Job title: Newly Qualified Social Worker

Salary: £33,366 - £35,235 pro rata

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Various

Service: Children's social work

As a children’s social worker, you will thrive on working restoratively with children and families by building strong relationships to inspire positive change and sustainable outcomes.

Our restorative practice model lies at the heart of our children’s social work team at Leeds City Council. As a newly qualified social worker, you’ll be a valued member of our team from the start.

You will follow the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) programme with support and guidance from your manager and team. Our ASYE offer includes a protected caseload with co-working support, dedicated time for training, weekly mentor sessions and practice café.

On successful completion of the ASYE programme you will progress to the role of social worker - Social Worker - REQ001330 | Leeds Jobs. Subject to vacancies arising, there’s a wealth of opportunity across the city with roles in locality teams, children looked after and more specialist teams such as front door, restorative early support and the child health and disability service.

We can offer permanent contracts on a full-time, part-time or job-share basis to suitably qualified candidates. We are open to flexible working arrangements to support your work-life balance, if service needs can be fulfilled.

We’re proud to be part of Ofsted outstanding Leeds children’s services, working to improve outcomes for all children and young people and close the gap facing those from vulnerable and deprived backgrounds.

We are committed to the ambition of Child Friendly Leeds. We want Leeds to be a city where all children are safe, happy and healthy, do well at school, fulfil their potential and grow up to be active citizens with voice and influence.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a newly qualified social worker you will hold an appropriate professional qualification (degree, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent) and must be registered with Social Work England on commencement in post. For successful candidates awaiting formal award of their degree and confirmed registration, we can offer a post as a trainee social worker in the interim.

You will bring to the role:

• ability to assess social care needs and plan, implement and evaluate interventions
• knowledge of social work theory, policy, legislation and safeguarding issues
• consultative approach to engage children and families, taking their views on board and advocating for them
• communication and collaboration skills for effective multi-agency working
• experience of using supervision for critical reflection and to enhance practice

About the role

As a newly qualified social worker, you will be integral to our close-knit, supportive team. You will provide a high quality comprehensive social work service with support and mentoring from a senior social work colleague.

You may co-work more challenging casework alongside experienced colleagues, with guidance as outlined in the ASYE programme. You will engage proactively in the supervision and appraisal framework for critical reflection and exploration of your role.

Everything you do will be underpinned by our culture of restorative practice and family decision making including family group conferencing. We work closely with local health and third sector partners, and you will develop and maintain these strong links in your role.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits for social workers including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities

• essential car user allowance plus car loan scheme
• access to deals and discounts, including eligibility for a blue light card
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Apply for this job online. Please upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please call the recruitment team on 0113 378 5165, who will be able to put you in touch with a relevant manager.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the children’s barred list will be carried out on preferred candidates.  Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, candidates must consider their own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. For more information visit Skilled Worker visa on the government website. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose: Under the general direction of a Team Manager and with support and mentoring from an Advanced Practitioner to provide a high quality and comprehensive social work service to children, their families, and carers in accordance with the organisational needs, policy, and practices of the Directorate and within statutory guidelines. Develop relationships with children, young people, and families/carers so as to best provide a high-quality service.  This may include elements of co-working more challenging casework alongside more experienced workers and with support and guidance as outlined in the ASYE programme.

The post holder must at all times carry out the responsibilities within the City Council’s Policies and Procedures,  and also within Social Work England Code of Practice.

Responsibilities: 

• Responsible for an allocated caseload under supervision, including assessment and appropriate management of risks. Make proactive use of supervision to reflect critically on practice, explore different approaches to your work and understand the boundaries of professional accountability. 

• Consolidate, develop, and demonstrate comprehensive understanding and application, of theories and methods of social work practice including working restoratively, awareness of current issues, and evidence-based practice research.

• Carry a caseload and undertake assessment of service users and carer needs using a child focused approach in accordance with agreed statutory and directorate procedures.

• Use a child focused approach to devise and implement service and support plans which correspond to the assessed needs of service users, their families, and carers in line with procedures.

• Responsible for analysing information to support the on-going needs of users, their families, and carers.

• Monitor and contribute to the review of plans relating to the assessed needs of service users, their families, and carers in accordance with directorate procedures.

• Use a safeguarding framework, to make enquiries, investigate and manage risks where children have experienced or likely to experience significant harm.

• Provide written and verbal reports which are concise, informative, and based on analysis of complex evidence which can be used within the legal context.

• Maintain and update case notes, records and prepare reports as required.

• Work directly with children and young people to ensure that assessments and interventions are informed by their views.

• Use management information systems, keeping them up to date and able to provide concise and accurate information about circumstances and plans within the requirements of data protection.

• Comply with relevant governance, policy, and procedures.

