Successful Candidate will be;

- Registered Social Worker
- Min 1 1/2 year experience in Social Work (unless working in the field of children with disabilities where we may consider less time)
- Experience of Child in Need processes
- Excellent recording skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Excellent organisational skills
- Great team player

Disabled Children's Team
This is the team who work with all of the children referred for services required for our most vulnerable disabled children. We undertake all of the initial assessments with our children who are referred through our Single Point of Access. We respond to child protection concerns and initiate Initial CP conferences, we complete thorough assessments which inform the next steps. This can be to offer advice and guidance, short term or long term support as a child in need, to step over to family support colleagues and in some situations may mean seeking legal support and entering proceedings. We also work with children who are looked after which may be because of their being in a residential placement and thus away from home for a significant amount of time. We assess need and draw on our short breaks offer and coordinate care packages. Whatever we do, we do as a team. You will be supported by your line manager but also from being able to seek peer support through group supervision and informal discussions. Caseloads are low when comparing to other London Boroughs which means you have time to make a difference. This is varied and interesting work.

What you will bring:
You will be an experienced social worker who is confident and has a proven track record in working within a children with disability team environment. You will be experienced in safeguarding practices and knowing what to look for when working with children and families. You will have experience of working within the range of legislation for children with disabilities and their carers. Experienced and with a clear understanding of the importance of presenting information to short breaks panels, A highly skilled practitioner in assessing and coordinating care packages report writing, timely recording, quickly developing strong working relationships and in undertaking observations of and direct work with children and their families which will inform your assessment and analysis of need. You will have a considerable amount of skill in direct work with children who use a variety of methods to tell their story. You will be used to reviewing case histories and completing chronologies to inform you about a child's life and using this information to inform supervision and decisions about next steps. You recognise the importance of multi agency working and can build strong relationships with key partners. Our wish is to have workers who are proud of their work and want to do their very best for children and families and who are committed to the role giving it 100%.

If you are interested in this role please send your updated CV in the first instance.

Benefits:
Low case loads, working for AFC who are judged as Good by Ofsted, strong emphasis on supervision and supporting each other, Signs of Safety, excellent IT equipment which enables smarter working, responsive senior leaders, opportunities to access some training, opportunities to work across two boroughs, regular whole service away mornings, outstanding support for children, opportunities to become permanent.

Location:
Located in Chessington where there is free parking and a train station within a 5 minute walk. Easy access by local transport to all areas of the community if you do not drive. The South Cluster is a friendly community and co-located with our health partner agencies for Kingston. There are some local shops within walking distance to get lunch and refreshments. We have a spacious break out area where staff can relax during break times. Cycling for work is supported with area to secure your bike and shower facilities.