Job Description

Reference:
25-28605
Job title:
Social Services Practitioner
Directorate:
Children and Supporting Families
Service:
Team 16+
Closing date:
23/07/2025 10:00
Job type/Hours:
Temporary | 31/03/2026 | 37 Hour
Salary:
33,366 - 35,235 a year
Pay Scale:
S3
Location(s):
Caernarfon

Gwynedd Council offers an attractive employment package, for more information please click on this

Information Pack

Gwynedd Council operates internally through the medium of Welsh, and offers all its services bilingually. The applicant will be required to reach the linguistic level noted as one of the essential skills in the Person Specification.


We encourage everyone who applies for a job with Gwynedd Council to submit job applications in Welsh or bilingually.


(Applications submitted in English only or Welsh only will always be treated equally, but we ask applicants to consider carefully what the linguistic requirements of the job in question is and if it would be more appropriate to submit an application in Welsh.)


For further information about this post please contact David Owen on 01286 682727 or via e-mail:: davidowen@gwynedd.llyw.cymru


Application forms and further details available from Support Service, Gwynedd Council, Council Offices, Caernarfon, LL55 1SH


Tel: 01286 679076


E-Mail: Swyddi@gwynedd.llyw.cymru

CLOSING DATE: 10:00 AM, 23/07/2025

The Council will request a Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service for the successful candidate.

If you are successful to be short listed for an interview you will be contacted by E-MAIL using the address provided on your application form. You need to ensure that you check your email regularly.


Recruitment Pack Children and Supporting Families (3).pdf

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

ESSENTIAL

Positive attitude towards service users and co-workers

Committement to work to protect the safety , wellbeing and welfare of children

Able to work as part of a team and as directed by the Team

manager

To display commitment and enthusiasm in relation to acheiving positive outcomes for children , Young people and their families.

To be commited to personal development

To be an effective Communicator and be able to build good relationships

The ability to be creative and imaginative with children and families

Flexibility

The ability to work under pressure

DESIRABLE

QUALIFICATIONS AND RELEVANT TRAINING

ESSENTIAL

5 GCSE's grade C or above

DESIRABLE

Qualification in child care or relevant social care or Health care (e.g. NVQ 3, Diploma in welfare Studies, Child Development)

Evidence of relevant personal development through in service training

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

The ability and experience of working alone and as a member of a team.

The ability to communicate well.

Working in a creative and positive manner.

The ability to work under pressure

The ability to have difficult and challenging conversations

Experience of working with children and families who present with a range of complex needs (mental health challenges, behaviour difficulties, drug and alcohol misuse, domestic violence) and demonstrate an ability to create rapport and build effective relationships.

Knowledge of safeguarding, childcare legislation, local Child Protection Procedures, and an understanding of child development, parenting capacity and risk and protective factors.

Able to build reflective, supportive, and outcome-focused relationships with children and their families.

Experience of planning work in a structured and efficient manner

Attending and contributing to meetings

DESIRABLE

Experience of conducting or contributing towards, assessments, care planning and reviews with clients with complex needs.

Knowledge and understanding of a range of evidence-based approaches including attachment and loss theory, relationship and strength based interventions.

Experience of giving analytical feedback on input and progress in cases

SKILLS AND SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE

ESSENTIAL

IT skills

Knowledge of children's needs and child development

Understanding and commitment to anti-discriminatory and anti oppressive practice

The ability to interpret and record events clearly and accurately

Clean, current driving licence

The ability to prepare quality reports in both English and Welsh

The ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing

Contributing towards devising and implementing plans to meet children's needs.

The ability to formulate and deliver creative packages of support and empowerment tailored to meet the individual's needs.

Evidence of multi-agency awareness and how partnership working will enhance the service delivery and achieve the individual's objectives.

Maintaining supportive relationships with colleagues in social work and external agencies.

Ability to engage children and their families and maintain relationships.

Contribute towards collating appropriate information in order to make informed decisions regarding packages of support.

Understanding of the purpose of supervision.

Awareness of professional self-management

DESIRABLE

Experience and knowledge in relation to interventions methods such as parenting, behaviour management, healthy lifestyles, mindfulness.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

ESSENTIAL

Listening and Speaking - Higher Level

Able to follow a conversation or discussion through the medium of Welsh and English on a professional level and discuss general day to day topics in the field in order to present information and express opinions. Able to give a pre-prepared presentation and respond to any comments and questions on it in Welsh or English.

