Social Worker (IVY) Fixed Term until March 2024

Who are we?

Kibble is Scotland’s specialist provider of services for at risk children and young people. By providing a range of integrated services, we help build positive futures for children and young people aged 5 plus, with complex social, emotional and educational needs.

Job Purpose:

Interventions for Vulnerable Youth (IVY) has been running for the last nine years and has been hosted at Kibble for the last three years. The service is a small non statutory service, funded by the Scottish Government, that offers specialist consultation, risk assessment and intervention for young people who pose a risk to others. With input from Social Work as well as Forensic and Clinical Psychology the service takes a multi-agency approach through psychological formulation. This approach aims to ensure the young people and the professionals supporting them have access to the best advice, practice assessment and interventions.

We are happy to consider flexible working for this role such as remote working, secondments and flexible hours.

Main Responsibilities:

• To be part of a multiagency team providing consultation to professionals around cases with varying degrees of risk related behaviour (e.g., physical violence, harmful sexual behaviour, child to parent violence). It will be expected that you will work in partnership with colleagues within IVY and other professional teams.
• To be involved in gathering information as part of consultations for the purpose of contributing to initial risk formulations, assessments and preliminary recommendations to improve outcomes for young people.
• To complete forensic summary reports following on from consultations.
• To formulate and implement plans for the intervention and/or management of a service user’s risk related behaviour, based on an trauma informed, evidenced based practice while considering the context of the care arrangements.
• To undertake specialist risk assessments using relevant structured professional judgement tools based on the behaviours of concern. Utilising analysis of risk assessments to complete detailed reports to inform risk management for individual service users and to provide advice to other professions on aspects of risk assessment and risk management.
• To implement a range of evidence-based interventions for individuals, carers, staff, professionals based on risk formulations and assessments.
• To provide social work advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals contributing directly to service users’ risk management and care plans.
• To be participate and contribute in external multiagency forums, inclusive of local authorities across Scotland, to support professionals in their care and management, offering specialist advice and support when required.
• Assess and evaluate outcomes of projects and activities within IVY, reflecting on practice and processes to inform the development of new initiatives to improve the IVY service. To be involved in contributing to research, service audit and evaluation with other practitioners in the service.
• Be willing and comfortable presenting at conferences and events, in relation to IVY and related content.

As part of this role, you will receive clinical professional supervision from a senior psychologist and, where appropriate, other senior professional colleagues. You will have the opportunity to progress your knowledge and undertake research in areas that you are passionate about. Training is encouraged as standard and there is a budget to offer specialist training in areas that will benefit both the Social Work Professional and the IVY aims.

Person Specification:​​​​

Education and/or Professional Qualifications

Essential

• A social work degree at BA(Hons) Or Masters level or equivalent professional qualification plus significant relevant experience in youth justice services.

Desirable

• Relevant postgraduate qualification or equivalent relevant experience.
• Further training in AIM 3, SAVRY, START:AV or additional risk assessment would be highly desirable, as would any additional specialist training on structured interventions for young people.

Experience

Essential

• Relevant knowledge and experience of the criminal justice social work and/or youth justice sector and the breadth and impact of issues affecting young people at risk of or involved in offending behaviour. ​​​​​​
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant Scottish Government legislation and policy areas and the complexities of effective implementation.
• Knowledge of child protection procedures
• Experience of working with young people who are engaging in a multitude of risk related behaviours, and their families
• Experience of risk assessment and formulation
• Excellent skills in report writing and risk formulation
• A sound knowledge of social work legislation and be able to contribute this knowledge to professional discussions
• Excellent communication and engagement skills to work with children, their families and a range of professionals to ensure the best possible outcomes
• Have a good knowledge of FRAME and CARM procedures

Desirable

• Recent knowledge and experience of the criminal justice social work and/or youth justice sector drawn from one or more of the following fields: mental health; MAPPA/CARM; young people who present a high risk to themselves and/or others; and child protection.

Job Related Skills and Achievements

Essential

• A strong track record of report writing and risk formulation
• Demonstrable track record in understanding the complexities associated with children presenting a risk to others and how this behaviour can be managed.
• Demonstrate a strong track record of leading on and working with a range of stakeholders at all levels within and across sectors.

Desirable

• Experience of service evaluation, research and presenting at conferences.
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Personal Attributes

• Excellent relationship management skills including strong negotiating and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, particularly in presenting information on complex or sensitive issues.

Track record of success in managing multiple areas of activity.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Benefits:

​​​​​​​Pension, holidays (up to 8 weeks per year, increasing with service), enhanced sick and maternity pay and employee benefits including long service recognition, cash4health, credit union, employee assistance programme, free parking, free meals, gym membership plus access to onsite physio.

Notes:

1. This job outline reflects the main tasks and responsibilities discharged by the post holder at the present time, however, Kibble reserves the right to alter or amend the content of this job outline to reflect changes to the job or services provided, while maintaining the overall character and level of responsibility for the post.
2. Notwithstanding any information or statement described within this job outline, all duties must be carried out in a way that promotes equality of opportunity, dignity and respect for all individuals and which is consistent with Kibble’s stated policy on equal opportunities.
3. The successful candidate will be subject to PVG Scheme Membership. Having previous convictions will not automatically disbar you from working at Kibble (with the exception of offences against children or other vulnerable groups) and every case is taken on an individual basis.
4. The successful candidate will be required to undertake Safe Crisis Management (SCM) training and will require a level of fitness to be able to carry out SCM. The successful candidate must be able to participate fully in this training and be prepared to put this training into practice. The SCM training will consist of two days theory and two days physical training. The successful candidate must complete this training prior to taking up post. Should the candidate for any reason fail any aspect of the SCM training (theory, physical or both parts), an additional input and opportunity would be given to successfully complete the training and achieve the required level of proficiency.
5. Appointments will be subject to a twelve-month probationary period.