CHILDREN FIRST AND AT THE HEART OF ALL WE DO

DUDLEY CHILDREN'S SOCIAL CARE

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Our learning and development offer

Our learning and development offer provides a comprehensive of package of training, development, resources, and support  delivered through our new and innovative Centre for Professional Practice.

Our new approach is reaping rewards. All staff are provided with all of the necessary opportunities to fully develop their skills and knowledge. We now:

  • Have a flexible, valued and motivated workforce who are provided with clear pathways for career development and progression

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  • Provide staff with a clear benchmark for standards and expectations

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  • Promote a culture of learning and continuing professional development through the provision of a comprehensive training package aimed at all social work staff across all tiers 

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  • Equip managers to provide high quality and reflective supervision and support to their workforce, so staff are competent and confident in discharging their duties, encouraging a culture of continuing professional development

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  • Continue to enhance our team hub-working. We have aligned Advanced Social Work Practitioners to each area of social work to support practice. This is also helping to enable social workers and managers to work closer together to share ideas, concerns and solutions to complex child welfare and protection problems

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  • Work in partnership with West Midlands Teaching Partnership and Future Social and our 26 regional partners to influence and support good practice 

 

Learning & Development

The comprehensive learning and development programme which we offer aims to:

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  • Improve the quality of assessments and care planning

  • Enhance social worker knowledge and skills

  • Ensure  comprehensive case notes and care plans so there is a clear articulation with evidence of the needs of children and families, from the point of referral through to the end point of the child’s journey

  • Ensure effective supervision and management oversight of social work practice, where workers feel fully supported

  • Ensure that students and newly qualified social workers will be better prepared and supported in their placements and first year of employment

 

 

What's on offer to you?

We offer:

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  • A bespoke induction package

  • Agile working including working from home opportunities and flexi-time arrangements

  • Permanent team managers who know the service well

  • Manageable caseloads

  • Onsite free parking

  • Research opportunities with West Midlands Teaching Partnership

  • A comprehensive and enhanced learning and development programme developed alongside the government’s new accreditation scheme and provided by our innovative Centre for Professional Practice.

  • A service-wide Restorative Practice training programme with ongoing implementation of practice across all services

  • On-line membership to CoramBAAF Adoption and Fostering Academy and Research in Practice

  • Excellent staff engagement opportunities with staff briefing sessions, team manager meetings, staff reference groups 

  • Generous relocation package

  • Local Government Pension Scheme

  • A generous annual leave entitlement

  • Defined career progression and pathway opportunities

  • Car sharing scheme

  • A cycle purchase scheme

  • Childcare vouchers

  • Paycare health scheme (Contributory)

  • Travel pass

  • Discounted leisure centre benefits

  • Castle and Crystal Credit Union (Savings and Loans)

  • KAARP benefits (Discount Vouchers)

  • Provide a whole raft of information, advice and support on all things that will help you keep well at work. From ways to look after your mind and body to support to help you make changes to live a healthier life . This includes restful sleep courses, counselling and advice services.. 

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What we are looking for?

We are keen to hear from you if you have the following qualifications, experience and personal qualities:

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  • Social Work England registration

  • Extensive experience of working with vulnerable children and their families

  • Resilient under pressure

  • A thorough working knowledge of professional social work practices and all relevant legislation

  • A commitment to recognising children’s voices and encouraging family participation in decision-making

  • The capacity to intervene effectively within situations of increasing complexity and challenge

  • An effective team player and communicator, you'll be confident in creating and delivering engaging and accurate information to a range of audiences

  • Committed to Dudley Council's values and respectful of diversity at all times

  • Energy, drive, and commitment to improve outcomes for young people in Dudley