Consultant Social Worker: Secondment Opportunity

Transcription

1 Dear Candidate, Consultant Social Worker: Secondment Opportunity I am delighted that you are interested in learning more about the role of the Consultant Social Worker and the Frontline Programme. Frontline develops outstanding social workers to improve the lives of vulnerable children. We recruit high potential graduates and career changers into children s social work, and offer them excellent academic and on-the-job training with a focus on the quality of practice. Frontline draws upon a unit-based delivery model, systemic and other evidence-based social work approaches. The Consultant Social Worker plays a pivotal role in this pioneering approach to developing the next generation of outstanding social workers. The Consultant Social Worker s role is to lead four participants, supervising and developing these individuals to give them a rich practice learning experience. The Consultant Social Worker must therefore be first and foremost an outstanding child and family social worker themselves, with the knowledge and skills to build purposeful and productive relationships and to use effective social work approaches to helping families change. In addition, they must possess the leadership qualities required to tackle the challenges of exposing four participants to the realities of practice in a way that makes them highly effective professionals. We are looking for those individuals who understand good practice and who want to see social work transformed to achieve the best outcomes for children and families. Whilst candidates must have experience of frontline child protection social work, commitment to and confidence in their own practice is more important than length of experience. Also, the candidates that apply for this role do not need to be already trained in the evidence based approaches that form the basis of Frontline s approach. The successful candidate will undertake the Consultant Social Worker Practice Leadership training, which is a bespoke training programme devised for this role. Frontline wants to invest in your own development as a practitioner and as a teacher in practice. If you are interested in this secondment opportunity please look through this Applicant Pack which contains further details of the role and person specification, the training opportunity offered, and further information to explore the kind of person we are looking for. Please click on the link for further information. Please see the attached document What happens next for details on how to apply. Good luck! Yours sincerely, Josh MacAlister Chief Executive

2 Frontline Consultant Social Worker What happens next? The Consultant Social Worker role is pivotal to the success of the Frontline model so it is essential that our recruitment process identifies the right candidate. Our recruitment process is therefore slightly different to a traditional approach. Application form and video interview. If you would like to apply for the role, you will need to complete a standard local authority application form as well as taking part in a video interview. Details for this are below. Assessment Day. Those candidates who are shortlisted at the video interview stage will be invited to an Assessment Day. This is a full day commitment where you will complete various activities in order for us to assess your suitability for the post. These include -a competency based interview -a written activity -a listening activity -a role play activity. The Assessment Day is a great opportunity for you to show us why you are right for the CSW role by demonstrating your skills in different contexts. We ve found that a simple traditional interview does not always show candidates in their best light; but the Assessment Day activities really give you the chance to show us your strengths in terms of -practice education skills, -social work practice -management skills. The Assessment Day can sometimes be a little bit daunting for candidates but feedback we ve received shows that ultimately, people generally find it a really positive experience with lots of opportunities to excel. How to apply There are 2 parts to the application process. You need to complete BOTH parts in order for your application to be considered. 1. Apply to the local authority You will need to complete a standard local authority application form accessed through their website. You should complete the Personal Information, Employment History and Education & Qualifications sections. You DO NOT need to complete the Additional Information section of the Application Form. Submit the application form to the local authority as per their instructions. 2. Complete a video interview a. You will need to request a link to the video interview by ing Claudia Cruz Alvarez, Frontline Regional Programme Co-ordinator. Claudia.cruzalvarez@thefrontline.org.uk. It is best to do this from your personal .

3 b. Claudia will send you an which contains a link to the video interview and instructions on how to complete it. The video interview is a great opportunity for us to get to know you in advance of the Assessment Day. The video is to be recorded by you remotely, and we will review it shortly after the application deadline. It s a simple process which will take around 20 minutes to do and can be completed using a mobile phone, tablet or laptop. You will be given clear instructions on how to set it up. We will ask you 4 questions and you will be given a set amount of time to record your answer. You will have time to prepare your answer. The answers you give to the questions will be used to determine whether you will be shortlisted and invited to the Assessment Day. The applications needs to be submitted by 7 th July The Assessment Day is 18 th July We would encourage people to contact us for more information about the Frontline Consultant Social Worker Post. Please contact- please contact Allan Brownrigg Frontline Head of Region on If you have any technical problems with the platform we use for video interviews, please contact LaunchPad support at support@launchpadrecruits.com Consultant Social Worker Overview Information