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with professionals within the directorate and partner agencies to ensure integrated, holistic, and multidisciplinary approach to care management and safeguarding of service users.

• Contribute to the promotion of improved outcomes for individuals, families, carers, and groups from diverse and disadvantaged communities.

• Responsible for understanding and applying all relevant practice standards, policies, and procedures.

• Responsible for planning and negotiating a range of appropriate services and interventions that meet the needs of service users within delegated levels of responsibility.

• Identify and implement strategies for responding appropriately to concerns about practice or procedures, seeking guidance if required.

• Organise work activities taking account of the need to prioritise tasks and responsibilities ensuring statutory legislation and service priorities are met.

• Work to and within the prescribed Professional Capabilities Framework

• Work to the prescribed standards for service provision and maintain performance and develop practice and experience in line with personal targets as agreed with line manager through supervision and appraisal.

• Carry out the role and responsibilities of key worker for a caseload deemed suitable for allocation to a newly qualified worker.

• Undertake assessment, planning and reviewing of work concerning, children in need, children subject to child protection plans and children who are looked after in care.

• Work restoratively to develop and maintain effective relationships with children and young people, their families, and carers to achieve positive outcomes.

• Participate in arrangements to receive, screen, and respond to requests for service and referrals.

• With supervision, work with children and young people, families, and carers to help them make informed decisions, enabling them to clarify and express their needs and contribute to service planning.

• Where necessary work in the court arena with appropriate support to obtain and implement court orders

• Assist in commissioning services and support for children, young people, and their families.

• Contribute to the development of practice and services through participation in workshops, and consultations.

• Undertake preventative work with families in order to safeguard children and reduce the need for children to become looked after in care.

• Work with relevant agencies, including the convening of meetings and, where appropriate, the chairing of meetings.

• Promote the right to advocacy to all children and young people on their caseload and offer full information on how to make complaints.

• Be available for young people to contact and respond to phone calls/call them back promptly.

• Make young people aware of whom they can contact outside office hours.

• Flexible working arrangements, including evening and/or weekends, may be necessary on occasion to complete on-going casework, emergency situations, evening visits or meetings.

• Work as part of a team within a health and social care setting, maintaining effective relationships with colleagues, Elected Members, service users, families, carers, and other agencies.

• Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.

• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications Appropriate professional qualification (Degree, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent) Registration with Social Work England upon commencement in post and maintain yearly registration. 

Progression: On successful completion of the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment programme, the newly qualified Social Worker will progress onto the Social Worker role and job description.

Essential requirements Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

• Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate. 
• Able to effectively plan, manage, prioritise, and evaluate work with Service users.
• Able to plan, prioritise and time manage own workload.
• Able to communicate and pass information effectively, accurately, and concisely with a range of partners and services users, carers, and colleagues.
• Able to engage individuals, families, carers, and workers from other agencies.
• Able to identify appropriate social work interventions in order to promote positive change.
• Able to devise and implement service and support plans.
• Able to assess the needs of and work with individuals and groups using a person-centred approach.
• Able to maintain accurate service user records, assessments and follow policy and procedure.
• Able to record, evidence and communicate using technology
  Able to exercise individual judgement, assess risk and consult where and when appropriate.
• Able to make proactive use of supervision to reflect critically on practice and explore different approaches to work and understand the boundaries of professional accountability.
• Able to prepare and author reports.
• Able to work and engage with children and young people and use their views to inform assessments, plans and interventions.
• Knowledge of appropriate social work professional qualification ( BA or MA in Social Work)
• Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Knowledge of the range of theories and models for Social Work intervention with individuals, families, groups, and communities.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation appropriate to the needs of service users from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Awareness of the broad range of factors that impact on service users and families e.g., drugs, alcohol domestic violence.
• Understanding of the roles and responsibilities of statutory and voluntary agencies.
• Basic awareness of IT systems including Microsoft Office, Internet, and Email,
• Knowledge of current, trends, policies, legislation, and regulatory bodies in relation to vulnerable people within a social care setting
• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of confidentiality and the needs and wishes of individuals, families, and carers as appropriate.
• Demonstrate an awareness of needs and safeguarding issues associated with vulnerable people.
• Demonstrate an understanding of diversity issues within local communities.
• Experience of implementing a child focused approach
• Demonstrated creativity in tackling and solving problems.
• Experience of advocacy and user involvement.
• Experience of using initiative and a commitment to develop services.
• Experience of the use of reflective practice techniques to critically analyse information to inform decision making and planning
  Experience of producing records and reports to a high standard in different formats for a variety of purposes with language suited to function
  Experience of application of information gathering skills to make and contribute to assessments.
• Experience of using supervision effectively

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
• Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up,to date knowledge and skills.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

• Possession of a full current driving licence