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Title: Social Worker - Family Help
Department: Children, Families & Education
Division: Children's Services
Grade: L7 - M1
Responsible to: Team Manager / Deputy Team Manager

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

To work within a multi-disciplinary Family Help Team delivering early help and child in need services. The team includes social workers, family help practitioners, psychologists, police community support officers, CAMHS workers, adult mental health nurses, health visitors, youth workers, housing officers and voluntary sector partners.

You will assess children and families, analyse risk and need, and develop effective care plans. The role involves working closely with children, young people and families, completing statutory visits, parenting assessments and coordinating multi-agency support to safeguard and promote welfare.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assessment & Safeguarding (30%)
Complete high-quality, holistic assessments using the Department for Education guidance and Luton's Effective Support document. Lead multi-agency planning to address child protection concerns and children in need.

2. Statutory Duties (10%)
Undertake duties under the Children Act 1989 including care proceedings, adoption/permanency planning, risk assessments and investigations. Obtain and implement Court Orders and represent the Council in court.

3. Planning & Intervention (15%)
Create SMART plans aligned with the Practice Framework. Ensure needs are met through negotiation and collaboration. Promote anti-discriminatory practice and empower families.

4. Direct Work (20%)
Build positive relationships with children and families. Ensure children's voices, wishes and feelings are heard and influence planning.

5. Recording & Compliance (10%)
Maintain accurate and timely case records on Liquid Logic in line with GDPR and council standards.

6. Court & Reporting (10%)
Prepare court reports and witness statements. Work in line with Luton Borough Council policies and procedures.

7. CPD & Development (5%)
Engage in supervision, training and professional development through the Social Work Academy and Research in Practice.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Hybrid working (community, office and home-based).
Regular home visits (often lone working, risk assessed).
Exposure to emotional strain and occasional challenging behaviour.
Attendance at meetings across multiple locations.

CONTEXT

Luton 2040 is a vision for a healthy, fair and sustainable town where no one lives in poverty and children can thrive.

This role forms part of the Families First for Children Pathfinder Programme (Apply online only)), investing over £45 million into reforming:

Family Help

Child Protection

Family Network Support Packages

Safeguarding Partnerships

The new system includes:
* Multi-disciplinary Family Help services
* Specialist child protection response
* Greater use of family networks and family group decision making
* Strengthened multi-agency leadership

PRACTICE MODEL

Luton uses a strength-based approach, built around the 4 C's:

Conversations - Building strong relationships

Curiosity - Understanding lived experience

Courage - Trying new approaches

Care - Respecting diversity and difference

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Clear progression pathway from Newly Qualified Social Worker to Senior Practitioner, Deputy Team Manager and Team Manager.
Ongoing mentoring and structured career development support.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

Substantial post-qualifying social work experience

Experience working with children and families

Registered with Social Work England

Strong knowledge of Children Act 1989 and safeguarding legislation

Ability to assess risk and need in complex cases

Experience of court work

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Ability to manage high-risk cases with minimal supervision

Ability to meet deadlines and maintain high-quality records

Understanding of equality and anti-discriminatory practice

Ability to undertake home visits across the borough

Willingness to occasionally work outside core hours

Desirable

Practice Educator experience

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The role involves high-level decision making and responsibility for safeguarding children.
Enhanced DBS required.
Applicants must disclose all convictions (role exempt under Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974).

Connect2Luton is a trading style of Luton & Kent Commercial Services LLP - A joint venture between Luton Borough Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Luton is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates