Job Introduction
The Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire FDAC (Family Drug and Alcohol Court) is seeking an experienced children and family social worker for a part time role in a multi-disciplinary team.
The FDAC is a problem-solving court approach to improving outcomes for children involved in care proceedings. It offers an alternative and more successful way of supporting parents to overcome substance misuse, mental health and domestic problems that have put children at risk of serious harm.
You’ll be responsible for undertaking rapid, detailed assessments of parenting. You’ll also work directly with parents to develop their parenting capacity and understanding of their children’s needs.
You’ll be required to present reports in an authoritative manner in court and in other multidisciplinary and multi-agency settings.
Main Responsibility
- Undertake detailed initial assessments for the family courts, considering parent’s history, drug use, mental health, relationships, motivation and lifestyle and the impact these have had on their parenting capacity and the care provided to their children. Present these assessments in an authoritative and well written manner to the family court, working to clear timescales.
- Work with the team to formulate intervention plans for parents to address their substance misuse and any other concerns including domestic abuse, mental health and trauma.
- Chair intervention planning meetings to share the outcomes of assessments with parents and relevant professionals and identify short term goals for parents to work towards.
- Undertake direct work with parents (and children where relevant) once they have achieved abstinence to support parents to develop their reflective insight, understating of their children’s needs and parenting capacity. Utilise your work with parents and children to enable the successful reunification of families.
- Work across the Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire area.
The Ideal Candidate
- A recognised social work qualification (DipSW, CQSW, degree in social work or equivalent)
- HCPC registration
- A minimum of 2years’ experience of children and family social work including working within the family court arena.
- An ability to undertake complex parenting assessments suitable for submission to the family courts.
- Excellent analysis skills.
- Ability to write complex reports to a good standard and to tight timescales.
- An understanding of the family court process and experience in giving written and oral evidence in court.
- Experience working with parents to address concerns around parenting capacity and supporting them to develop their parenting skills.
- Ability to plan and structure targeted interventions and provide verbal and written feedback in regard to the motivation and progress of parents.
- Able to remain child centred throughout direct work with parents.
- A good understanding of the impact of adverse childhood experiences and trauma on adult functioning.
- An understanding of the impact of substance misuse, domestic abuse, mental health, loss and trauma on parenting capacity and an ability to work with parents to address these difficulties and move forwards.
- An ability to use IT systems and record work effectively and in a timely manner.
For this role, the candidate is required to have a full UK driving licence, along with access to a vehicle. Evidence of the driving licence and vehicle insurance with business insurance will be required from the candidate should they be offered this position. Without this documentation the candidate will not be appointable.
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.
- 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.