4 The Programme Frontline s mission is to transform the lives of vulnerable children by recruiting and developing outstanding individuals to be leaders in social work and broader society. These individuals, known as participants, undertake a two year programme which is made up of an intensive Summer Institute (a five week course teaching the theory and foundational skills underpinning good social work), two years in a local authority learning undertaking frontline social work, and leadership development throughout. The Consultant Social Worker role is pivotal to the participants first year on the programme. Following the Summer Institute, participants will be placed in units of four ( Participant Units ) in child in need /child protection services in local authorities across our London & South East, North West, North East and West Midlands regions. Each Participant Unit will be led by a Consultant Social Worker. It is this formative experience of frontline social work that will shape the practice of these participants, and therefore it is the crucial role of the Consultant Social Worker to model good practice and lead participants in their learning. The Consultant Social Worker also plays a role in assessing and grading practice. At the end of the first year the participants will be ready to qualify as social workers with a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work. At this point the Participant Unit ceases and the participants, who are now newly qualified social workers, join social work teams as employees in the same local authority. During their ASYE stage they undertake a Master s degree. The Opportunity This is a unique opportunity to be part of a pioneering programme that develops new social workers to transform the lives of vulnerable children and families. The Consultant Social Worker position offers the chance for outstanding social workers to take on a management-level role without leaving practice. The Consultant Social Worker must model a high level of skill in social work practice as well as supervising participants to develop their own skills and confidence in working with children and families. Frontline will place significant investment in successful applicants. All successful applicants will complete the Consultant Social Worker Practice Leadership training programme, delivered by fully qualified systemic trainers. This is a bespoke training programme that will continually develop both your practice and your supervision and leadership skills. The training programme focuses on a number of core areas including: Systemic Theory and its application in social work practice, Motivational Interviewing technique, and Social Learning Theory. In addition to this, the programme will develop the Consultant Social Workers understanding of the Unit Model (which is based on the Reclaiming Social Work unit model) and equip them with the skills needed to lead a social work unit. The training programme will also give them the skills to develop and assess the participants practice. For the first time in social work education, participants direct practice will be graded. The training also has a specific focus on developing leadership skills. Frontline conceives of social work as a leadership profession because social workers need to inspire and motivate others to change, set a vision for families and persuade and influence other professionals to act in accordance with a family s best interests. To do this successfully requires leadership. Consultant Social Workers will have a unique opportunity to develop their leadership abilities and then to apply these in their practice, as well as cultivate the leadership skills of the participants. The training programme is provided by Frontline, local authorities are expected to pay for travel and any accommodation. The training Consultant Social Workers receive will enable those that do

5 not have a practice educator qualification to demonstrate that they meet the Practice Educator Professional Standards (Stage 2). The training programme also provides the optional opportunity for Consultant Social Workers to work towards a foundation level of systemic practice, which will require candidates to complete assignments and other assessments, at an additional cost to the Consultant Social Worker or their local authority. The Consultant Social Worker will be supported by a Practice Tutor who will provide regular coaching, mentoring and hands-on support throughout their time as a Consultant Social Worker. The role involves input into the evaluation of the Frontline Programme itself, feeding into the future development of this exciting and innovative delivery model of social work education. Consultant Social Workers will be part of a unique group of social workers and local authorities shaping a new mode of social work delivery, forming networks and raising their profile at a regional and national level. The Commitment - Commitment to remain in the post for one year, from when the Participant Unit goes live in early September Active participation in the first year of the Consultant Social Worker Practice Leadership training programme. This begins in April / May 2017 and continues throughout the programme year. Four of the training days take place at the residential Summer Institute (August). - Active engagement in coaching sessions with the allocated Practice Tutor. - Working collaboratively with a team including the Practice Tutor, and other Frontline Programme Team members to effectively support the Participant Unit. - Willingness to challenge and ability to develop a new way of working within an existing system. - Commitment to the Frontline mission and values. Full details of the Consultant Social Worker role are contained in the Local Authority and Consultant Social Worker Handbooks published by Frontline Please also see for further information

