Job Introduction
We’re seeking an enthusiastic case holding Social Worker to work in a newly formed team within our Youth Justice and Support Service who work with young people at risk of exploitation, knife crime and serious violence.
You’ll be great at working with young people, but also willing to think outside the box, and will value new opportunities to learn and develop.
Our new Contextual Safeguarding Team works in an innovative way: qualified and ‘differently qualified’ workers provide intensive and creative support that’s led by the young person. The focus is on contextual safeguarding, which looks at influences outside of the home.
Milton Keynes City Council is a great place to be a Social Worker, with a competitive benefits package including a secure pension. We don’t rely on agencies, which means colleagues have more time to spend with individual clients and more opportunities for career development.
Travel may be required so a full UK driving licence is essential. An enhanced DBS check is also required.
We offer a £4,000 market supplement (pro rata), excellent training and career progression opportunities, flexible working including homeworking for up to 2 days a week (full time equivalent) and a suite of IT equipment to enable you to do your job effectively. Support with career progression and access to clinical supervision is provided to all employees.
We encourage and warmly welcome applications from social workers in all disciplines such as Adult Social Care and Mental Health Services.
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 cannot be applied retrospectively.
Main Responsibility
- Being the allocated Social Worker to a maximum of 15 children and young people who are subject to Child In Need, Child Protection and/or Child Looked After plans as defined in the Children Act 1989 and who are at risk of contextual safeguarding concerns.
- Represent the Local Authority in public and private law proceedings which will involve giving oral evidence in court, writing court statements, care plans and complying with the directions as set out in court orders.
- Chair Young Person's Plans meetings 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
Experience, Qualifications and any Mandatory Requirements
- Social Work Qualification and registration with Social Work England.
- Enhanced DBS, driving license and a car user.
- The successful applicant will have at least 2 years post qualifying experience.
- You’ll care about working with and supporting young people who are at risk of contextual safeguarding concerns.
The Ideal Candidate
- A qualified Social Worker with at least 12 months post qualifying experience.
- Some knowledge or learning around contextual safeguarding and would like to learn more.
- Committed to supporting children and young people, 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.
- An enthusiastic Social Worker.
- Thinks outside the box, is able to challenge and make evidenced based decisions.
- You’ll have a driving licence, business insurance and can travel in and outside of Milton Keynes which may sometimes include working outside of office hours.
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.
