We are looking for an enthusiastic and flexible Children & Families Social Worker who is motivated to join the Evergreen unit, our innovative interim CAMHS inpatient provision for young people aged 13-18 years, who present with significant and complex mental health difficulties. Please note this role is ward based.

Main duties of the job

The Social Work Team at the Evergreen Unit is here to support the clinical and nursing teams undertake their statutory safeguarding responsibilities in line with The Children Act 1989 (2004 as amended) and the statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children.

The successful candidate will provide direct interventions with young people and their families where there are safeguarding concerns and also in relation to clinical work. The expertise of the Social Worker is particularly needed with families and young people where there are complex social care histories, needs or family dynamics.

The post holder will also support young people who require accommodation on discharge and liaise with local Children's Social Care Teams.

About us

ELFT has long been recognised as a centre of excellence for mental and health care, innovation and improvement. So it is a very exciting time for you to come and work for us. Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving quality of life for all we serve.

Luton is a fast-growing hub and multi-ethnic community; its multicultural demographic makes it an exciting and hugely fulfilling place to practice. It is a half hour train journey from central London, with the clinic a five-minute walk from the station. The Trust has an arrangement for 50% discount on season ticket fares with Thameslink, the rail provider, for its staff.

At the heart of our philosophy is working together and an emphasis on support to maintain well-being.

Job description Job responsibilities

Please refer to the job description and person specification attached to this vacancy for further information.

Person Specification Education/ Qualification/ Training Essential

• A qualification in Social Work and current registration.
• post-qualifying experience in a statutory Children's
• Social Care setting

Desirable

• Breakaway training

Experience Essential

• Working knowledge of the framework within which social care operates, inclusive of legislation and national guidance and procedures specific to this post
• Knowledge of statutory work with children, including children in need, child protection, children looked after and court work. Knowledge of different types of interventions in family support
• Experience of working with complex professional networks
• Substantial experience of working with children with challenging behaviour, their families and wider networks
• Experience of working with children and young people in an emotionally demanding environment
• Experience with working with children and young people and their families in a therapeutic context
• Substantial experience of working with children, young people and families in emotional crisis
• Knowledge and experience with working with safeguarding issues and serious mental health problems, including challenging behaviour
• Experience of risk assessment and risk management
• Substantial experience in working in a complex multidisciplinary context
• Experience, skills and flexibility to contribute to and facilitate effective working within a multi-disciplinary team setting
• Experience of working with families in severe crisis

Desirable

• Experience of group work
• Experience/knowledge of working in a multi-ethnic community and of working with interpreters

Knowledge and Skills Essential

• Knowledge of recent developments in systemic and social care interventions and/or parenting provision for children with challenging behaviour
• Knowledge of recent government initiatives for working with children and young people with anti-social behaviour, in education and the community
• Evidence of continuing professional development as required by professional guidelines
• Knowledge of and skill in using a wide variety of CAMH theories and interventions and the ability to use these appropriately in relation to client need and work setting
• Sufficient knowledge of other modalities to engage appropriately with colleagues and their work with clients
• Knowledge of child development/ mental health issues
• Up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation , and ethical issues, including The Children Act, Mental Health Act and strategic frameworks and their implications for both clinical practice and professional management
• Knowledge of current developments in therapy with children and adolescents with serious mental health problems.
• Knowledge, understanding and experience with diverse racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds and families with a high level of deprivation
• Knowledge of current guidelines and recommendations of assessment and treatment of adolescents with psychotic breakdown and illness, serious clinical depression with risks of self-harm and suicide, with severe eating disorders and of adolescents who abuse drugs and are dangerous and acting out.
• Knowledge of current development in CAMHS
• To access Children's Services support and protection services for children and families.
• To contribute to the learning of the Coborn team in terms of social work and safeguarding.
• To support positive working relationships both within and across services service
• Ability to provide services in the complex community environment, to meet the needs of clients and families
• Ability to multi-task, prioritise and work flexibly according to need
• Well-developed skills to communicate effectively, orally and in writing at an age appropriate level, complex, highly technical and /or clinically sensitive information to children, adolescents, their families, carers and professionals within and outside the NHS including reports for the Courts
• Ability to communicate distressing and unwelcome information to children, adolescents and their families
• Ability to work with a racially and culturally diverse community in a wide variety of contexts including highly specialist skills for working therapeutically in family homes

Desirable

• To offer the clinical team and families social work consultation, advice and intervention.

Other Essential

• Ability to contain and work with organisational stress and ability to hold the stress of others.
• Working to local and national protocol and guidelines
• Ability to work autonomously, setting appropriate goals, in accordance with professional ethics guidelines and Trust policies
• Ability to teach and train others, using a variety of complex multi-media materials suitable for presentations within public, professional and academic settings
• Understanding of equality of opportunity and related policies and procedures
• Ability to endure prolonged periods of concentration for extended client therapy sessions.
• Able to sit in constrained positions for a substantial period of working time
• Respectful approach to service users, families, carers, colleagues and other professionals

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

363-SSLB5138693