CROYDON COUNCIL ROLE PROFILE AND PERSON SPECIFICATION. DEPARTMENT: Children Families and Education DIVISION: Early Help and Childrens Social Care

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1 CROYDON COUNCIL ROLE PROFILE AND PERSON SPECIFICATION DEPARTMENT: Children Families and Education DIVISION: JOB TITLE: Early Help and Childrens Social Care Children's Consultant Practitioner

2 N.B: If you have any issues printing this document please contact HR ROLE PROFILE Job Title: Department: Division: Children's Consultant Practitioner Children Families and Education Early Help and Childrens Social Care Grade: Grade 15 Hours (per week): 36 Reports to: Responsible for: Principal Social Worker The Consultant Practitioner role does not directly line manage any staff. However, it is responsible for the provision of reflective supervision for the social worker staff within a Unit (usually 6-7) and their clinical practice development through a range of means. Role Purpose and Role Dimensions: The core of this role is to directly deliver and contribute to the delivery of positive safety and well-being outcomes for children in need and their families, including those in need of protection and those looked after. These outcomes are delivered by: Developing the practice skills and efficacy of social workers through expert reflective supervision, coaching and joint working individually and in groups. Driving and continually developing the implementation into practice of Strengthening Families practice approach. Option to carry up to two high complexity / high risk cases. With regard to direct social work practice element of the role these outcomes are achieved by the effective exercise of the following functions in respect of the children and families worked with: Engagement and relationship building / maintaining Analytical and continuous assessment

3 Making professional judgments and recommendations on the basis of assessment and review Development, co-ordination, implementation and review of evidence-based plans The provision of direct help by the worker The matching of child / family with evidence-based services relevant to the identified needs. The co-ordination of multi-professional / agency input to assessment, planning and help. The application of theory and theoretical frameworks to all aspects of practice. Communication and presentation of professional analysis, judgments and plans verbally and in writing in a range of settings. Commitment to Diversity: Key External Contacts: The council has a strong commitment to achieving equality of opportunity in its services to the community and in the employment of people. It expects all employees to understand, comply with and promote its policies in their own work, undertake any appropriate training to help them to challenge prejudice or discrimination. External contacts will include: South London and Maudsley Mental Health Trust Primary care, community and acute health services Designated and named health professionals Foster Carers Residential homes/schools CAFCASS Probation service Borough police Police Child Abuse Investigation Team Courts Children s Centres Schools colleges, universities Service providers in the private, voluntary and community sectors Community/Faith organisations Adult mental health and substance misuse services Domestic violence services UKBA and asylum related services Engagement with children and families will be a key element. Key Internal Contacts: Other sections of Children s Social care and managers within the service Adoption Panel Adoption Monitoring panel

4 Edge of Care Panel Fostering Panel Early Intervention and Family Support Service (including CRISS) Services in the Integrated Youth Support Service Other CFL Divisions/Service e.g. the Special Educational Needs Service Adults Social Care and housing (assessment and landlord sides) Legal Services Financial Dimensions: None Other Considerations: May have to attend meetings outside of normal working hours Is a satisfactory disclosure and barring check required? (click here for guidance on DBS) Enhanced DBS and childrens barred list What level of check is required? Is the post politically restricted (Click here for guidance on political restriction) Yes Is the post exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 (Click here for guidance on ROA ) No Key Accountabilities and Result Areas: Key Elements: Practice Transformation and Remodelling This will involve: To work with and alongside social workers at a hands-on intensive level to enable them to introduce,

5 practice and continually develop at a practitioner level models of social work practice consistent with the messages from the Munro review. This will include the application of: relevant theoretical frameworks, research evidence, child and human development theory, and relevant psychological theories including attachment, separation, loss, change and resilience. relationship-based practice reflective practice and supervision (involving the role of Consultant Practitioners) evidence-based methods of direct help Think Family practice This will be achieved through a range of methods at both individual and group level: reflective supervision; joint working in which the Consultant Practitioner models methods of intervention with children / families; observation of practice and reflective feedback; critiquing of analytical reports and other written work. Outcomes Framework and Culture This will involve: To achieve or contribute to the achievement of measurable improvements in the well-being and safety of allocated high complexity / risk children and families. These positive outcomes are to be achieved by the direct help provided by the Consultant Practitioner applying evidence-based

6 methods and by the engagement / co-ordination by the Practitioner of other evidence-based services and professional input which match the child / family need. To ensure all assessments and plans are framed and reviewed in terms of the desired outcomes for the child and family. Working with the Unit Manager to deepen social workers understanding of outcomes thinking and practice so that it is evidenced in social work assessments, planning and review and results in real improvements in children s safety and well-being Engagement Strategy and Culture This will involve: To engage children and families and build a quality of relationship that directly impacts on outcomes. To ensure and evidence that children, parents and family members are partners in assessment, planning and the delivery of help and services. To ensure that partner professionals and agencies are fully engaged and coordinated in assessment, planning and the delivery of help and services. To contribute to the delivery of the Service s engagement strategy.

