About the role
We have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Social Worker to join the Safeguarding Quality Assurance Team within North Northants Council.
This newly created, specialist role is to support the continuous improvement of social work practice in safeguarding, within the Adult Social Care Directorate. This is a hybrid role and there is an expectation to be in the office on a weekly rota and as circumstances dictate.
Within this developmental role, you will support with promoting Making Safeguarding Personal a strengths-based and outcome-focussed way of working, embedding co-production in day-to-day practice, support with improvements in Key Performance Indicators and with work related to Channel Panel, Adult Risk Management (ARM) and Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangement (MAPPA) Meetings etc.
We are looking for someone with a relevant professional qualification in Health or Social Care.
The ideal candidate will also provide managerial support for employees within the Safeguarding Quality Team.
Main Responsibilities:
In the absence of the Team Manager, and within a scheme of delegation, to take summary decisions to ensure effective running of the team and use of resources.
To support with attending Channel Panel and Multi-Agency Public Protection Meetings etc.
To contribute to the monitoring of the budget in accordance with the service policies and procedures and complying with all financial regulations.
To develop, implement and maintain effective performance management and quality assurance systems and to use the information to ensure continuous improvement in delivery of services.
To contribute to the recruitment and induction of staff.
To contribute to the development and delivery of the team service plan.
To support staff and to ensure through training, development and appraisal programmes that they can maintain professional standards and deliver an effective service to people, carers and other agencies.
To commit to and develop effective partnership working with specified agencies and organisations.
To assume the role of lead practitioner in certain situations of specific complexity or of a particular specialist nature.
To ensure the implementation of electronic data systems to effectively manage information on staff customer services.
Demonstrate awareness/understanding of equal opportunities and other people’s behavioural, physical, social and diverse welfare needs.
What will you be doing?
- To embed quality assurance processes and provide and maintain a high quality of direct practice within the team, in line with the Directorates policies and procedures, to promote independence, social inclusion and the safeguarding of adults.
- To undertake delegated responsibility for the functioning of the team.
- To keep accurate records and log actions for tracking.
About you
- We are keen to recruit a motivated, committed and energetic person to fill this role.
- You may be an existing PSW or an experienced social worker who is ready to take on a supervisory position.
- We are looking for someone who has the experience and ability to assist the Safeguarding Quality Assurance Team in continuing to develop their confidence and skills and work with our partners and stakeholders by promoting Co-production in day-to-day practice.
- You need to have a good understanding of safeguarding principles in line with the Care Act 2014.
- The successful candidate needs to be a good decision maker and able to support the team.
Our benefits
We offer:
- a competitive salary
- a pension scheme, where we pay a significant contribution on top of your contribution. It provides life cover and ill-health protection.
- opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council
- generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days
- agile and flexible working arrangements to help you with a healthy work-life balance.
About us
We are a new unitary council, established in April 2021; we are one of the largest unitary councils in the country. Our vision for North Northants is to be 'A place where everyone has the best opportunities and quality of life'.
Our priorities are:
- helping people live active fulfilled lives
- caring for our young people, providing them with high quality education and opportunities
- enabling a thriving and successful economy
- leading on a green and sustainable environment
- ensuring our communities are connected so they can shape their lives and where they live
- providing modern public services
Our values, as chosen by our staff, are - Customer-focused, Respectful, Efficient, Supportive and Trustworthy.
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