Principal Social Worker - #2157760

Integrated Services Programme (ISP)
Principal Social Worker
Contract: Full Time, Permanent
Salary: Up to £44,000 per annum
Base Location: South London
Core Hours: 35 hours per week, 09:00 – 17:00, Monday – Friday

Benefits

• 30 days’ annual leave, rising to 35 days with length of service, plus bank holidays
• Company pension
• Life Assurance
• Employee Discount Scheme

ISP South London is currently recruiting a Principal Social Worker. Working with the Registered Manager, the Principal Social Worker will develop and manage the service while promoting the ISP therapeutic ethos for employees, Foster Parents and young people to support them to meet their full potential.

The Principal Social Worker will provide day-to-day operational support to the Registered Manager, taking a collaborative approach with Foster Parents in order to identify how the Centre teams and other ISP services can best provide appropriate input to the placement, ensuring that there is access to the range of disciplines within ISP.

To ensure that the safety and welfare of all young people placed at ISP is promoted and that their best interests are at the centre of our thinking and planning.

Requirements

• Hold a recognised social work qualification, current registration with Social Work England and post-qualifying and supervisory experience as a social worker
• Previous experience of fostering and children and families social work
• Experience of supervising staff is desirable
• Able to challenge effectively
• Able to engage others, demonstrate teamwork and bring creative flair
• A comprehensive working knowledge of all relevant legislation pertaining to fostering and children’s services as well as publications which inform current thinking regarding good practice and the safeguarding of children
• Full driving licence with access to a vehicle for work purposes

Core Tasks

• Provide day-to-day operational support to the Registered Manager to oversee all the staff working in the registration and the services delivered, ensuring that children are receiving foster care and additional services of the highest standard
• Ensure that all relevant statutory and regulatory requirements are complied with in daily operations
• Undertake the supervision and performance appraisal of identified staff members
• Work collaboratively with Foster Parents, enlisting and valuing their expertise and experience
• Understand and enjoy the challenge of working with children with trauma backgrounds in order to play a key role in extending ISP’s expertise and reputation for success
• Facilitate strong, positive relationships within the Polaris Community, with other staff, across all services and with external partners to contribute to increasing the quality of services offered to, and the opportunities and progress enjoyed by children
• Develop relationships with external partners, working collaboratively to anticipate and resolve childcare and service issues
• Make a positive contribution towards the agency’s development plans
• Hold a caseload of Foster Parents as appropriate and when required by the service
• Carry out other work or projects as required and agreed with the Registered Manager
• Deputise for the Registered Manager, including attending meetings, chairing team meetings and Foster Parent Support Groups

Staff Management Responsibilities

• Regular formal and informal supervision of staff as detailed in the supervision agreement
• Recruit and select staff
• Ensure the appropriate induction of newly appointed staff is completed
• Complete probation reviews and annual appraisals in line with ISP’s policies and procedures
• Comply with the equal opportunities policy and procedure in all employment practices
• Contribute to the development of social work practice within the service

Business and Commercial Responsibilities

• Meet with commissioning teams to discuss individual packages of care and/or service development opportunities
• Represent ISP Fostering in a business capacity
• Contribute towards the growth and development of the business by implementing key areas identified in the business plan agreed through supervision
• Ensure a team understanding of the different placement packages and identify recharges where appropriate

Supervision and Support of Foster Parents

• Monitor the suitability and competence of Foster Parents, ensuring they provide a safe, healthy, nurturing and learning environment for children and young people
• Ensure that Foster Parents fully understand the fostering task, competencies to be achieved and the standards expected, including complaints and representations procedures as detailed in the ISP Fostering policies and procedures
• Work in partnership with all professionals to identify any needs within the foster family e.g. respite, activities, therapy, holidays, with all members of the child’s network, including contributing to all relevant meetings and any other tasks defined
• Identify the learning and development needs of Foster Parents and recommend action as required
• Attend and/or arrange meetings to support Foster Parents, children and young people
• Take a lead role in the resolution of any disputes arising between Foster Parents and other professionals
• Support Foster Parents in preparing children and young people for independent or semi-independent living

Safeguarding Children and Young People