Job Purpose

Provide a comprehensive assessment and protection service to the adult and children’s at-risk population in Jersey and their carers, delivering the day to day working of social work services, and accessing and facilitating resources so as to manage risk and meet identified needs.

For more details please contact Roy Valentine R.Valentine@health.gov.je

Job Specific Outcomes 1 of 2

Plan, organise and be accountable for case co-ordination and implementation of care and protection plans on a day to day basis, working with service users and their families/carers in one or more social work specialist areas, to ensure that that prompt referral of cases takes place where social work intervention is required to protect or support vulnerable members of the community. This may include children in need of care and protection, children with special needs, adults with learning disabilities, older people, people with a brain injury, those with a physical disability and those with a sensory impairment.

Holistically assess individual needs and develop and design care and intervention plans that treat each person as a unique individual, in order to protect, promote and monitor the safety and welfare of service users and carers. Wherever possible, promote service users’ individual views and wishes in order to support their rights to self-determination, to control their own lives and to make informed choices about the services they receive.

Deliver appropriate, open, accurate and straightforward communication to service users and carers, clearly explaining service policies and the professional role and responsibilities of the social work team including any statutory intervention which may prove necessary, in order to establish and maintain the trust and confidence of service users and carers.

Challenge and report dangerous, abusive, discriminatory or exploitative behaviour or practice, including potential criminal offences, wherever this may be found, in order to ensure the wellbeing of service users and carers is safeguarded at all times.

Maintain the highest standards of personal and professional conduct, adhere to relevant codes of conduct, policies, procedures and legislation and take responsibility for maintaining and improving personal knowledge and skills in order to ensure that the criteria for continuing professional registration are fulfilled and that members of the public and other professionals have confidence in the service.

Job Specific Outcomes 2 of 2

Create and maintain clear and accurate records to ensure that all relevant information is held as required by established procedures and best practice and in line with data protection, confidentiality, disclosure and consent policies, always bearing in mind that such documents may be disclosable for the purpose of Serious Case Reviews, external inquiry and inspection, and to the Royal Court in respect of civil applications or in criminal proceedings associated with the protection of vulnerable individuals.

Attend court in accordance with the statutory requirements of the Capacity & Self Determination (Jersey) Law 2016. The post-holder is required to be have a high level of legal literacy and produce court reports, make representations to the court and be cross examined within the court arena. 9. Engage in commissioning activity, including the negotiation and sourcing of packages or care, and designing, reviewing and contributing to Service Level Agreements. 

Provide formal and informal supervision to professionally unqualified social care staff.

Qualifications

A professional qualification in Social Work (e.g. Degree, Diploma or equivalent in Social Work). Registered with the appropriate UK professional governing body i.e. Social Work England and locally i.e. with Jersey Care Commission, must also register under the Health Care (Registration) (Jersey) Law 1995

Knowledge

Specialist knowledge in social work underpinned by theory and relevant practical experience. An understanding of children’s & adult Safeguarding issues. Good understanding of the management of risk and supporting vulnerable children and families in the community. Understands how to assess and manage risk when making complex decisions that may be disputed in court. Practical knowledge of assessing and arranging delivery of social care packages for caseload clients.

Understanding of therapeutic services, their arrangement and provision. Knowledge of mentoring social work students and new entrants. Practical understanding of legislation relating to their specialist area of social work, the general workings of civil courts and the conducting of police investigations into related criminal activity. Understands how to maintain records according to confidentiality and data protection protocols

Technical Work Based Skills

Able to demonstrate a range of information technology skills i.e. an ability to effectively use IT equipment and role critical software. Ability to attain Enhanced DBS clearance

General skills / attributes

Ability to work autonomously, with the capacity for independent, responsible, professional decision making, often whilst under considerable pressure.

Organisational and administrative skills. Ability to take on board complex facts or situations requiring analysis, Interpretation and comparison of a range of options in order to arrive at a complex judgement.

Able to communicate calmly and clearly using a variety of media on sensitive and complex issues, including legislation, often in emotive situations. Able to facilitate the involvement of a range of stakeholders (public and private sector) to deal effectively with complex issues relating to vulnerable service users.

Able to follow policy and understand the implications and ramifications for areas outside of their own area of responsibility. Highly resilient – good coping mechanisms for dealing with challenging, stressful and emotional situations involving vulnerable people.

Experience

Providing a social work service in a community, mental health or hospital setting; discharging statutory social care functions on behalf of an organisation.

Developing and implementing care packages. Co-ordinating support services and advising carers and families. Negotiating services for vulnerable service users, including issues involving child protection, vulnerable adults, mental and physical health issues and bereavement.