Senior Social Worker

Senior Social Worker, British Forces Social Work Service, (BFSWS)

Location: Aldershot / flexibility for remote working across the north and south of the UK

Base Location: Montgomery House, Aldershot

Contract: Full time, 12-month FTC

Salary: £34,000- £40,000 per annum depending on experience

Specific Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Reporting to: BFSWS Safeguarding Manager, British Forces Social Work Service

Benefits: 30 Days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays as normally observed in UK, Life Insurance x 2, Employee Discount Scheme

British Forces Social Work Service (BFSWS) have a new exciting opportunity for 2 social workers to join a brand-new initiative based within the MOD Op Lazurite Team.  The MOD initiative focusses on the provision of support to eligible Afghans, who worked alongside the UK Armed Forces in Afghanistan.  Part of the role will be to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Afghan families, and individuals from the beginning to end of their journeys over from Afghanistan and into the UK, following all Military legislation and agreements, UK Home Office, Local Authority, and Immigration policies and procedures. This role has excellent flexibility for remote working, with the exception of one day a week to be office based in Aldershot for liaisons and team building

Background about us:

Polaris Children’s Services is part of the Polaris Community of companies and delivers statutory and non-statutory social care services in the UK and to military communities overseas.

Since 2014, Polaris Children’s Services, through the British Forces Social Work Service, (BFSWS) have extensive experience of delivering statutory and non-statutory social work services for military communities across the world and are signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant.  We are proud to serve and support military communities worldwide, with an overarching vision that children, families, individuals, and adults at risk will receive the best and most effective evidence-based help and support at the earliest possible opportunity.

Responsibilities:

• To attend Montgomery House with a minimum of every Monday for updates and briefings
• To support welfare staff with safeguarding matters / requirements including the provision of advice and guidance from the commencement of the journey of the child, family, adult at risk or individual
• Represent Op Lazurite in safeguarding meetings in relation to vulnerable adults and children, including child protection
• Subject Matter Expert in support to welfare staff, and contractors, through the provision of advice, guidance, referral into the local authority and attendance at multi-disciplinary meetings such as Local Authority CIN, MARAC, CPCs and mental health meetings as appropriate on behalf of the MOD
• Provide safeguarding advice to the Chain of Command including regular safeguarding reports to the MOD, following guidance and direction from the safeguarding manager
• Undertake welfare/safeguarding home visits when required on behalf of the MOD to assess current situations and to offer information and support, to families and individuals and identify where a referral to CSC or adult services is required
• Work collaboratively with multi-agencies to get the best outcome for children, families, and individuals needing support. Organise and manage packages of support
• Work collaboratively in decision making, manage and mitigate risk of harm to adults at risk, children and young people
• Maintain accurate casework records
• Provide regular statistics to the Senior Safeguarding Responsible Officer
• Represent MOD on Safeguarding matters when required
• Deliver safeguarding training to workforces in DARR and Op Lazurite
• Participate in training, supervision and team meetings
• Travel requirements across the UK sites with overnight stays as required
• There may be a requirement of site visits twice a week
• Re-location / movements – high level of safety planning, for families, vulnerable adults, and unaccompanied minors, with guidance and direction from the Safeguarding Manager
• Participate in the Out of Hours duty rota, which is telephone response only and supported by an Out of Hours safeguarding manager

Outcomes:

• Enhanced safeguarding/protection of adults at risk, children and young people e.g. preventing exploitation, trafficking and abuse by identifying and addressing risks early. Ensure safeguarding under legal frameworks
• Strengthening of safeguarding process e.g. for identifying and reporting abuse, neglect or exploitation within the community
• Compliance with legal and ethical standards e.g. meets UN Refugee convention and local child protection and safeguarding policies
• Improved mental health and physical wellbeing of the community through provision of direct support
• Community trust building e.g. Refugees feel safer knowing safeguarding mechanisms are in place, fostering trust in authorities and integration
• Multi-agency working leading to better outcomes for the community, including those overseeing the project
• Secure sufficient funding and resources
• Improve efficiency by implementing case management software
• Partnership working with involved agencies
• Regularly update/inform stakeholders on progress and challenges
• Highlight progress/success stories to build public support
• Set clear and measurable outcomes, conduct regular audits and adapt the op based on feedback

BFSWS offer to you

• Opportunity to work remotely with flexible working, following initial induction and team integration period
• Monthly clinical supervision provided
• A full induction process provided to include increased understanding and knowledge of the military, and the Op Lazurite project
• Excellent personal administration support offered
• Work within a supportive, flexible and friendly working environment
• Salary based on levels of experience

Requirements:

Essential

• A Professional Social Work qualification (BA (Hons), DIP SW, CQSW, CSS)/ equivalent and must be registered with Social Work England or equivalent.
• Successful completion of a Post Qualifying Award in Social Work
• 3 years post qualification experience working as a qualified and registered Social Worker within a child and family’s team.
• Experience in a broad range of social work roles as well as complex children and family assessment / case management
• Experience of report writing and a good command of the English language
• A comprehensive working knowledge of relevant legislation and child /adult safeguarding procedures
• The willingness and ability to work flexibly, work will include overnight stays within the UK for site visits. This may include some weekend and evening working.
• Full driving licence for manual cars. Use of vehicle for site visits on booking system.
• Participate in the on call out of hours service

Desirable

• Military knowledge / experience desirable
• Computer literacy skills

This is a new initiative; therefore, requirements are subject to change as the contract develops.

Polaris Children’s Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. We expect all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS Check, and local Police check if recruited from outside of the UK, the cost of which will be met by Polaris Children’s Services. Polaris Children’s Services is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates.

Please feel free to contact BFSWS to ask any questions about the role through our CRT BFSWS or telephone 0044 (0) 808 168 3111