Advanced Social Workers - Single Point of Contact including MASH

Advanced Social Worker – Single Point of Contact incl .MASH

We have a number of exciting opportunities for Social Workers to join our new Single Point of Contact.

In Croydon our Children's Services are on a high-spirited change journey, with new management, innovative approaches and considerable pace.

We are committed to delivering excellent social work practice and services to our children and families. The SPOC team is Croydon’s ‘front door’, receiving all new referrals for children where there are safeguarding concerns or where the child may need additional support, including Early Help services. Working alongside both co-located and virtual multi-agency partners, whilst also seeking to work in partnership with parents and carers, the team makes important decisions on the level of support and intervention that children need to meet their needs and keep them safe. Our goal is to make the right decisions, at the right time and so help set a positive journey for all children referred into the SPOC.

The SPOC team is a fast paced team where important decisions are being made each day on children’s needs and safety. It involves building effective and collaborative professional relationships with partners across the Borough.

To help achieve this, we want to recruit permanent Advanced Social Workers who are experienced and passionate about working towards achieving positive change for children and families.

About you

We are therefore looking for candidates who have ability to:

• Effectively identify and analyse strengths, need and harm with reference to how past history and current events impact on children and their future outcomes
• Be confident and consistent in their decision making, and ability to apply national and local legislation and thresholds
• Work and make robust and safe decisions under pressure and strict deadlines
• Record actions and decision making in a clear and concise manner, whilst being child-focused
• Ensure information is appropriately and effectively shared with partner agencies or internal teams
• Work collaboratively with parents, partner agencies and internal teams to gather information, identify need and risk and determine appropriate plans to meet these
• Work with families and partner agencies in a strength and relationship based practice framework
• Demonstrate high levels of individual professional accountability and responsibility
• Work constructively as part of a team and under management oversight and direction
• Work collaboratively with managers and team members towards ongoing practice and team development
• Be enthusiastic and committed to own social work practice development

Prior experience

Candidates will need to have significant post qualifying experience, including in a statutory child care setting. Prior MASH experience is useful but not essential. Candidates will need to be able to demonstrate good experience, knowledge and skills of ability to work in front line setting; being able to work with a complex and diverse range of needs and risks; and making effective and timely decisions involving child protection, child in need and Early Help interventions. Candidates will need to have had working positively with partner agencies and ability to develop collaborative working relationships with children and their families. Candidates will need to have good knowledge and understanding of legislative framework, relevant research and national developments, and policies relating to children’s social care.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone keen to broaden and develop their skill set; become part of a team committed to improving outcomes for children and families in Croydon; and join in Croydon’s journey of change.

About us

Successful candidates will be supported and supervised by an Assistant Team Manager. Croydon is committed to ensuring all social workers are provided with good quality training and development to enable them to deliver excellent social work to children and families and broaden their knowledge and skills.

Grade 14 (£43,590 - £45,585)* * In addition to the annual salary there will be a welcome payment of £3,000 (paid at 6 months with a 24 month tie in) and a further £3,000 retention package (£1,500 to be paid at 12 months and £1,500 to be paid at 20 months service)

Plus………

Relocation package

31 days’ annual leave

Development opportunities

Support practitioners in undertaking Practice Educator training

Laptop/Phone with agile work practices

A pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 20%

A core skills training & Learning Development programme

Overall, what makes Croydon special is our people – both within the council and throughout the borough. Our diverse population has made Croydon a thriving cultural hub, it also makes it a truly unique environment in which to work and practice social work.

If you would like an informal conversation about these roles please contact Lindsey Cruden (Team Manager) at Lindsey.Cruden@croydon.gov.uk or Jonathan Lung (Service Manager) at Jonathan.Lung@croydon.gov.uk

Click here for Role Profile 

Click here for Recruitment Brochure

Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role. Croydon council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. The Successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check.