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Do you want to join an innovative social work team and bring about genuine change in the lives of children and families? At East Sussex you’ll discover a dynamic organisation dedicated to improving outcomes. Our social work model, Connected Practice, focuses on what’s vital; building effective relationships with children, families, colleagues, and partner organisations as the foundation for change.

We are taking real steps to ensuring our workforce reflects the rich diversity of our communities. We already have a fantastic equality strategy and action plan in place. So, whatever your background we will warmly welcome your application. And, we offer a highly supportive, learning environment where you can work with a range of practitioners, develop your skills to deliver the outstanding* service families deserve.

The Role

The team works with Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children and Young People from the time that they arrive in the UK until they reach 18 as looked after children and continues to work with them as Care leavers until they are 21 or 25 depending on the outcome of their asylum claim. .

The role involves building relationships with the children and young people to support them through the asylum process, promote their development, identity and well being whilst working collaboratively with their carers and the professional network to progress individual Care Plans.

As a senior social worker your role will also include providing supervision and support to leaving care colleagues who continue to work with our young people beyond their 18th birthday.

The salary for the role is £39,215 - £45,334 (Single Status 11–12) per annum.

[Note] Please note that these salaries include a market supplement introduced in July 2021 and are subject to a 3 yearly review– you can view the basic salary on our Salaries scales page

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for qualified social workers who

• have excellent communication skills
• can engage effectively to overcome resistance and build relationships
• can manage workload independently
• apply critical reflection in assessment and analysis utilising a wide range of theory and research to inform planning and evidence based approaches to inform your direct work with the family.
• able to identify and assess risk
• able to demonstrate effective positive change as a result of your direct work
• able to apply the principles of social justice, social inclusion and equality
• ambitious for the young people and they work with and fully committed to making a positive difference.
• able to work as part of a duty team responding to new arrivals and carrying out initial assessment of need
• who are trained to undertake age assessments

Application process

We all know that writing job applications can be challenging and time consuming, so we have removed this from the recruitment process. All you will need to do is upload your CV.

At interview the main areas we want you to tell us about are:

• Your work with children and young people
• How you communicate with others
• Your application of research or theory in practice

Brief and to the point and with some examples is the way to go!

For an informal discussion, please contact one of the following-

Chelsea Walsh, Practice Manager – Through Care, Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children
Work: 01273 335150 | Email: [email protected]

Peter Richards, Operations Manager - Looked After Children
Work: 01323 466720 | Email: [email protected]

Interviews

Our selection events always include a face-to-face interview as a minimum, so that you can talk about your suitability for the role and find out more about us. Sometimes, there’s also an opportunity to participate in work-based activities, such as written assessments, and a young people panel interview.

Interview date will be confirmed at a later date.

Benefits

• help with relocation expenses – up to £8k – on a move of more than 20 miles
• travel benefits – car leasing scheme, season ticket loan, vehicle leasing loan, bicycle loan, interest free loan package for driving lessons
• digitally innovative
• flexible hours
• staff discounts
• counselling and mindfulness
• more information can be found on our benefits page.

Conclusion

So, choose East Sussex, and apply now!

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau). For further information about what is required in this process please go to www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check. Please note that we require evidence of an overseas police check if you have lived or worked abroad.

Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is part-time or term-time only.

Work Permits: we may be able to obtain a Work Permit for this post but this is subject to meeting the requirements of the UK Border Agency’s Points-based Immigration System.

From 6 April 2011 the Home Office has placed a permanent restriction on the number of migrant workers that all Tier 2 (General) Sponsors can recruit. Due to the restrictions we cannot guarantee that individuals that meet the requirements of the Points-based Immigration System will be issued with clearance to obtain work permits.

If you require any reasonable adjustments, due to disability, to enable you to participate fully in the process please contact the hiring manager on the contact details above.

Reasonable adjustments include things like an offline application form. If you would like to discuss your requirements further, please get in touch.

East Sussex County Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitable candidates, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. All applications are treated on merit.