Location
Morden Civic Centre

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Grade ME14 - £53,172 - £57,402 per annum (including 2 spinal points for market pay)
Golden Hello payment of £4,500 paid in two instalments

About the Role
Are you ready to join us in Merton's Family Assessment and Intervention Service?

We are a place where outstanding children’s services are offered, where children and young people feel they belong, stay safe and can thrive.

We want Merton to be a great place for every child to grow up and to give every child the best start in life. Our children's services have been judged Outstanding by Ofsted, and we are committed to continuously improving our standards of practice. Our leaders focus on supporting staff and families, working well with partners and making decisions alongside children and families.

Our values include:
- Keeping children and young people at the heart of everything we do
- Learning from experience to improve outcomes
- 'Thinking Family' and focusing on family strengths
- Commitment to delivering on promises
- Celebrating difference

We have implemented a blended practice model combining Signs of Safety, systemic practice, and relationship-based social work. Creative social work thrives here, and our staff feel cared for and valued.

Our staffing structure offers clear career progression pathways. Many Consultant Social Workers and Managers began their careers with us as Social Workers and have developed professionally within the organisation. Our staff enjoy working here.

As a Consultant Social Worker, you will manage a caseload of families and children with complex needs, work in partnership, seek supervision and guidance, support team activities, and contribute to strategic priorities. Leading practice in yourself and colleagues is a key part of the role.

The Assessment and Intervention service works closely with partner agencies and colleagues across Children and Families Services to ensure children are safeguarded effectively and without delay. You will lead and support best practice, receive and deliver reflective supervision, and benefit from an enhanced training offer including systemic practice, Signs of Safety, motivational interviewing, restorative and trauma-informed practice.

This role allows you to remain in practice while developing supervisory and management responsibilities for a small team.

Benefits include the opportunity to step up to a management-level role while remaining in practice, access to a high-quality systemic training programme, demonstrate meeting Practice Educator Professional Standards (Stage 2) through a portfolio of work, and influence practice and practice education across the local authority.

Experience
Qualified social worker registered with Social Work England with considerable relevant experience in statutory safeguarding services.
Proven ability to manage complex caseloads and work collaboratively with families and partner agencies.
Experience in leading practice within yourself and colleagues is essential.

About you
Committed to safeguarding children and young people.
Ability to work in partnership and seek supervision and guidance.
Supportive of team activities and strategic priorities.
Enthusiastic about professional development and leadership within social work practice.

Qualifications
Qualified social worker registered with Social Work England.
Desirable to have or be working towards Practice Educator Professional Standards (Stage 2).