Job Introduction
We are looking for two Senior Practitioners to join our newly formed Contextual Safeguarding Team. You will be experienced Social Workers with a working knowledge and understanding of Contextual Safeguarding. Within in the team you will supervise unqualified workers such as youth workers and intervention workers, as well as, manage a case load of young people.
You will be expected to be able to make decisions around risk management, risk assessment and suitability of plans in managing risk. Senior Social Workers will be supervised by the Team Manager and will receive supervision and management support, but there is an expectation that you will support in the sharing of knowledge, decision making and oversight of unqualified workers. At the centre of your practice needs to be a confidence to respond to risk proportionately, a love of working with young people and a drive to make a difference through creative social work.
Main Responsibility
- Provide the knowledge, skills and experience of a senior social care professional to a Children’s Social Care team by taking responsibility for complex cases, mentoring of staff and the provision of expert support, advice and guidance.
- To deliver effective social work assessment, care planning and interventions in the most demanding, sensitive and complex cases to improve the safety, development and wellbeing of children/young people involved.
- To supervise the case work of social workers, social work assistants, students and childcare professionals receive appropriate supervision and direction.
- Complex and contentious case management issues are resolved so that positive and timely action can be taken to address risks and meet demands, in conjunction with Deputy/Team Manager.
- Lead responsibility for an area of children’s service development and contribute to partnership working across Children’s Services and partners, where appropriate.
- To assist the team/ Deputy Team Manager in building a strong and cohesive team and to be on call for emergencies within their team or other teams in the service.
The Ideal Candidate
- Professional qualification in Social Work with experience in Social Care and/or Policing/youth justice field relevant to child exploitation.
- To possess good written and verbal communication skills including presentation skills with ability to question, challenge, solve problems and complete tasks within variable time frames.
- Social Workers who want to work in a multi-disciplinary team with young people at the centre.
- Social Workers who want to specialise in contextual safeguarding with young people.
- Must be self-motivating and able to make difficult decisions in complex work.
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%.
- 27 days annual leave per year in addition to statutory and public holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years. (From April 2023 this will increase to 28, and 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, Apprenticeship Programmes (junior and senior), 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.
