Social Worker, Blairgowrie Area Office

Main Purpose of the Role

Social Worker, Blairgowrie Area Office
£38,081 - £40,619 (28.8hrs per week)
Blairgowrie Area Office, 46 Leslie Street, Blairgowrie, PH10 6AQ

Shape lives, build futures - join the Children, Families and Justice Service at Perth and Kinross Council. Guided by the values of compassion, integrity and ambition, our teams make a real difference every day. Whether you're supporting children, families, or adults, you'll be part of a service that puts people first, champions rights-based and person-centred practice and values relationship-based approaches to change lives.
We offer a collaborative, inclusive environment where your voice matters, your wellbeing is supported and your professional growth is nurtured. Be part of a council that recognises the life-changing impact of a service that invests in early intervention, innovation and frontline excellence.

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and families? If so, join our team and play a vital role in promoting safety, wellbeing and positive outcomes for children and young people in our community.

Your role as a Children & Families Social Worker will involve:

• Carrying out comprehensive assessments of need and risk, leading on care and protection plans to support children, young people, and their families.
• Working in partnership with other agencies to strengthen the capacity of individuals and families using our services.
• Responding to child protection referrals, conduct investigations, and make informed recommendations in line with child protection procedures.
• Assessing and advise on the need for compulsory supervision measures both at home and when necessary away from home.
• Making recommendations for children who may require permanent alternative family care.
• Contributing to reviews of children’s needs, providing reports and recommendations to Children’s Hearings and Courts on behalf of the Council.
• Supporting rehabilitation plans and provide ongoing assistance to looked-after and accommodated children.
• Maintaining accurate written reports and records as required.

This post may be suitable for candidates who have recently completed their Social Work Degree but have not yet graduated. In this circumstance, a Social Work Assistant contract will be offered until you receive your qualifying certificate and are eligible to register with the SSSC as a Social Worker.

Please note, we are currently unable to offer sponsorship for this post.

Skills & Experience Required

We are looking for an organised person with a flexible approach who holds the ability to manage time effectively and produce accurate, high quality work, often to tight timescales.

You must hold a recognised social work qualification (Degree in Social Work, DIPSW, CQSW, CSS or other relevant social work qualification) and be registered as a social worker with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

You must have a valid UK driving licence as this post requires you to travel to a variety of locations across Perth and Kinross.

You should have experience in child protection assessment and intervention as well as experience of being responsible for cases with a high level of need, risk and complexity.

We are looking for an ambitious, compassionate practitioner who can demonstrate experience of working with integrity in line with the values of Perth and Kinross Council. We are also looking for a practitioner who demonstrates a rights-based approach that encourages relationship based practice and a focus on the best outcomes for children.

You will be creative, enthusiastic and committed to improving the lives of the people we work with.

You will have empathy and a commitment to supporting children and families to empower themselves and strive for positive outcomes.

You must have an ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of vulnerable children and families and work effectively within a team and demonstrate a commitment to improving current service provision.

You will be required to demonstrate experience and knowledge of working with current social work legislation, regulations and standards. You will be able to demonstrate experience of multi-disciplinary working and be committed to working closely with colleagues from other agencies, contributing to holistic assessment whilst maintaining professional boundaries.

You must have experience in preparing and presenting clear and concise reports for a range of purposes including formal meetings.

You will be a confident communicator, both written and verbally and be computer literate with proven IT skills.

For purposes of connection and collaboration with colleagues and with the community we serve, our full-time employees work on site for a minimum of 2 days per week with the arrangements for part time employees being agreed on a basis which will ensure that they benefit to an equivalent degree. Our FAQs on hybrid working can be found at Hybrid working FAQs (https://www.pkc.gov.uk/media/51581/FAQ/pdf/Current_Hybrid_Working_FAQs_at_feb_2024.pdf?m=1708934302793).

We are committed to being a more inclusive employer - to ensure we can consider any reasonable adjustments, please either contact the recruiting manager to discuss any individual circumstances, discuss at interview or, if you prefer, after any conditional offer is made.

Working at Perth & Kinross Council

Our values and behaviours influence our work and support us in the delivery of our key priorities. In your application, and should you be invited to interview, you will be asked to describe situations that support the criteria required in the role and which also demonstrate our values and behaviours. Find out more about Perth & Kinross Council and you could soon be joining our team!

Here's what we can offer you:

• A generous annual leave package (including public holidays)
• Eligibility to join our pension scheme
• Family friendly and positive work/life balance policies such as Flexible Working, Maternity, Paternity & Adoption leave, time off for volunteering and our Wellbeing Framework
• Flexi time 
• Access to a range of benefits
• Paid PVG Scheme Membership

We recognise there can be benefits to flexible working and where individual jobs allow, we seek to support this. You are encouraged to discuss potential options with the recruiting manager, if this is of interest to you. A healthy work life balance is important to us and we provide supportive management and, where possible, flexible working arrangements to help you achieve that balance. You will have access to training and support for continued professional development.

All new employees have a four-month probationary period. Further details are available in the FAQs at “How to apply for a job or apprenticeship with us”.

Next Steps

We would love to hear from you and would encourage you to get in touch with Deborah Devaney, Team Leader at DDevaney@pkc.gov.uk to find out more.

Click “APPLY NOW”

External candidates are required to provide 2 references, including email addresses. One of these must be your current or most recent employer.

We welcome applications from everyone and as a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to interview applicants who declare a disability and meet the essential requirements of the post. Please contact the the hiring manager above or the Recruitment Team on (01738) 475555 or recruitment@pkc.gov.uk to discuss any reasonable adjustments. Appointments are based on evidence supplied during the selection process.

Diversity is important to us and although some of our jobs may be perceived to be traditionally gender specific, we welcome applications from everyone and would encourage you to apply if you meet the job requirements. That includes welcoming applications from former armed forces personnel/reservists. Many of the skills picked up during your military career could be transferred directly into a role with local government.

Working with children and/or protected adults is regarded as a regulated role and under the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 you will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme update check and maintain your membership.

If you have lived overseas for a period of 12 months or more (continuous or total) within the last 10 years, an Overseas Criminal Record Check will be required. You will be required to provide this check.

A confirmed offer of employment and commencement in the post will be subject to the outcome of the above mentioned mandatory pre-employment checks (including references) and will also include eligibility to work in the UK, qualifications and fitness to undertake the post.