Social Worker (Permanence Team)

Job Description

At West Dunbartonshire Council, we are committed to improving the lives of children and families in our community. Our Permanence Team plays a pivotal role in achieving positive, secure and stable outcomes for children who are unable to live with their birth families.

We are seeking a dedicated and skilled Social Worker to join our Permanence Team. This is an exciting opportunity to work within a supportive and dynamic environment aimed at making a lasting difference in the lives of children and young people.

As a Social Worker within the Permanence Team, you will:

* Undertake comprehensive assessments to determine the most appropriate long-term care arrangements for children and young people in need of permanence. * Contribute to the development and implementation of permanence plans for children and young people including adoption and long-term fostering. * Work closely with children, families, foster carers and other professionals to ensure that the needs of the child or young person is at the heart of decision-making. * Provide ongoing support to children and carers during this period to ensure stabilkity and promote positive outcomes. * Prepare and present reports for Permanence Panels, Children's Hearings and Court Proceedings as required. * Contribute positively to the overall development of the Permanence Team through sharing skills, knowledge and experience in this area of work.

We are looking for an experienced professional who is;

* A qualified Social Worker and is registered with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)

* Has experience in child protection and permanence planning

* Demonstrates excellent assessment, communication and report-writing skills

* Is committed to promoting the rights and well-being of children and young people

* Thrives in a collaborative and challenging environment

If you are interested in this post and wish to have an informal discussion then please do nothesitate to contact either Mark Mulvenna (Senior Manager) or Allyson Pender (Senior Social Worker) on 0141 562 8800

Requirements

This post is considered as Regulated Work with Children and Adults under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 and as such membership with the PVG scheme is essential. Further details of this scheme can be found here.

Preferred applicants will be required to become members of the relevant PVG scheme, or undergo a PVG Scheme update check prior to a formal offer being made by West Dunbartonshire Council.

Responsibilities

The employment for which you are applying is excepted from the provisions of section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applicants are, therefore, not statutorily entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are "spent" under the provisions of the Act. In the event of employment any failure to disclose such convictions could result in dismissal or disciplinary action.

The Individual

WDC was voted one of the top ten flexible employers and prides itself in providing flexible working to support work life balance. In addition to this there are also additional benefits:

• Access to the Local Government pension scheme (LGPS) with an employer’s contribution of at least 19.3% and all associated benefits
• A minimum of 25 days annual leave, increasing a day each year up to 35 days as well as 8 fixed public holidays each year
• Access to employee wellbeing supports including occupational health & counselling if ever you need help and support

Now that you have read the role and what we have to offer, we would love to hear from you. Please use the application to tell us your experience, and why you are the candidate for this role.

For information about West Dunbartonshire Council please click on the following link and see why we are an employer of choice:

http://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/jobs-and-training/working-for-us/about-us/

More information on the benefits of working within West Dunbartonshire Council, can be found using the following link:

http://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/jobs-and-training/working-for-us/benefits-of-working-with-us/