Job Introduction
The city of Milton Keynes has a younger age profile than England's average. Our ambition is to ensure the children of Milton Keynes can live safely but are also encouraged and supported to achieve their goals. As a Social Worker in the Family Support Team, you have an opportunity to make this happen.
Family Support Teams play a key role in supporting children, young people and their families to safely remain together. Our approach which we refer to as the Golden Triangle is to do all we can to make this happen. We complete thorough assessments to identify the root cause of challenges which children and their families may face. From this, we put in place protective plans to address areas of risk and need.
As a Social Worker, you will have access to a wide range of resources to enable you to put robust plans in place. The goal is to enable families to learn and adapt their parenting to meet their children’s needs. When this isn’t possible, together with other colleagues and professionals you will pursue alternative permanency plans, ensuring this happens without delay.
We are in search of experienced Social Workers who are innovative and resilient, who can bring new skills and experience to the role. In Milton Keynes, a proudly diverse city, you will be in a fortunate position to make a difference in a city where 50% of our residents are under 35.
In return, we offer a £4000 market supplement (pro rata), a smart phone and laptop, flexible working and training and development opportunities. We encourage and warmly welcome Social Workers from all disciplines such as Adult Social Care and CAFCASS, wanting to make the transition to join our Family Support Teams.
Flexible working arrangements, a smart phone, laptop, clinical supervision, training and development opportunities and a market supplement are a few of the benefits when you work with us.
If you would like to learn more about this role, please contact: SWrecruitment@milton-keynes.gov.uk
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 can not be applied retrospectively.
Main Responsibility
The allocated Social Worker to a maximum of 19 children and young people (pro rata if you are part time) who are subject to Child In Need, Child Protection and/or Child Looked After plans as defined in the Children Act 1989.
To complete a range of assessments which will inform care plans, including Children and Families Assessments, Risk Assessments, Parenting Assessments and Sibling Assessments.
Represent the Local Authority in public and private law proceedings which will involve giving oral evidence court, writing court statements, care plans and complying with the directions as set out in court orders.
Chair Child In Need 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
A qualified Social Worker with at least two years post qualifying experience relevant to this role or have transferrable skills.
Committed to supporting children, young people and their families and has the resilience to go that extra mile to ensure they achieve their potential.
Someone who is able to challenge and make evidenced based decisions.
For this role you are required to have a Full UK Driving Licence and provide evidence of your Vehicle Insurance with Business cover and use of a vehicle, which may sometimes include working outside of office hours. If you are successful, you will be required to supply evidence of your Licence prior to starting the role
Someone who is willing to work collaboratively as part of a team in sharing knowledge and supporting team development.
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.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
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.
