Purpose of the post
•Ensure that the people of Gwynedd are at the heart of everything we do.
•The team works in circumstances to:
•Prevent a child from going into care unless absolutely necessary.
•Return a child home within the first 8 weeks of going into care.
•Return a child home if it is safe to do so.
•Mother/Baby/Residential/Step down
•By providing intensive intervention for a period of time, the team works with families through times of crises to stabilise the situation and reduce risk. Research has shown that the relationship with the family is the most influential factor to contribute to success. The employee needs to be honest, dependable and open. Also, the employee needs to persevere despite any obstacles that may arise. For these reasons, individual caseloads are kept low to provide intensive intervention, build a positive relationship and ensure effective support.
Responsibility for functions
•Computer, mobile phone, pool car
Main duties
•Support children and their families to be actively involved in making decisions about care and support in their life.
•Collaborate with children and their carers to identify 'What matters to them' and find ways to meet personal goals.
•Work in a way that empowers and motivates the children and families, by using a positive approach with the whole family. To build on the skills and strengths of the parent, the children and the extended family to develop resilience, self-reliance and take independent steps.
•Collaborate with children, young people and their carers to plan and deliver a range of interventions or services needed to meet their personal and safeguarding objectives.
•Create an intervention package based on a range of research-based interventions. Discretion and creativity will need to be used to adapt packages according to the individuals' specific needs. There will not necessarily be a fit-for-purpose intervention package without interweaving with various other interventions due to the complexity of cases.
•Lead on an intervention plan tailored to the needs of children and their carers.
•Regularly conduct an assessment of progress, strengths and risk with families and provide reports. Involve social workers and other agencies in the review as needed.
•Make evidence-based decisions
•Agree with parents and families and other agencies on the aims and purpose of the work within safeguarding policies and procedures.
•Record information and prepare reports in accordance with the system's requirements. Participate in court proceedings including giving evidence, providing information and preparing assessments in the form of a report.
•Promote the empowerment of children's voice and support them to get advocacy support.
•Work in partnership with other professions and agencies to further the family's objectives, putting the children at the centre.
•Discover solutions to overcome barriers. Report on obstacles that cannot be overcome locally to the leader.
•Provide information and advice to children and their carers about the support the service can provide and also refer them (with permission) to the wider support services which are available in the community from local and national groups and organisations.
•Present a professional image and work flexibly.
•Practise in a way which is in-line with the principles of the professional code of practice for social care.
•Develop and maintain the specialist knowledge and skills that are necessary to practise, which includes specialist Training (research).
•Develop professional practice through supervision and reflection. Actively participate in regular supervision sessions and in the annual evaluation process.
•Actively participate in team meetings and other relevant meetings as necessary to contribute to the development of the service.
•Always act in accordance with the Authority and Department's policies and procedures.
•Adhere to confidentiality restrictions and Data Protection legislation.
•⁠Be responsible for establishing good working relationships, both internally and externally.
•Comply with the Authority's Policies and Procedures and notify Senior Officers of any areas that have not been adequately addressed.
•Be actively involved in supporting the Authority's principles and practices in terms of equal opportunity, as noted in the Equal Opportunity Policy.
•Employees will be required to provide specific information about themselves so that the Authority can properly fulfil its duties, rights and obligations as an employer. The Authority will process and monitor such data mainly for personnel, administrative and payroll purposes.
•As a condition of your employment and in order to maintain effective departmental operations, you may be required to undertake any other reasonable task, in line with your pay-scale, as determined by your Line Manager or Head of Service.
•Gwynedd is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable groups. All Council employees are expected to be aware of the Corporate Safeguarding Policy and of their responsibility to report any concerns through the appropriate channels and timeframe.
•Ensure compliance with workplace Health and Safety rules in accordance with the responsibilities noted in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.
•To be responsible for managing information in accordance with the Council’s information management guidelines.
•A commitment to reducing the Council’s carbon emissions in accordance with the Carbon Management Plan, and to encourage others to act positively towards reducing the Council’s carbon footprint.
•Responsible for self-development.
•Ensure compliance with Health and Safety rules in the workplace in accordance with the responsibilities noted in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.
•Operate within the Council’s policies in relation to equal opportunities and equality.
•Responsibility for managing information in accordance with the Council’s information management standards and guidelines.  Ensure that personal information is treated in accordance with Data Protection legislation.
•A commitment to reducing the Council’s carbon emissions in accordance with the Carbon Management Plan, and to encourage others to act positively towards reducing the Council’s carbon footprint.
•Undertake any other reasonable duty which corresponds with the salary level and responsibility level of the job.⁠
•Responsible for reporting any concern or suspicion that a child or vulnerable adult is being abused.
Special circumstances
•Work within a flexible framework to meet service requirements outside the usual 9 to 5 hours when necessary.