SOCIAL WORK ASSISTANT
A full time blcok booking opportunity has become available in the Fostering and Adoption Services in Ballymoney. This is a Monday-Friday role, hours are 9am-5pm.
KEY RESULT AREAS / MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
The Social Work Assistant will be primarily responsible for assisting social work practitioners in the provision of quality social work services to children, families, foster carers and adoptive parents. He/she will work within the fostering and adoption service. The Social Work Assistant will not have case management responsibility but will undertake tasks allocated by the team leader to support social work team members in the discharge of their duties, including preparation of reports, preliminary checks and sourcing resources. The Social Work Assistant will also be expected to attend to his/her professional development through training, supervision and learning in line with NISCC registration.
Direct practice with children and families
- Undertakes work under the direction of the Team Leader or Social Worker and in keeping with the assessed care plan.
- Undertakes the arrangement and delivery of services, assessed by social work staff as needed to support children, their families, foster carers and adoptive families. This will include a significant amount of direct contact with young people and families, including transport.
- Undertakes tasks which have been delegated which may include co-ordinating meetings, diversionary and respite services, sourcing and delivering equipment to support placements including in emergency situations and outside normal working hours and undertaking statutory pre-approval checks to include Access NI, medicals and references.
- Assists in delivery of contact services including the supervision of contact arrangements as directed. This will include transport issues and ensuring completion of appropriate documentation and contribution to reviews.
- Assist Social Workers setting up and facilitating meetings and assisting foster carers and/or young people to attend such meetings e.g., transport, supervision of children accompanied at meetings.
- Promote and support the development of fostering and adoption services to provide a high quality service. This will also include liaising and developing networks with other stakeholders, agencies and professionals providing services for foster carers, children and families.
- Assist in the development, facilitation and continuity of foster care support groups
- Participate and support recruitment and training of foster and adoptive carers and any in service training and development programmes as required.
Governance and reporting responsibility
- To report all identified Child Protection concerns or other areas of concern or risk identified in the course of undertaking tasks with adolescents and families.
- Maintain clear records of all work undertaken.
- Provide reports on tasks undertaken on behalf of social work staff.
- Participate in supervision process with team leader.
- Ensure all information is treated with the utmost confidentiality.
Continuous professional development
- Maintain and develop knowledge and practice skills through supervision and training in line with NISCC and employer requirements.
Experience Qualifications/ Registration
a) NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care or equivalent social care qualifications plus two years’ experience working with children and families
Or
(b) HNC/HND in child care related subject, or equivalent qualification, plus one year’s experience
Or
(c) Four years’ experience in working with children, adolescents and families
(d) NISCC registration
(e) Hold a current full driving licence, which is valid for use in the UK, and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.
Skills / Abilities
- Ability to produce clear written reports and records
- Ability to work in a computer literate environment
- Effective communication skills in working directly with young people and their families
- Ability to demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills
- Ability to work in a team setting
Knowledge
- A basic understanding of the Children Order (NI) 1995
- An understanding of the needs of children in complex family circumstances and supports that may assist
- An understanding of child and adolescent development and family interaction
- A knowledge of statutory and voluntary agencies who work with young people and families in the community.
To apply, please email your cv to careers@totalcarerecruitment.com
