Ref: CC901

Social Worker (Multi Agency Screening Team, Children’s Assessment Team, Disabled Children’s Team, Locality Child Protection Team, Children Looked After Team) Fostering Team Post 

Our Vision for Calderdale in 2024 is a place where everyone can reach their potential and lead a larger life. We will be defined by our innate kindness and resilience and be measured by how our people and communities care and support each other.

In our 2019 Inspection, Ofsted stated that “we have created a culture in which staff feel valued and safe. Social work is flourishing. It is evident across all levels of social care that all staff are treated with dignity and kindness. This approach has created an environment in which social workers feel listened to and supported to develop their skills and knowledge.”

Ofsted undertook a focussed visit in May 2023. Ofsted said we are delivering good services despite all the national challenges for children services.

All social workers who met with inspectors are very positive about working for Calderdale. They feel well supported by managers who are available and who provide consistent and helpful formal and informal supervision. Workers spoken to report effective support by their managers and teams, which enables them to feel safe in their practice.

They also said there is a clear workforce development offer and workers described having access to helpful training and development opportunities, which enables them to develop their skills further.

Our Safe Successful Families approach to our children and family social work has transformed our children’s social work teams by introducing a systemic approach to working collaboratively with children and families, colleagues, and partners. We promote practice reflection and understand the importance of learning, both as individuals and as an organisation.

We use a shared set of values, a common language, and a consistent approach. We prize learning above blame and a supportive, generous work culture is encouraged.

We recognise the need for social workers to spend time with their teams in an office environment and this is prioritised for our team, but we also realise some benefits of home working too. Therefore, we are flexible in having a combination of the two depending on your individual needs.

We embrace the positive benefits of a diverse workforce, and we are committed to providing an environment that is inclusive. We encourage applications from people who share our commitment to challenge inequality and promote diversity across Calderdale.

In Calderdale we have fantastic opportunities in Children’s Social Care, and we are looking for passionate and committed Social Workers who can make a meaningful difference to our children.

We pride ourselves on the support we provide all social workers offering great support in their first year of practice with our ASYE (Assessed and Supported Year in Employment) programme and then continuing to support growth and development through our Progression Pathway enabling social workers plan their career and take advantage of the opportunities on offer.

What you can expect as a Newly Qualified Social Worker:

You will be part of a small team (pod) led by a practice manager.
You will receive a high frequency of supervision when you join your team. This will reduce as you become more confident in practice.
You will receive quality personal, case, and reflective (pod) supervision regularly.
You will have access to the ASYE network meetings each month.
You will have 10% protected time per week (equivalent to half a day a week) for learning and development.
\you will have a capped caseload.
You will have a thorough induction.
You will have shadowing opportunities with your peers across the team.
You will have access to key training opportunities such as Section 47 training and court skills.
You will be valued and supported and treated with respect.

Applications will be accepted from Student Social Workers who are in their final year of their University Social Work degree course.

If you are successful, we can offer you a job as a pre-registered Social Worker in Calderdale until your registration from Social work England is received. This will provide you with the opportunity to start your new career much sooner.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff to share this commitment. Applicants to posts that are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act will require a DBS from the Disclosure and Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed.

Closing Date: Sunday, 14th July 2024
Interview Date: Wednesday 31st July 2024

Calderdale will reimburse the post holders required professional membership, annually.

We may utilise digital interview methods.

As part of our Vision (https://www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision/) we aim to be a talented, resilient and inclusive community. We welcome applications from all and offer a variety of flexible working / job share opportunities.

On 30 January 2019, the Council declared a climate emergency in a bold move to step up its action to tackle climate change.

Calderdale Council embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and we are committed to providing an environment that is inclusive. We encourage applications from people who share our commitment to challenge inequality and promote diversity across Calderdale.

We particularly welcome applications from communities that are currently under-represented in our organisation. All applications are anonymised before being seen by the selection panel.

For support on your application please read our Application Booklet or visit our Employment Hub

We reserve the right to close vacancies prior to the advertised closing date, an early submission is advised.