• Suffolk County Council - Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX
• £32,909 - £36,298 per annum (pro rata)
• Plus retention payment of up to £4,000 per annum (pro rata)
• 20 hours per week
• Permanent

We welcome applications from all, but particularly welcome male applicants because they are under-represented in this directorate.

We are committed to flexible working, so please read the Job and Person Profile (docx) to find out about the types of flexible working available for this role.

Are you empowered by being able to see and feel positive change? We are looking for people like you, who share the same care, support, and dedication as we do.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Connected Persons Team as a Social Worker.

Here in Suffolk, we are proud to have created an environment where social workers can achieve the outcomes they came into the profession to do.

We were recognised as one of the leading social work authorities in the UK, whose children’s services are rated as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, "Services for children are of an exceptionally high standard. They are child-focused and make a positive difference to children's lives." (Ofsted, 2019). We have a well-embedded practice framework to enable meaningful family-focused help. ‘Signs of Safety’ enables us to do this respectfully and in collaboration with all the families, colleagues and organisations we are working with.

Your role and responsibilities

In this role, you will be working with people from within a child’s network who have put themselves forward as a potential carer. This involves completing a range of assessments, from viability assessments, connected carers assessments (combining connected persons fostering and Special Guardianship assessments) and Private fostering assessments.

You will:

• support and supervise connected persons foster carers and work with private foster carers and children in Private Fostering Arrangements
• prioritise the needs of vulnerable children
• assess, through Viability and Full assessments, potential Connected and SGO carers, and their ability to care for vulnerable children within the Fostering Regulations and National SGO Guidance. Manage and assess potential risks within the placement
• provide assessment reports for Suffolk Fostering Panel and Court within timescales
• support and supervise Connected Persons Foster Carers
• work jointly with colleagues and other professionals to promote positive outcomes for children within their family and friends’ network when it is safe to do so
• attend CIC reviews, placement planning meetings and legal strategy meetings when appropriate
• assess the needs of and risks to children and young people living in private fostering arrangements
• assess the suitability of carers and arrangements for privately fostered children
• assume case responsibility for privately fostered children and young people ensuring that services are provided or arranged proportionately to their needs
• provide ongoing support, advice, and guidance to private foster carers, as required
• engage in activities across the county to raise awareness of Private Fostering including taking responsibility for ‘specific’ target areas and projects.

You will need a relevant social work qualification and Social Work England registration is essential.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx). If you think you have what it takes to be successful in this role, even if you don’t meet all the requirements, please apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

The Connected Person’s Team is responsible for delivering services to Connected Carers (Fostering and SGO) and Privately Fostered children and their carers.

We will offer you:

• a supportive and pioneering practice where you can make a real difference while enjoying the benefits of living in Suffolk
• the opportunity to grow professionally and further your career in social work through supportive career pathways if you wish to progress and develop in front-line practice as well as specific interests
• a retention payment of up to £4,000 for Social Workers within CYP along with an additional 3 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time).

Travel and workplace requirements

We positively encourage the use of technology to communicate, but in this role, you will need to travel to locations away from your contractual base, so you must either hold a full and current driving licence and have access to personal transport or meet the mobility requirements of the role through other reasonable and suitable means. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability to meet the travel requirements of this role, please speak with the contact detailed below.

This role supports hybrid working, a broadly even balance between working from home and working from an office base. Please speak with the contact detailed below if you wish to discuss how that might impact your working arrangements. #LI-Hybrid

For more information

For an informal discussion, please contact Sam Lockwood by calling 01473 264523 or emailing sam.lockwood@suffolk.gov.uk

Please read the Job and Person Profile (docx), before applying for this job opportunity.

In your application, please ensure your statement indicates how you meet each of the criteria in the ‘Person Profile’ section of the JPP.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 29 May 2023.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.

We offer a fantastic, inclusive working environment including diverse and active staff networks, great flexible working options and many benefits, as well as the opportunity to improve the lives of Suffolk residents.

Benefits include:

• Performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• The opportunity to join a large, diverse organisation, with career opportunities across our services
• A supportive culture, underpinned by our WE ASPIRE values
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Up to 28 days annual leave entitlement, plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• An occupational sick pay scheme
• Learning and development opportunities, including a range of work-based apprenticeships
• Flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
• A range of staff networks centred around equality groups
• Plus more

If you would like to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Working for Suffolk County Council pages (www.Suffolk.gov.uk/careers).