The posting
Job Description
| Salary 37,563-41,177, Per annum |Fixed Term Full Time 37 hours per week | Pro Rata
Social Worker (Grade 8) - EmPower
Service: EmPower - Contextual Safeguarding Team
Location: Lancashire
Salary: Grade 8
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Fixed Term (Maternity Cover)
Make a Difference to the Lives of Lancashire's Young People
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join EmPower, Lancashire's specialist Contextual Safeguarding Team, on a fixed-term basis to provide maternity cover.
EmPower works with adolescents aged 12-18 who are at risk of, or experiencing, extra-familial harm and exploitation. Our team supports young people affected by child criminal exploitation, child sexual exploitation, serious youth violence, missing episodes, harmful peer relationships and other contextual safeguarding concerns.
We are looking for a passionate, skilled and motivated Social Worker who is committed to improving outcomes for vulnerable adolescents. This is a rewarding opportunity to work within an innovative service that places relationships, strengths-based practice and the voice of the young person at the heart of everything we do.
About the Role
As a Social Worker within EmPower, you will deliver high-quality interventions with young people experiencing complex safeguarding concerns. You will work collaboratively with families, communities and partner agencies to identify risk, build resilience and promote lasting positive change.
You will be part of a supportive team committed to trauma-informed, relationship-based practice and creative approaches to engaging adolescents who may be vulnerable to exploitation and extra-familial harm.
Key Responsibilities
You will:
Undertake assessments of need, risk and protective factors.
Manage a caseload of adolescents experiencing complex contextual safeguarding concerns.
Develop and implement effective intervention plans with young people and their families.
Build trusted relationships with young people through strengths-based and trauma-informed practice.
Lead and contribute to multi-agency planning to reduce exploitation and extra-familial harm.
Undertake statutory social work responsibilities in line with legislation, policy and local procedures.
Contribute to contextual assessments relating to peer groups, locations and wider community risks.
Prepare high-quality reports and maintain accurate case records.
Participate in safeguarding meetings, strategy discussions and professional decision-making processes.
Work collaboratively with schools, police, health services, youth justice, voluntary organisations and community partners to improve outcomes for young people.
About You
We are looking for someone who:
Is a qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
Has experience working with children, young people and families.
Has a sound understanding of contextual safeguarding, adolescent development and exploitation.
Demonstrates strong assessment, analytical and intervention skills.
Is confident managing complex safeguarding risks and working with uncertainty.
Can build positive and effective relationships with young people and partner agencies.
Is resilient, reflective and committed to ongoing professional development.
Is passionate about making a difference to the lives of vulnerable adolescents.
Essential Requirements
Degree or equivalent qualification in Social Work.
Current Social Work England registration.
Experience of safeguarding children and young people.
Knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Children Act 1989 and associated statutory guidance.
Ability to prioritise competing demands and manage workload effectively.
Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for business use.
What We Offer
At Lancashire County Council, we are committed to supporting our Social Workers to achieve excellent outcomes for children and young people.
In return, we offer:
Regular reflective supervision and management support.
Access to specialist contextual safeguarding knowledge and expertise.
High-quality learning and development opportunities.
A supportive and experienced team environment.
Flexible working arrangements where service needs allow.
Employee wellbeing support and assistance programmes.
Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
Generous annual leave entitlement.
Join Us
At EmPower, we believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive. By understanding the contexts in which harm occurs and building meaningful relationships, we help young people feel safer, stronger and more empowered to achieve their potential.
If you are a committed Social Worker who is passionate about adolescent safeguarding and making a lasting difference, we would love to hear from you.
The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Further information can be found on the 'Our Recruitment Process' tab.
In return Lancashire County Council offers a range of benefits, which can be found on LCC Vacancies website.
We reserve the right to close down a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications.
Job Description and Person Specification
