The team is based in our city centre offices and whilst you’ll be mainly based on site, there are opportunities to work from home. You’ll work 9am to 5:30pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 5pm on Fridays.
In return, you’ll join a modern and friendly place to work. The role also attracts an annual retention payment of £4,000.
An enhanced DBS check is required.
It’s a great time to join the MASH and we look forward to receiving your application.
Interviews for this role will be held in September.
Main Responsibility
- Undertake up to four Children and Families Assessments per week on your assessment week.
- Participate in giving advice and undertaking enquiries under Section 47 on your triage week.
- Provide advice and guidance to Customer Liaison Officers, differently qualified colleagues and partner agencies.
- Provide supervision to a Customer Liaison Officer.
- Provide advice and guidance to schools through termly supervision.
The Ideal Candidate
- Social work degree or a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work.
- A qualified social worker, registered with Social Work England.
- You must have completed the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) and hold relevant experience as a Social Worker.
- Experience of completing holistic assessments in statutory timescales, working with different levels of need.
- A full UK driving licence and access to a car is required. You will need to provide evidence of having business use on your vehicle insurance. If you are successful, you will be required to supply evidence of your licence prior to starting the role.
- Should you be offered the role, as part of the pre-employment checks an Enhanced DBS will be actioned for you (unless you are on the DBS Update Service).
Package Description
In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:
- Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
- Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
- Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Salary sacrifice car scheme – low-cost leasing of electric and low emission vehicles.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Why join us? Along with more on our Benefits, discover why Working at the City Council could be the right move for you here Working at the Council | Milton Keynes
Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.
We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.
We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.
We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.
If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.
