Children’s Social Worker – AR

Location: Cheshire East Council
Grade: 10
Reports to: Team Manager

About the Role

Cheshire East Council is looking for an experienced Children’s Social Worker to join its Children’s Social Care service.

The successful candidate will manage an allocated caseload of children and families, carrying out assessments, identifying risks and needs, and providing appropriate social care interventions. You will work to safeguard children from risk of significant harm while promoting their wellbeing, independence and positive outcomes.

The role will involve working closely with children, families, foster carers and a range of partner agencies to ensure that children receive the appropriate support and care.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess the social care needs of children and families, including identifying risk and safeguarding concerns.
• Determine appropriate interventions and make recommendations regarding Children’s Social Care services and other available resources.
• Manage an allocated caseload in line with statutory requirements, Council policies and service priorities.
• Undertake assessments and contribute to effective care planning for children in need and Looked After Children.
• Work with and support foster carers where required, including contributing to foster carer assessments and support.
• Liaise and work collaboratively with schools, health professionals, police, voluntary organisations and other partner agencies.
• Ensure children and young people are listened to and that their views, wishes and lived experiences inform assessments and care plans.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date case records and complete all required statutory documentation.
• Attend supervision, team meetings, reviews and other relevant meetings.
• Evidence the outcomes and impact of interventions on the child’s journey.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of Children’s Social Care services.
• Support and contribute to the development of students and other staff where required.
• Keep knowledge and practice up to date through training and professional development.
• Work flexibly across Cheshire East and undertake irregular or unsocial hours where required.

Essential Requirements

• Recognised Social Work qualification such as CQSW, DipSW or equivalent.
• Current HCPC registration.
• Experience working within Children’s Social Care/childcare.
• Experience of assessing the needs of children and families and managing social work casework.
• Knowledge and experience of care planning for children in need.
• Understanding of safeguarding and the legal framework surrounding children’s social care.
• Experience working effectively with partner agencies and professionals from other disciplines.
• Ability to manage a caseload independently and prioritise competing demands.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to evidence outcomes and demonstrate the impact of social work interventions.
• Ability to ensure children’s views and lived experiences are reflected in assessments and plans.
• Commitment to working as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working with Looked After Children (LAC).
• Experience of fostering services and supporting or assessing foster carers.
• Experience working within a statutory/local authority social care environment.
• Experience supervising or mentoring staff/students.
• Planning and delivering training or support to carers.
• Knowledge of Children’s Social Care information systems.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for a confident and motivated Children’s Social Worker who can manage their own caseload, make sound professional decisions and work proactively to safeguard children and improve outcomes.

You will need to be able to work autonomously while also working effectively with colleagues, families and partner agencies. Experience with Looked After Children, care planning and fostering would be particularly relevant to this position.

HCPC registration and a recognised Social Work qualification are essential.

Additional Requirements

• Willingness and ability to travel throughout the Cheshire East borough.
• Ability to work irregular and unsocial hours when required.
• Good IT skills and the ability to use social care information systems.
• Strong commitment to confidentiality, data protection and professional standards.