Social Worker Reading 2023

Brighter Futures for Children is a not-for-profit company, owned by, but independent of, Reading Borough Council. Although we are independent, we are very much part of the Reading Family. Our people enjoy all of benefits as other Council employees including membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme and continuous service.

We work closely with partners in the local community and key organisations including Reading Borough Council, policy, public health and voluntary groups. We are responsible for the delivery of children’s social care, early help & prevention, education services (including SEND). This also includes fostering and adoption, the Youth Offending Service and traded services with schools.

Our main aim is to protect and enhance the lives of the children of Reading. We help families find long-term solutions to ensure children lead happy, healthy and successful lives.

About the role

We are currently recruiting qualified social workers interested in our Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) programme. This role provides an opportunity for newly qualified social workers committed to providing quality assessment, interventions and support to the children and families we work with.

As a Newly Qualified Social Worker, you will hold a reduced caseload; the number of families you are working with will increase gradually with its complexity. You will be working with a range of children and families supported through Children in Need, Child Protection and looked after Cate Plans. You will carry out a range of tasks and interventions to benefit the child’s welfare.

Responsibilities

• Undertake assessments, provide support and facilitate interventions and, where appropriate, arrange accommodation for children and young people
• Work within BFfC policy procedures and good practice guidelines to most effectively meet the needs of the children and families allocated to you
• To work with children, young people, families, carers and communities to help them make informed decisions and engender change, enabling them to clarify and express their needs and contribute to service planning.
• To develop and maintain positive working relationships with children, young people, families, and other professionals.
• To keep up to date with contemporary issues in children’s social work, including legislation and evidence-based practice, and attend relevant training and development opportunities.
• To liaise with colleagues in own, other directorates, and external agencies to gather information relevant to assessment and care planning activities and jointly plan and deliver interventions.
• Maintain and update case notes and other records and write reports as necessary. If required, give evidence in court about care proceedings
• Participate in planning and reviewing the cases of children in care.

Essential qualification/experience

• Registered with Social Work England

Please note that to apply for these posts, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be anticipating successful completion of your social work course and subsequent Social Work England registration by the proposed date of 1 September 2023
• Have completed your social work qualification within the last two years
• Not have commenced and not completed your ASYE elsewhere

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to be creative and focus on innovative and ambitious interventions that lead to sustainable change for families. We are kind, friendly, collaborative and value driven.

There are numerous opportunities for training and development at BFfC. We have secured excellent training for all our staff through Research in Practice and established an effective partnership with several Universities. We value our staff and support them in their progression with us.

• A diverse and reduced caseload and good quality reflective supervision by an external Practice Educator.
• Monthly group supervision and six weekly Action Learning Sets.
• We are working with Buckinghamshire New University, which delivers the ASYE module, to enhance and consolidate your learning.
• We also offer flexible learning opportunities through our research in practice subscriptions.
• We offer a supportive framework to develop your career
• You’ll work in a friendly and collaborative environment where we are committed to delivering positive outcomes.
• We have diverse training offers and developmental pathways.

We also offer a competitive salary alongside a range of benefits, including:

• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Relocation Scheme
• 26 days holiday plus public holidays (rising to 33 after 10 years’ service)
• Discounted Child Care (on-site nursery)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loans
• A range of local discounts
• Free parking

If successfully shortlisted, you will be invited to partake in an interview by a Panel. The interview process will take place in person/face to face settings; Thursday 20 and Friday 21 July 2023.

If you share our values and are ready to be part of our exciting journey, we are looking forward to seeing your application!