Here in Warrington, we are on our own journey and are proud to be graded Good in all areas in our 2024 Ofsted inspection. It says: -“Social workers told inspectors that they enjoy working in Warrington. They feel valued and benefit from a culture of openness and learning. Workers feel well supported by managers, with supervision taking place regularly, which is mostly reflective and focuses on children. Senior leaders are extremely visible and approachable, listening to staff views. There is a strong focus on and a commitment to workforce development. Warrington has a practice framework and culture which is based on shared values. Social workers are supported to access a wide range of appropriate training opportunities, reinforcing and embedding the learning culture. These opportunities support social workers to develop new skills, enabling them to work very effectively with children and families, along with supporting their professional development”

We have a strong vision for social work practice in Warrington and are developing a new approach to social work. We are currently embedding a relationship-based practice model that has systemic practice at its core. We are working alongside the Centre for Systemic Social Work, who are providing a comprehensive training programme to social workers and managers across our teams.

In Warrington we want all children and families to benefit from high quality and purposeful relationships with professionals. We believe this will help create the best opportunities for people to change and reach their full potential. We also believe one of the most effective ways to improve the outcomes for children and families is through providing our social workers with the best conditions in which they can thrive.

We are based in Time Square; this is a great workspace with hubs and pods in order to provide a great environment to work, furthermore, with cafes and restaurants on the doorstep, with excellent transport links to surrounding areas .So, if you want to make a difference to the lives of vulnerable children and young people with relationship-based practice at the heart of everything we do and develop great relationships, then come and join us in Warrington where we are passionate about our work with children and families.

We have high aspirations for our children and welcome those who share our ambition.

The role

It’s an exciting time to be joining Children Social Care in Warrington, as we have been chosen as a Pathfinder authority for the Families First for Children reforms. We have several opportunities across the duty and assessment teams for Early Help Social Worker.

In relation to this post, we will consider applications for grade 8 and above Social Workers. This role also has a market supplement of £3,000 per a year.

The role

Job Title: Early Help Social worker

Grade: Grade 8

(This is a post for an experience social worker, with progression opportunities)

In 2023, there was an independent review of Children’s Social Care, which led to some new ideas being shared around how services could better help to keep children and families safe. It was decided that ten councils across England would lead the way in putting these changes into practice.

Warrington was selected to be one of those councils, which means that we are now a ‘Pathfinder’ for the Families First for Children reform. Being a pathfinder means that we are making some changes to the way in which we support families.

In response to the reforms and with a commitment to ensuring that families are receiving the right support at the right time, we are in the process of joining together Targeted Early Help and the Social work teams under one umbrella of ‘Family Help.’ This is being supported with the introduction of the ‘Early Help Social Worker’ role.

The role will be to support colleagues in Targeted Early Help to continue to work and act as lead professional when families require support under the auspice of Child in Need.

Applicants for this role should be social work qualified, with a strong knowledge and understanding of the work completed in Targeted Early Help. This role will be linked to the Duty and Assessment teams and based within our Family Hubs with our Targeted Early Help teams.

Applicants should have a strong knowledge of thresholds, and experience of safeguarding and supporting families. They will be required to support and mentor colleagues in Targeted Early Help to continue to work with the families they know well; supporting with assessments, meeting statutory timescales and offering reflections on alternating levels of risk. Workers should be willing and prepared to be part of an innovation, sharing ideas about how the role can evolve and change in keeping with the reforms and the demands of the service.

What's needed?

• Self-motivated and flexible with the ability to use own initiative
• Good organisational skills with ability to prioritise work to deadlines
• Positive approach to managing stress and the ability to work under pressure
• Ability to use IT and present information
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with a range of people including team members, service users, carers, colleagues within the department and with other agencies.
• Ability to prioritise and organise workload to meet targets and respond to unforeseen events.
• Negotiation, problem solving and decision-making
• Ability to adapt to change
• Ability to model and promote excellent practice within the team and to wider audiences

Education, Qualifications and Knowledge

• Recognised social work qualification
• SWE registration
• Evidence of Continuous Professional Development
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, Government policy and guidance

Benefits

As well as a competitive salary, working for us means you get:

• Essential Car Allowance
• 26 days annual holiday - raising to 31 after 5 years of service (pro-rata)
• Access to our attractive and competitive benefits package
• Access to our Health & Wellbeing Programme

Further Information

For an informal confidential discussion please contact Karen Garner – kgarner@warrington.gov.uk or Becky Mullen – bmullen@warrington.gov.uk  

The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

DBS clearance is required.

If you are applying for the job internally, please ensure that you apply via the Careers Page on SAP.

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. Sponsorship is not available for this role; therefore, you must have the right to work in the UK to be eligible for appointment.

Warrington Borough Council is a Disability Confident employer.