Children Social Worker - Watford

Ackerman Pierce is recruiting for 1 Children Social Worker position within the Watford 1 and one for Watford 2 FS Teams - Family safeguarding. This opportunity is suited to a committed professional who can undertake purposeful statutory social work and work alongside children, young people and families to improve safety, stability and long-term outcomes.

The successful candidate will join an established local-authority service and work with colleagues, individuals, families, carers and partner organisations as appropriate to the assignment. The emphasis will be on timely, well-reasoned practice, clear communication and achieving safe, person-centred outcomes.

Key responsibilities

• Complete timely, evidence-based assessments of children and families in accordance with the service remit.
• Develop, implement and review clear plans that place the child's lived experience and outcomes at the centre of practice.
• Identify and respond to safeguarding concerns, escalating risk and taking statutory action where required.
• Undertake direct work with children, young people, parents and wider family networks.
• Work effectively with education, health, police and other partner agencies through meetings and coordinated planning.
• Maintain analytical records, reports and case documentation that meet statutory and organisational standards.

Candidate profile

• A qualified Social Worker with the professional registration required for the assignment.
• Relevant experience within children's services and a sound understanding of statutory safeguarding practice.
• Able to build purposeful relationships while maintaining professional curiosity, clear boundaries and confident decision-making.
• Organised and resilient, with strong written communication and the ability to manage a demanding caseload.

Service information and working arrangements

Watford 1 and one for Watford 2 FS Teams

Family safeguarding

The successful candidate will need to have a minimum of 3 years post qualified experience, ideally within frontline childrens teams.

Hybrid working - team meetings onsite

Must be able to travel within the county - MUST BE CAR DRIVER with access to own vehicle

To safeguard and promote the health and wellbeing of children, young people and support their families and carers by working with cases appropriate to your assessed experience, skills and knowledge:

• To manage and be professionally accountable, with supervision and support, for your own social work practice - to children, young people, families, carers, groups, individuals and partner agencies.

Give children (age appropriate in a child centred way), young people, families, carers, groups and partner agencies sufficient time to work with the plan properly

• Plan, carry out review and evaluate impact of multi-disciplinary plans
• Continually reassess cases in relation to risk and refer to the Team Manager for direction
• Respect confidentiality and explain when there is a need to share information with others
• Recognise the expertise of individuals, children, families, carers, groups, individuals and partner agencies about their own circumstances, position and have regard for their wishes and feelings. Learn about the family’s customs, religion and culture.
• Maintain professional standards of contact with children, young people, parents/carers, families, other professionals and voluntary agencies
• Work with individuals, young people, families, carers to develop and/or maintain independence, including involving individuals, children (age appropriate in a child centred way) young people, families, carers, groups and partner agencies to support groups and networks and support them in extending their involvement .
• To produce court reports of a good standard and within deadlines set by the courts.
• To represent the Council at court as required by the Team Manager and to instruct Counsel and Council solicitors as appropriate. To give evidence as required in both public and private proceedings.

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