Job Introduction
As a Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW) you have a unique opportunity to join a brilliantly supportive and well-resourced children’s social care team in one of the UK’s fastest growing cities.
Our Family Support Teams play a key role in helping children and young people and their families to remain safely together. As part of this welcoming team, you’ll learn about the diverse range of children and families who live in Milton Keynes, and about our responsibilities to ensure children are kept safe.
With clinical supervision, coaching and training you’ll assess and implement care plans for Children In Need. As your skills and experience develop, you’ll support children and families in more complex situations, including children subject to child protection orders and others ‘looked after by the local authority’.
You’ll complete thorough assessments to identify the root cause of challenges which children and their families may face, then work with colleagues to put protective plans in place to address areas of risk and need. You’ll have access to a wide range of resources to do this. 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’ll pursue alternative permanency plans without delay.
There will be ample opportunities to build relationships with fellow newly qualified colleagues so you can learn and develop together. After successfully completing the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) you will progress to Level 2, where a pay increment will reflect your acquired knowledge and skills.
A £4000 market supplement (pro rata), flexible working arrangements including home working for up to 2 days a week (full time equivalent), a smart phone, laptop, excellent training and career development opportunities are a few of the benefits you will experience if you join us.
If you would like to learn more about this role, please contact: SWrecruitment@milton-keynes.gov.uk
Main Responsibility
- The allocated Social Worker to a case load of a maximum of 16 children and young people who are Children In Need as defined in the Children Act 1989. This will include working with children whose family status is No Recourse to Public Funds.
- Building relationships with children by using various tools and skills to engage them to ensure their voice is heard and forms the basis for assessments and care plans.
- Working with parents and carers to identify their strengths to empower them to overcome the challenges they may be facing.
- By working closely with children, their families and the professionals around them the information gathered will be considered as part of Children and Families Assessments.
- Chair Child In Need Meetings as part of a multi-disciplinary team which will inform care plans for children and young people.
- Working closely with colleagues to fulfil duty responsibilities as advised by the Team Manager during office hours.
The Ideal Candidate
- An enthusiastic newly qualified Social Worker with transferrable skills who’s willing to share their knowledge and experience to achieve positive outcomes for children and their families.
- Committed to supporting children, young people and 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.
- 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.