Reading and Understanding - Higher Level

Able to understand standard written Welsh and English; both formal and informal. Able to gather information from various sources such as letters, reports, articles through the medium of Welsh and English in order to fulfil the post.

Writing - Higher Level

Present written information confidently by letter, more detailed and technical report formats, and respond to written requests conveying information, ideas and opinion in Welsh and English (help is available to check the work).

Purpose of the Post.

Ensure that the people of Gwynedd are at the heart of everything we do. To work alongside and support the social work team in the delivery of services within Children's Services Complete direct work with families under the supervision of a Team Manager To contribute towards undertaking assessments, coordinating interventions and reviewing of services. To inform the Team Manager of any concerns which arise in relation to children's safety. To work in partnership with service users, service providers and the Voluntary and third sector.

Responsibility for functions . e.g. staff, budgets, equipment

Computer, mobile Phone.

Main Duties

Prepare for, and work with individuals, families & others to direction provided by the Social Worker/Team Manager.

Act appropriately upon receiving referrals/new cases, including reviewing case notes and other relevant material prior to making initial contact.

Work with the service user and others (family, carers, support groups and other professionals) as appropriate and under the guidance of the Team Manager within the framework for the social work team.


Demonstrate effective interagency, multidisciplinary and partnership working to provide a best practice service

Plan, carry out, review and evaluate practice with individuals, families & others.

Ensure the implementation of agreed care/support plans under the guidance of the Social Worker/Team Manager in liaison with other agencies and service providers.

Address behaviour in the service user, and others, in a constructive way in order to minimise risk of harm and prevent abuse.

Ensure effective case recording which is accurate and complete using IT systems and software as appropriate.


Under the guidance of the Team Manager use your skills to engage with children and families to ensure that appropriate support & change processes are attempted.


Develop and maintain effective and supportive partnership working with parents and families.

Work in a way which empowers and motivates parents and families.

Support individuals to represent their needs, views and circumstances

Provide clear and accurate reports to the standard and within timescales required in the area of work.

This is a role where interaction with service users and a range of agencies is extensive.

The post holder under the guidance of the Social worker will be required to work in partnership across a challenging, and at times potentially unpopular interventions.


The post Holder will need to effectively work with families including foster carers and be able to balance the needs of expectations of different individuals.

Need to be able to work under the guidance of a Team Manager in a fast-paced office environment.


The post holder must be able to work with a high level of sensitivity and be able to develop effective working relationships.

Manage risk to individuals, families, self and others

Assess and manage risks to individuals, families, self and others and report any concerns to theTeam Manager

Manage and be accountable, with supervision and support, for your own practice.

Comply with the Local Children Safeguarding Board and Departmental child protection procedures and practices.


Comply with all relevant legislation, guidance, national standards and Departmental policies.

Maintain accurate, up-to-date case records and files according to the requirements of the department's policies on data protection, record-keeping and confidentiality.


Proactively participate in individual supervision and performance appraisal reviews.

Contribute positively to the team, through working in co-operation with colleagues and line manager.

Attend team meetings and to participate in any relevant working groups and other departmental and inter agency meetings as necessary.


Take responsibility for continued professional development and attend relevant courses/training


Demonstrate a commitment to and support for the development of best practice

Undertake such other duties as are within the scope of the job purpose, the title of the job.

Work in accordance with the employer's policies and procedures and any relevant statutory requirement.

Involves travel around Gwynedd and beyond - at times some distance within UK, dealing with demanding situations.

Responsibility for self-development. Ensure compliance with Health and Safety rules in the workplace in accordance with the responsibilities noted in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Council's Health and Safety Policy. Operate within the Council's policies in relation to equal opportunities and equality. Responsible for managing information in accordance with the Council's information management guidelines. Ensure that personal information is treated in accordance with Data Protection legislation. Commitment to reducing the Council's carbon emissions in accordance with the Carbon Management Plan, and to encourage others to act positively towards reducing the Council's Carbon Footprint. Undertake any other reasonable duty which corresponds to the salary level and responsibility level of the job. Responsibility to report any concern or suspicion that a child or vulnerable adult is being abused.

Special Circumstances . e.g. the need to work unsociable hours, special working arrangements etc.

Work within a flexible framework to meet the demands of the service outside of the usual 9 - 5 hours when required.

The above indicates an outline of duties only, in order to give an idea of the level of responsibility entailed. This job description is not exhaustive in detail, and job duties may change from time to time without changing its fundamental nature and level of responsibility.