Senior Social Worker

Job Description

Employer: Kingston Council
Location: Kingston
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: Full Time
Grade: I
Hours Per Week: 36
Salary Range: £45,510 – £50,574
Salary Basis: Per annum
Leave Entitlement: 30 days
Application Deadline: 29/01/2025, 23:55
Anticipated Interview Date(s): ASAP

About the Borough

Kingston, a historic borough in South West London, is the UK’s first Royal borough, where the first kings of England were crowned. Today, it is a vibrant, culturally rich area that blends a thriving town centre with beautiful riversides, parks, and gardens. Kingston’s mix of history, culture, and diverse communities, including a large Sri Lankan Tamil population and the highest number of Koreans in the UK, creates a unique atmosphere.

Kingston is well-connected, with direct train links to Clapham Junction, London Waterloo, and Wimbledon (Zone 6), making it one of the most accessible areas in London.

Kingston is also home to Kingston University, the Rose Theatre, and the International Youth Arts Festival, contributing to the borough’s creative, entrepreneurial spirit. The community has shown incredible resilience and support, especially during COVID-19, making Kingston a caring and forward-thinking place to live and work.

About the Role & Our Ideal Candidate

We are seeking a Senior Social Worker to join our team and assist senior members in supervising social care staff. This role involves managing complex cases, overseeing safeguarding enquiries, supervising staff, and helping to manage the team’s duty system.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage a caseload of complex cases, including those involving high levels of risk.
• Conduct safeguarding enquiries and provide oversight for staff-led enquiries.
• Offer both formal and informal supervision to team members.
• Assist with the day-to-day operation of the team and deputise in the absence of the Team Manager/Deputy.
• Contribute to service development as part of the Lead Practitioner group.
• Oversee the allocation of cases and staff supervision.
• Support the creation of care plans, ensuring that support is both effective and outcome-focused.
• Share responsibility for managing the team’s duty system.

Our Ideal Candidate:

• A qualified social worker, registered with Social Work England.
• Demonstrable post-qualification experience in adult social care, particularly with complex and high-risk cases.
• Experience in adult safeguarding enquiries and managing high volumes of work.
• Previous experience in supervising social care staff is highly desirable.
• Excellent communication skills, a strong understanding of relevant legislation, and the ability to build effective relationships.

About Us

The Community Learning Disability Team is a dedicated, friendly team that provides care management and safeguarding in line with the Care Act 2014, the Mental Capacity Act 2005, and other adult social care legislation. We work collaboratively with a multi-disciplinary team that includes psychologists, therapists, nurses, and other professionals to support adults with learning disabilities and complex needs.

We also provide a transition service for young people moving from children’s to adult services, in line with the Children and Families Act 2014.

Benefits:

• Regular supervision and appraisals to support your professional development.
• Opportunities for further training and career growth.
• Competitive salary and Local Government Pension Scheme.
• A supportive, friendly working environment.
• Excellent public transport links and flexible working arrangements.
• Access to a wide range of employee benefits, including:
• Generous leave entitlement and public holidays.
• Three volunteering days per year in Kingston.
• Discounted local shopping, gym memberships, and leisure facilities.
• Interest-free season ticket loans and bicycle loan schemes.
• Confidential wellbeing and counselling support.
• Subsidised gym membership.

Our Offer to You:

At Kingston, we are committed to supporting and nurturing talent, offering a collaborative environment where your ideas are valued. We operate a hybrid working model, allowing staff to work flexibly from different locations, supporting work-life balance while meeting organizational needs.

We are an accredited London Living Wage Employer, ensuring all staff, whether permanent or contractors, are paid according to the cost of living.

Application Process:

Please submit your online application, highlighting the skills and experience that make you a strong candidate for this role. Refer to the job profile when completing your application.

The closing date is a guideline, and the vacancy may close earlier if sufficient applications are received, so early application is encouraged.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion:

Kingston Council is proud to be an equal opportunities employer and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, and disabled candidates, as these groups are currently underrepresented in our workforce.

We are a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.

Additional Information:

As part of the recruitment process, a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required for this role to ensure the safety of vulnerable groups.

We are committed to removing barriers and enhancing workforce diversity through ongoing training and inclusive recruitment practices.