Job Description

About Us:

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THE EXTRAORDINARY STORY OF MELISSA

Children's Services at Westminster City Council and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is a world of extraordinary stories where compassionate people bring everything to their work, including their own experiences of parenting.



Take Melissa, a Senior Social Worker in our Assessment Team. She's one of the first people families meet when accessing our services, so building rapport is critical. And that's where Melissa's life experience really counts. She had her first child as a young adult and knows just how judgemental others can be.



Melissa has something unique to offer and it can't be found in a textbook: her own experience of raising two children as a single parent. She's committed to empowering others: giving them the skills, resources and confidence they need, from housing support to baby supplies. And if the family has older kids? Well, she's been there too. Her youngest is now 15 and Melissa knows the challenges of helping young people navigate inner-city life.



Melissa first learnt her craft as a support worker, then completed her statutory training as social worker - all while raising her family single-handed. And she's not done yet. Supported by her managers, she's been training in systemic therapy and is already looking forward to her next development opportunity.



Melissa's more than a social worker; she's a shining example to the families she works with every day.

The Role:

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As a Social Worker for the Children with Disabilities Team in Children's Services, you too can make a powerful contribution. We offer our care and support to the children and families residing in Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Our "outstanding" work has gained the praise of Ofsted.



Unusually for a social work team, we often see children through each stage of childhood. So, your work could involve supporting post-diagnosis, safeguarding, right through transitioning into adulthood. As a team, we liaise with a wide range of professionals, from health services to schools to the voluntary sector, to ensure that children get the right support.



Your goal is to safeguard and secure the well-being of our children and young people, whilst ensuring that all statutory processes are fulfilled. You'll work to empower families, strengthen their resilience to safely care for their children, and achieve the best outcomes possible.



You'll be attentive and proactive at identifying when a child is at risk or in need. Finding and delivering the best protective support. For children that are unable to safely live with their families, you'll find security and stability. You'll represent the local authority as the corporate parent for children who are looked after or leaving care.



We're a very competent team, focused on delivering top quality work. Join us and help us to improve the lives of the children of Westminster to an even greater extent.



Please refer to the

for more information.

About You:

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You are currently registered with and have a qualification recognised by Social Work England. The expectations of the Children Act 1989 and 2004 are familiar to you.



This is backed by experience working with vulnerable children and families. In particular, you may have worked with disabled children or in an adjacent service, such as Permanency Care Planning, Leaving Care and Child in Need support.



Your approach is based around needs-led planning and reviews. Analysing complex information and implementing SMART plans of action. When you assess needs and risk, you keep the child at the centre, whilst facilitating opportunities for change. When needed, you work collaboratively with a range of professionals.



Plus, you're comfortable engaging and assessing families from a range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. You can understand and support families in overcoming complex problems. From the very young to near adults, you're confident working directly with children, including those with particularly challenging behaviours, underlying vulnerabilities and traumas.



To be a success, you'll need good verbal and written communication skills. This will include writing a range of good quality reports, according to statutory expectations and deadlines. Also, you've got great organisational skills, an ability to manage time effectively, and a knack for balancing the competing demands of direct work, record keeping and statutory processes.



Westminster City Council is committed to supporting Care Leavers into the workplace. Care Leavers seeking their first job and who wish to be considered under our scheme, will automatically be invited to interview should they meet the essential criteria for the role.

What We Offer:

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Westminster is an amazing place. We are home to more than 200,000 residents from all backgrounds, over 50,000 vibrant and vital businesses and three-quarters-of-a-million people work in Westminster. Westminster City Council's strategy is to work towards a Fairer Westminster. A Fairer Westminster is one in which our communities are at the heart of our decision-making and help to determine the city's future. By working directly with our communities and other partners, we can build a more inclusive city that celebrates our diverse communities, and where residents, workers and visitors from all backgrounds will feel welcome and safe.



At Westminster City Council, we pride ourselves on being an inclusive workplace and employer of choice. We encourage and welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that, at all levels, represents the communities we serve. We champion equality, diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, has a sense of belonging and is empowered to be their best, that is the Westminster Way. To find out more about how we do this visit https://www.westminster.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/public-health-strategy-policies-and-reports/equality-duties



As a forward-thinking Council we appreciate that people work in different ways, therefore our staff benefit from working a range of flexible working patterns as well as Agile working.



The Council is a Disability Confident Employer. If you have declared a disability in your application, we guarantee an interview if you meet the essential criteria of the job.





If you are invited for interview, you will be asked if you need any reasonable adjustments in order to attend, and we will make these wherever possible.

We reserve the right to extend or close this vacancy early without warning subject to the volume of suitable applicants.