Responsibilities

• Under the supervision, guidance and direction of the Team Manager and, where delegated,
  the Assistant Team Manager, deliver the service in accordance with statutory responsibilities
  and BCP service objectives.
• To manage a caseload appropriate to the primary function of the team, acting as the case
  coordinator or ‘lead professional’, undertaking appropriate assessments, and maintaining
  responsibility for creating and delivering outcome focussed plans in a timely manner.
• To ensure that all service users including children and young people and carers are fully
  enabled to participate in planning and decision making concerning their own lives and that
  any complaints and representations are dealt with effectively.
• To participate in and contribute to the continuous improvement and development of the
  children’s specialist services, including providing oversight and support to other professionals.
• To ensure that work undertaken meets expectations and to make sound professional and
  financial decisions in accordance with policies and procedures and as outlined in service unit
  and borough quality assurance and performance management systems.
• To meet and maintain Social Work England professional standards including continuous
  professional development

1. Undertake timely assessments and analysis of need and risk, working with families and
   networks of professionals to create and deliver outcome focussed plans.
2. Ensure that children and young people and carers are aware of their rights and are
   enabled to participate meaningfully in planning, and in decision making including through
   the use of independent advocates if required.
3. Provide support and intervention based on best evidence to meet individual child and
   family needs.
4. Secure access to services, negotiating and challenging other professionals and
   organisations to provide the help required.
5. Undertake effective direct work with individual children and families or foster or adoptive
   carers as part of an agreed plan
6. Where appropriate, chair professional and formal meetings in relation to service users,
   e.g. Child in Need meetings and core group meetings..
7. Make effective use of supervision to enhance and reflect on own practice, seek advice on
   individual cases, develop personal resilience, and to promote continuous professional
   development.
8. Contribute to team and unit duty rotas, ensuring that service users, professionals and
   other members of the public are dealt with appropriately and promptly.
9. Attend and participate in team meetings to actively promote effective professional working
   relationships, to maintain up to date knowledge of organisational requirements and to
   share good practice.
10. Participate in specific service development projects as agreed with the Team Manager
    including the development of effective working relationships with a wide range of internal
    and external partners and stakeholders. Where appropriate, this will include representing
    the team or wider service in meetings and other forums.
11. Maintain and extend professional knowledge and skills via continuous professional
    development, reflective practice, team events, attendance at relevant training, and through
    working towards formal post-qualifying learning opportunities as appropriate.
12. Maintain knowledge of relevant research, government guidance, legislation and best
    practice in relation to child care and the specialist service area to which appointed.
13. Efficiently and effectively maintain case records on local information recording systems
    and ensure these records are maintained in line with legislative requirements and Borough
    policy and procedure.
14. Where relevant, provide case direction to support or specialist workers undertaking
    specific pieces of work, bringing relevant issues regarding staff performance and case
    management to the attention of the Team Manager.
15. As appropriate, contribute to the training and learning of qualified social workers, social
    work students, non-social work staff, prospective or approved foster carers or adopters to
    promote knowledge and skills.
16. Provide mentoring support, supplementary reflective supervision or formal assessment of
    the practice of others working towards the Practice Educator Standards ( Level 2/ Level 3).
17. Uphold the policy and procedure of BCP Council and ensure that services are delivered in
    a way which addresses the particular needs of all service users and does not negatively
    discriminate against an individual or group.
18. Comply with all decisions, policies and standing orders of the Council and any relevant
    statutory requirements, including Equal Opportunities legislation, the Health and Safety at
    Work Act and Data Protection Act.
19. Undertake any other duties as may be required from time to time commensurate with the
    level of post.