Assessment and Support Social Worker

Islington Permanence Team Assessing Social Worker

A great opportunity has arisen to join the Islington Permanency Team as an assessing Social
Worker. Your main role will be to hold a small case load, undertaking detailed assessments
with friends and family members who want to offer permanent care for a child. You will also
need to show that you have experience of working directly with vulnerable families who are
in need of additional support.

The assessments usually relate to prospective Special Guardianship Orders, or may be under
a family and friends foster care arrangement. In this instance, responsibilities would include
undertaking the Supervising Social Worker role and presenting your assessment to the
fostering panel.

We are a lively, enthusiastic and welcoming team and there are opportunities for ongoing
development and learning within Islington and the 6 north London Consortium boroughs.
We are looking for a social worker with experience of working effectively in partnership with
carers, writing clear and evidence based assessments within tight timescales and confident
in giving evidence in court. We need social workers who are caring, thoughtful and
empathic, balanced with good use of authority and analytical skills to work with Special
Guardians and family and friends carers.

There is a strong emphasis on relationship based social work with applicants, building on a
strength based approach. The service for Looked After Children in Islington is trained in
Motivational Practice and Dyadic Development Psychotherapy (DDP). You will also be
offered training and support through individual, group supervision and practice
observations to enable you to develop your skills in supporting children who have
experienced trauma and their carers using a therapeutic parenting approach.
To be successful in this application, you would need to be willing to undertake assessments
anywhere in the UK or Ireland (once Covid restrictions are lifted) and there may be the
opportunity to undertake international assessments, if jurisdiction permits.

This post attracts a Zone 1-2 Travel card, retention bonus after one year, up to two
additional increments for practice teaching or post-qualifying awards, professional
development opportunities, good pension scheme and generous holidays, flexible working
arrangements, an experienced management team, key worker housing on successful
completion of probation.

If you would like an informal discussion about the post you can contact the team manager,
Maureen Molloy, on 0207 527 4408 or email Maureen.molloy@islington.gov.uk

In your application please make sure you address each Essential Criteria (E1 to E18) on the
person specification related to this post. You will find it at the end of the attached job
description.

Closing date: Sunday 20th December 23.59pm

Motivational interviews will take place on Thursday 7th January 2021.

If you are successful at that stage you will be invited to attend a technical interview panel on
Friday 8th January 2021