• This is a permanent full time role, 37 hours per week.
• 33 days Annual Leave
• A supportive management and leadership team

We’re working to improve the lives of children in Somerset – and you’ll be a key part of that. Your day-to-day work will involve:

• Delivering on all aspects of the Independent Reviewing Officer Handbook by chairing Child Protection Conferences and overseeing Child Protection Plans. You will use the Quality Assurance Issue and Resolution Policy to ensure that children, young people and families receive an outstanding service in Somerset. Liaising closely with social work teams through consultation you will have oversight of progression of plans for children and work closely with the Local Authority Designated Officer and at times cover the role.
• You will have a pivotal role in quality assurance and the opportunity to contribute and make a difference to improving outcomes for children. You will be expected to promote high standards of care and support to children who have a child protection plan.
• This is an excellent opportunity to become part of an established, experienced team of practitioners who have a passion for ensuring children receive the best care and support possible. We pride ourselves on our supportive team culture and our willingness to embrace learning to improve our knowledge, practice and outcomes for the families we are working with.

We're looking for someone who has excellent communication skills, is passionate about relationship-based social work and has a good understanding of planning for children.

You should have post-qualifying experience of children and family social work including substantial experience in child protection.

Experience in chairing complex meetings and a good working knowledge of childcare legislation is required.

You must be a qualified Social Worker and be registered with Social Work England. Experience of supervising qualified staff within a relevant professional setting is desirable. There is an element of travel involved across Somerset, we can be flexible with regards to an office base.

We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, working as part of a team who are passionate about the work they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset.

We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:

• We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
• Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave
• Staff discounts in gyms.
• Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
• Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
• A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.
• My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more

For an informal discussion please get in touch with Jade Hill via email Jade.Hill@somerset.gov.uk

Interviews will take place on 20 May in the afternoon.

£49,464 per annum remuneration package includes a £3,000 recruitment allowance per annum for one year

In this role you will require a criminal background check via Disclosure and Barring Service.