Job summary
Our vision for the service is that children and young people are safe, can overcome difficulties and can form secure relationships through their childhood and into their adulthood. The Children In Need Team is responsible for undertaking assessments of children and families, developing intervention plans for children in need and supporting children, young people and their families to achieve positive outcomes.

This post will assist in the provision and further development of an effective service for children in need and their families within the Bailiwick by working closely with other agencies, professionals and members of the public. This will include undertaking child and family assessments, developing intervention plans, providing support to those children and families to achieve positive outcomes including those children subject of Care Requirements in accordance with the Children (Guernsey and Alderney) Law 2008.

Main duties of the job

• Hold a caseload of child in need and Care Requirement cases.
• Assess the needs of children, young people and their families in a timely manner. To use relevant theoretical frameworks in order to produce, appropriately monitor and review the Childs Plan and ensure appropriate support and evidence-based interventions are in place to achieve positive change.
• To act as lead professional with the Team Around Child model to ensure a co ordination of care and support.
• To ensure childrens holistic needs are met by working closely with parents, carers, colleagues and other agencies, ensuring the child is central to all planning.
• To form positive working relationships with professionals from other departments, agencies and disciplines.
• To prepare reports and represent Children and family Community Services both orally and in writing for meetings, reviews, panels, Court and The Children Youth and Community Tribunal and present cases within these forums.
• Respond to child protection concerns via the implementation and monitoring of robust child protection plans and undertake any assessment or investigation as required by the team manager on any allocated cases.

About us
The Island of Guernsey is in the English Channel in the Bay of St Malo, 50km off the north-west coast of France and 120km from the English coast.

Guernsey has a population of around 63,000 and in Alderney just under 2,000. Working in a relatively small Health and Social Care Service like ours means you can effectively work with colleagues across the services, health and social care professionals can collaborate not only with each other but also other agencies, the third sector and the community.

We offer an attractive relocation policy and competitive salaries with great career opportunities, modern facilities, excellent training, revalidation and registration support and a healthy work-life balance.

As a health or social care professional who chooses to join our team, you can look forward to working in an environment that gives you the time to care that you hoped for when choosing this career.

Job responsibilities
Our vision for the service is that children and young people are safe, can overcome difficulties and can form secure relationships through their childhood and into their adulthood. The Children In Need Team is responsible for undertaking assessments of children and families, developing intervention plans for children in need and supporting children, young people and their families to achieve positive outcomes.

This post will assist in the provision and further development of an effective service for children in need and their families within the Bailiwick by working closely with other agencies, professionals and members of the public. This will include undertaking child and family assessments, developing intervention plans, providing support to those children and families to achieve positive outcomes including those children subject of Care Requirements in accordance with the Children (Guernsey and Alderney) Law 2008.

RELATIONSHIPS:
Reports to: Team Manager, Children In Need Team
Responsible to: Service Manager, Children In Need
Accountable to: Associate Director, Children and Family Community Services
Accountable for: Children In Need

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Hold a caseload of child in need and Care Requirement cases.
• Assess the needs of children, young people and their families in a timely manner. To use relevant theoretical frameworks in order to produce, appropriately monitor and review the Childs Plan and ensure appropriate support and evidence-based interventions are in place to achieve positive change.
• To act as lead professional with the Team Around Child model to ensure a co ordination of care and support.
• To ensure childrens holistic needs are met by working closely with parents, carers, colleagues and other agencies, ensuring the child is central to all planning.
• To form positive working relationships with professionals from other departments, agencies and disciplines.
• To prepare reports and represent Children and family Community Services both orally and in writing for meetings, reviews, panels, Court and The Children Youth and Community Tribunal and present cases within these forums.
• Respond to child protection concerns via the implementation and monitoring of robust child protection plans and undertake any assessment or investigation as required by the team manager on any allocated cases.
• Ensure that child protection and child in need procedures are adhered to.
• Work in partnership with parents, colleagues and other agencies ensuring the child is central to any process.
• Ensure Health and Social Care policies, procedures and legislation are adhered to.
• Actively participate in monthly supervision sessions with line manager.
• Participate in a duty rota system for cases held within the team.
• Participate in the Emergency Duty Service rota.
• Undertake any other duties as may be determined by the Associate Director, Children and Family Community Services as requested.

KEY CRITERIA:
Minimum Qualifications
Recognised Social Care Qualification e.g., Diploma/Degree in Social Work or CQSW.
Registered with Social Work England.

Essential
Post qualifying experience in childrens social care.
Knowledge and understanding of theory and legislation that affects children, young people and their families and a good knowledge of childcare practice, particularly in relation to children in need, safeguarding and child protection in Guernsey and Alderney.
Experience of undertaking joint investigations and a variety of needs and risk assessments that are evidence and theory based.
Ability to use information technology effectively and efficiently.
To be in possession of a clean and current driving licence.

KEY COMPETENCIES:
Professionalism
Identify and behave as a professional social worker, committed to professional development.

Values and Ethics
Apply social work ethical principles and values to guide professional practices.

Diversity and Equality
Recognise diversity and apply anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive principles in practice.

Rights, Justice and Economic Wellbeing
Advance human rights and promote social justice and economic wellbeing.

Knowledge
Develop and apply relevant knowledge from social work practice and research, social sciences, law, other professional and relevant fields, and from the experience of people who use services.

Critical Reflection and Analysis
Apply critical reflection and analysis to inform and provide a rationale for professional decision-making.

Skills and Interventions
Use judgement, knowledge and authority to intervene with individuals, families and communities to promote independence, provide support, prevent harm and enable progress.

Contexts and Organisations
Engage with, inform, and adapt to changing organisational contexts, and the social and policy environments that shape practice. Operate effectively within and contribute to the development of organisations and services, including multi-agency and inter-professional settings.

Professional Leadership
Promote the profession and good social work practice. Take responsibility for the professional learning and development of others. Develop personal influence and be part of the collective leadership and impact of the profession.

Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Experience of undertaking joint investigations and a variety of needs and risk assessments that are evidence and theory based.

Desirable

• N/A

Qualifications
Essential

• KEY CRITERIA:
• Minimum Qualifications
• Recognised Social Care Qualification e.g., Diploma/Degree in Social Work or CQSW.
• Registered with Social Work England.

Desirable

• Essential
• Post qualifying experience in childrens social care.
• Knowledge and understanding of theory and legislation that affects children, young people and their families and a good knowledge of childcare practice, particularly in relation to children in need, safeguarding and child protection in Guernsey and Alderney.
• Experience of undertaking joint investigations and a variety of needs and risk assessments that are evidence and theory based.
• Ability to use information technology effectively and efficiently.
• To be in possession of a clean and current driving licence.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).