6 Consultant Social Worker Job Description & Person Specification The Consultant Social Worker role requires you to work systemically with families and co-ordinate the work of four Frontline participants to develop them into outstanding social workers who will affect positive change for children. The post requires individuals who are skilled practitioners. They will have experience of building productive relationships with children and families, managing risk effectively and working with complexity. They will therefore have a proven track record in improving outcomes for families and children. They will use this experience, knowledge and skill to support the participants to learn and develop over the year. The role requires a high level of professionalism and organisational skill. Importantly, Frontline is looking for individuals who want to see change to social work practice and education, and who are dedicated to achieving this. Job Description Casework with Families and Children Leading the Participant Unit means you will be the named case holder of all cases assigned to the Participant Unit, responsible for ensuring statutory requirements of the Unit s cases are complied with. You will be responsible for managing and apportioning the work of the Unit. You will use your judgment to expose participants to increasingly complex and varied casework at the appropriate level, increasing their autonomy as they demonstrate progress. Given the emphasis on leading by example, when working with children and families you will need to role model high quality social work by: identifying and managing risk, being curious and analytical, hypothesising, building strong relationships and using evidence-based interventions to help families change. You must feel confident in your own practice being observed. Developing & Assessing Practice Modelling good social work practice and create an immersive learning environment. Leading a weekly Unit Meeting which: incorporates systemic thinking about family cases, encourages the participants to hold multiple hypotheses, encourages peer challenge and critical reflection in decision making. Creating learning opportunities for participants by identifying appropriate cases and regularly hold reflective discussions about their practice. Supporting the participants to apply the practice models they have learnt (systemic approach; social learning theory and motivational interviewing) in case discussions and work with children and families. You will regularly observe the participants in their direct work with families, giving developmental feedback. At specific observation points in the year, you will assess and grade the practice observed. Where performance issues arise, you will address these in a professional way, holding high standards whilst supporting the participant to resolve issues. In co-ordination with Frontline staff, you will organise the logistics and planning required for the Participant Unit to operate smoothly.

7 Supervision & Leadership You will act as the lead professional responsible for the participants in the local authority. In addition to running the weekly Unit Meetings you will hold regular one-to-one supervision sessions with participants, encouraging reflexive practice and selfawareness. Supporting the participants to develop leadership qualities in practice, building on their leadership training, encouraging participants to set a vision with families, co-ordinate professional networks toward a common goal, and work effectively with conflict. More broadly, you will contribute towards overall service development within the local authority by cascading the learning from the implementation of this new model of social work education and social work practice. Commitment to your own Learning and Development Actively participating in the Consultant Social Worker Practice Leadership Training Programme in order to develop yourself as a practitioner and practice educator and become familiar with the Frontline model. (There is no requirement that you have a systemic qualification or prior systemic training. Similarly, you do not need to have been a practice educator or manager of social workers). Engaging in coaching throughout the programme year. You will need to continue to show commitment to developing your own leadership and practice skills through effective use of coaching sessions with your allocated Practice Tutor. Coaching sessions are forums for you to bring challenges or skills you would like to develop.

8 Consultant Social Worker Person Specification Knowledge 1) Good knowledge of theories, conceptual frameworks, practice models and research findings that underpin effective social work practice including awareness of current issues and debates in the social work profession and in social work academia. 2) Committed to the core principles and theoretical foundations of the Frontline Programme. 3) Thorough knowledge of statutory frameworks within children s social care. Practice Skill 4) Demonstrates a high standard of practice skill in direct work with children in need and their families (including children in need of protection). This includes relationship building, communication skills and analysis. 5) Demonstrable track-record in improving outcomes for children and families. 6) Applies evidence-based models of social work help into practice in a statutory children s social care setting. 7) Critically evaluates and effectively manages risk in complex cases, recognising how bias and evidence influence risk management. Comfortable managing risk in a high pressure, human services environment. 8) Possesses high quality communication skills in both written skills (e.g. reports) and verbal and non-verbal communication with children and families. 9) Models professionalism through personal presentation and behaviour. Is organised and manages time effectively. Development of Others 10) Committed to shaping the learning of others and to developing outstanding social workers to lead change for families. 11) Able to observe, analyse and appropriately challenge practice, able to identify areas of strengths and areas for development in another s practice. 12) Uses excellent communication skills to confidently provide analytical, constructive feedback to others to develop their practice. 13) Able to create a supervisory relationship which provides an emotionally containing space for the supervisee, including being highly supportive and nurturing. Able to adapt this relationship to be more enabling as the supervisee develops in competence and confidence. Leadership and Decision Making 14) Confidence in own decision making and ability to work autonomously, balanced with ability to self-reflect and seek advice when necessary. 15) Is self-reflective, aware of strengths and areas for development, and able to use critical feedback to improve own performance, taking responsibility for one s own professional development. 16) Ability to motivate & inspire others including the ability to co-ordinate and influence complex and challenging organisational contexts toward a common goal.

9 17) Ability to operate successfully in complex organisational environments and confident to work with and influence a wide range of people and managers (including senior managers) within the local authority and other organisations. 18) Ability to critically evaluate information in the context of high complexity and risk, understanding the role of evidence and one s own intuition in decision making. Also required: Social Work Qualification HCPC registered DBS clearance September 2016