Job Introduction
We’re seeking an experienced Social Worker to join our Safeguarding Team within Adult Social Care.
As a Senior Social Worker, you’ll play a pivotal role in providing specialist advice and assessment to colleagues, people using our service, and partners like the police and ambulance service.
You’ll triage safeguarding concerns and referrals, investigate section 42 enquiries (Care Act, 2014) and co-ordinate large scale enquiries regarding organisational abuse.
This is a great opportunity to contribute to a progressive and strengths-based approach in line with the principles of Making Safeguarding Personal, while further developing your skills in a supportive environment.
If you care about supporting people to live independent lives, free from abuse and neglect, and possess the right skills and qualifications, we invite you to join us in our mission to provide exceptional care and support within a positive and nurturing work environment. Together, we can make a meaningful impact on the wellbeing of our community.
If you would like an informal conversation or to drop in and meet us before applying, you are warmly welcome to do so. Please contact Poppy Tomalin (Principal Social Worker) to arrange this. Poppy.tomalin@milton-keynes.gov.uk.
This role is also subject to a £6,000 Golden Hello payment.
About the Safeguarding Team:
Our team comprises dedicated professionals committed to delivering exemplary Adult Social Care Services under the Care Act 2014. We uphold professional standards, promote resilience, and ensure the wellbeing of the people using our services and our team members. With a focus on continuous improvement, we offer comprehensive support, training and development opportunities to facilitate personal and professional growth.
Main Responsibility
- Lead on cases involving cases of high risk and complexity which might involve the coordination of section 42 enquiries (Care Act 2014) and applications to the Court of Protection.
- Anticipate, assess, analyse and apply relevant legal frameworks to make considered judgements regarding situations where people may be at risk.
- Professional Curiosity- demonstrate critical reflection and creative practice in applying theory and research to explore situations beyond face value.
- Recognise the short and long-term impact of psychological, socio-economic, environmental and physiological factors on people’s lives, taking into account age and development and how this informs practice.
- Effective Case Management - Balance the varying demands of a caseload, maintain accurate individual case records and ensure that all required reports are completed to agreed timescales.
- Expect and participate in reflective supervision by attending prepared with an agenda of cases for discussion. Apply oversight and guidance from supervision into working with people.
- Model best social work practice in relation to social justice, social inclusion and equality and diversity.
- Set an example to more junior colleagues in the application of strengths-based approaches - Supporting individual’s independence and their ability to make choices, maximising those strengths to enable them to achieve desired outcomes.
- Support formal and peer discussions with junior colleagues including observation. Provide guidance and supportive challenge to promote CPD and professional growth. Where applicable, offer case management supervision.
- Coordinate and lead professional meetings and support junior colleagues.
The Ideal Candidate
- Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
- Demonstrable skills and experience of an Experienced Social Worker, in accordance with the Professional Capabilities Framework. A commitment to maintaining ‘Experienced Social Worker’ level of practice is a pre-requisite of the Senior Social Worker role.
- Sound legal literacy - Can demonstrate an ability to apply and articulate relevant legislation including the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and associated Code of Practice, and Human Rights Act 2008.
- Able to travel to meet service delivery requirements. 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. 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).
At Milton Keynes Adult Social Care Services we take pride in our supportive work culture and try to go that extra mile when it comes to investing in our colleagues. Have a read of our Social Workers' testimonials and see for yourself. You can meet Poppy, our Principal Social Worker on our dedicated Landing Page for Social Workers.
Your Professional Development:
We recently developed and implemented our new career progression framework to create long term stability in the social worker workforce by creating opportunities for progression and supporting professional development. We also provide formal development for experienced social workers by supporting them to undertake practice educator, best interest assessor and AMHP training.
Your Wellbeing:
We understand the importance of providing support and resources to promote resilience and wellbeing. We are committed to providing a range of support and guidance to ensure that colleagues are able to seek the appropriate level of support, should they need to. This includes:
- Access to MKCC Employee Assistance Programme and Health Champions.
- Variety of Health and Wellbeing Workshops.
- Quality supervision and reflective practice sessions.
- Clear career progression pathways and support for professional registration fees.
- Exceptional pension scheme and other benefits.
Personal Summary:
Applicants are encouraged to complete the personal summary section of the application. This is your opportunity to showcase your skills and knowledge.
*T&C’s apply
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.
