Social Worker

Purpose of the Job:

Manage a caseload of disabled children and young people aged 0-25 to assess, plan, monitor and review the support/personal assistance needs of service users, working in a person-centred way. Work with the service users and their families/carers to develop a package of support/assistance as they prepare to become adults and in their early adult life that promotes and maintains independence and wellbeing; where appropriate involve other agencies and use community resources to provide equality of opportunity, full participation and inclusion in society.

Main duties and responsibilities:

* Manage a diverse caseload of children, young people and their families, undertaking assessments to determine the needs and capabilities of clients and carers, and drawing up plans of support under the supervision and guidance of a designated supervisor, using agreed eligibility criteria and in accordance with statutory requirements, Directorate and Corporate Policy and National Legislation. Cost any support package and assist the client to access the most appropriate and comprehensive support available through community resources, direct payments or commissioned services. This should be achieved where appropriate within a multi agency environment and in accordance with service users' wishes, directorate budget limits and the requirements of the strategic framework and/or lead commissioning framework relating to the procurement of services.

* Provide and ensure the availability of adequate advocacy arrangements to assist service users towards self-determination of their personal assistance arrangements.

* Identify and where appropriate manage any safeguarding and quality of care issues in line with directorate policy and practice requirements, taking forward appropriate actions and communication with supervisor / line manager/ other directorate officers and develop investigating officer skills.

* Ensure that service users are empowered throughout the assessment, are at the centre of the decision making process and have control over their lives. Develop good working relationships with Education and Health staff to contribute to Education, Health and Care plans and other individual plans to ensure that positive outcomes for children and young people are achieved. In order to develop a holistic response, where appropriate, initiate and develop close working partnerships with Reviewed Sept 2016 other agencies: District Councils, voluntary agencies, the commercial and private sectors.

* Research and maintain a knowledge base of what resources are available in the local community in order to inform decision making on service users' care packages.

* Communicate effectively with clients and families on a range of issues. Be able to manage difficult situations and problems, promote independence including information, benefit maximisation, support services and equipment in order to inform the range of choices available when a person comes to develop their package of support and manage risk. Take into account issues of mental capacity and duty of care as agreed with a supervisor.

* Maintain a personal awareness of legislation relevant to children and adults, departmental and corporate policies and procedures, particularly those relating to the Children Act 1989, Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000, Care Act 2014, the Mental Capacity Act 2005, and any other relevant legislation and case law in order to apply a strong evidence base to ensure consistency and a high quality of service delivery.

* Maintain and keep accurate electronic records using the Social Care electronic system. Write and verbally present reports for formal meetings including reviews, case conferences and court proceedings.

Connect2Staff/Connect2Kent, part of Commercial Services Trading/Kent Ltd, is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business and positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.