Job Information
Achieving for Children is a Community Interest Company that has a public sector ethos, combined with the freedom to innovate enabling us to do things differently. As a not-for-profit social enterprise owned by three local authorities (Windsor & Maidenhead, Kingston and Richmond), we offer the freedoms of a social enterprise with the employment benefits of local government. To find out more about us click here.
We are responsible for the entire range of children’s education, health and social care services in all three boroughs. We use a Signs of Safety practice model and approach which ensures the voice of the child is at the heart of everything we do. There’s never been a better time to join AfC, we are growing our workforce, implementing new flexible working arrangements and have increased our virtual wellbeing offer.
We now have the following job opportunity available and we would be delighted to receive your application to continue our story. You can download the Job Profile which is shown within the “Documents” heading on the left hand side, above the map.
If you have the skills that will enable us to continue to enhance our practice and improve outcomes for children further, we want to hear from you. We are looking for enthusiastic, committed people who have the passion and the drive to make a positive difference to children’s lives. We are now offering welcome payments to colleagues who join our Referral and Assessment and Safeguarding Teams.
If you are successfully shortlisted for this role you will be notified within a month of the submission date.
About the role
All of our social work roles work in partnership with children, young people and those connected to them, in order to co-create plans that meet the identified need.
As a Social Worker you are expected to work alongside other professionals, to ensure that our children and young people receive appropriate care, education and health services, and any other support needed to ensure their needs are appropriately met. The Social worker will work directly with children who are subject to a Child Protection Plan, or who have Child in Need status.
The Safeguarding teams will transfer cases to the Permanence service when it is clear that permanence away from home will be the outcome. The core activities for the Safeguarding teams include:
- Undertaking child and family assessments
- Carrying out child protection enquiries
- Safety planning with children and families
- Direct work with children and young people
- Care proceedings and court work.
About you
To be a Social Worker for AfC, you will be passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of children and young people. We are looking for someone who can work flexibly, has excellent communication skills and can work collaboratively to achieve shared outcomes. It’s a genuine team effort in AfC. That’s why we want talented people, like you, to join us and help create a brighter future for children and families.
Please view the job profile for further information and if you would like to find out more about this exciting opportunity, please contact Sophie Doran, Head of Service for Safeguarding at sophie.doran@achievingforchildren.org.uk to request an informal discussion.
About our benefits
We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to work remotely. In AfC you will also have access to:
- A strong welcome and induction
- Laptop, phone and systems so you can work remotely
- Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension)
- Really good holiday package (up to 34 days per year!)
- Flexible working options – helping to keep a good work life balance
- A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, offering support for the whole family
- A range of staff benefits and discounts managed via your own app
- Positive and supportive working environments
- A fantastic learning and development offer
- A career pathway supporting you with next step career opportunities
To find out about all of the breadth of benefits of working for Achieving for Children click here.
Important Information
Start dates: Achieving for Children have fixed start dates, candidates are advised to prepare for this should a job offer be accepted to ensure eligible continuous service is not affected.
Right to work: The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the GOV.UK website for right to work guidance.
Equality: We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams. Achieving for Children are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