7 To build up a comprehensive knowledge of all available services and make full use of them through evidence-based matching. To ensure the application, in assessments and planning, of the Croydon children s partnership s thresholds and four-stage model of Early Help and Staged Intervention. Consultant Practitioners have a particular responsibility for engagement with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. Consultant Practitioners will also operate a Consultant Practitioner Network. This will ensure that practice development is coordinated across the Children and Families Service as a whole to ensure consistency of approach and standards. Consultant Practitioners will also link with similar roles on partner agencies and services to develop a common language, shared conceptual frameworks and learning Evidence Based Practice This will involve: To maintain up-to-date knowledge of research findings, legislation, statutory guidance and policy

8 developments relevant to the service area. To apply the research evidence, legislation, guidance etc. in practice: in assessments, professional judgments, care plans, direct help and matching of child / family needs and services. Under the direction of the Unit Manager, to lead initiatives to enhance practice, policies and procedures. To contribute to, manage and provide professional leadership of organizational change and development including that arising from quality assurance activity, changes to legislation and research evidence. To lead innovation; introduce new ways of working from recognized sites of excellence. Organisational Culture This will involve: To bring a positive can-do culture to the Unit. To practice in accordance with professional and Croydon standards and expectations. To take responsibility for personal and professional learning and reflective. To apply a value for money approach which links

9 resources to outcomes. To contribute to appraisals and supervision so that they are reflective and productive, and used effectively to promote professional development. With the Unit Manager, to create a learning community within the Unit Data Protection Being aware of the council s legal obligations under the Data Protection Act 2018 (the 2018 Act ) and the EU General Data Protection Regulation ( GDPR ) for the security, accuracy and relevance of personal data held, ensuring that all administrative and financial processes also comply. Maintaining customer records and archive systems in accordance with departmental procedures and policies as well as statutory requirements. Treating all information acquired through employment, both formally and informally, in accordance with the Workforce Data Protection Policy. There are strict rules and protocols defining employee access to and use of the council s databases. Any breach of these rules and protocols will be subject to disciplinary investigation. There are internal procedures in place for employees to raise matters of concern regarding such issues as bad practice or mismanagement. Health and Safety Being responsible for own Health & Safety, as well as that of colleagues, service users and the public. Employees should co-operate with management, follow established systems of work, use protective equipment and report defects and hazards to management. Managers should carry out, monitor and review risk assessments, providing robust induction and training packages for new and transferring staff, to ensure they receive relevant H&S training, including refresher training, report all accidents in a timely manner on council accident forms, ensure H&S is a standing item in team meetings, liaise with trade union safety representatives about local safety matters and induct and monitor any visiting

10 contractors etc, as appropriate. Contribute as an effective and collaborative team member This will involve: Participating in training to demonstrate competence. Undertaking training as required for the role. Participating in the development, implementation and monitoring of service plans. Championing the professional integrity of the service. Person Specification Job Title: Children s Consultant Practitioner Essential knowledge: Social worker qualification recognised by HCPC and with six years post qualifying experience. Knowledge of national policy and developments regarding children s social care and policy areas that impact on children s social care. Knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory guidance, standards and procedures Knowledge of relevant theoretical frameworks, practice models, research findings and psychological/ human development theory. Knowledge of outcomes concepts, how people learn and methods for developing practice skills. Essential skills and abilities: This role requires the same core skills and abilities of social work roles in terms of being able to: engage and develop effective professional relationships with children and families. engage and develop effective professional relationships with other professionals and organisations for the benefit of

11 individual children and families in assessment, care planning and delivery assess the needs of children, adults and families holistically and analytically, in high risk and high complexity cases, applying the Assessment Framework and other relevant frameworks and tools. make sound professional judgments (in cases of high risk / complexity). develop, implement and review evidence-based multi-agency care plans which focus on and successfully deliver safety and well-being outcomes for children. undertake direct work with children and families, using evidence-based models of help, that achieves concrete outcomes. apply effectively into practice theoretical frameworks and evidence-based models of practice, research evidence and relevant theory. communicate to a high standard verbally and in writing, and to produce and present high quality reports. comply in practice with statutory requirements and guidance, and local procedures and standards. In addition to being able to perform at an advanced level as a highly skilled and effective practitioner in high risk and high complexity cases, the role requires the following abilities: to develop the practice skills of others through a range of methods including reflective supervision, coaching, observation & feedback, training and joint working to develop personal development plans that promote practice improvement to develop an in-depth understanding of Strengthening Families practice approach able to operate with a high degree of autonomy. Working in a statutory setting with children and making professional judgments in high risk / high complexity cases in

12 the area of specialism. Building effective relationships with children, families and other professionals. Completing effective, highly analytical assessments and outcomes-focused care plans that are effective in achieving good outcomes in complex / high risk cases. Undertaking direct work with children and families that delivers improved outcomes for them. Applying theoretical models and research findings to good effect, and helping others to do so. Contributing to the development of other staff using a variety of methods Completing analytical reports and presenting in a range of forums. Essential experience: Minimum of 6 years post qualifying experience working in a statutory setting with children and making professional judgments in high risk / high complexity cases in the area of specialism. Building effective relationships with children, families and other professionals. Completing effective, highly analytical assessments and outcomes-focused care plans that are effective in achieving good outcomes in complex / high risk cases. Undertaking direct work with children and families that delivers improved outcomes for them. Applying theoretical models and research findings to good effect, and helping others to do so. Contributing to the development of other staff using a variety of methods Completing analytical reports and presenting in a range of forums.

13 Special conditions: Able to work outside of normal office hours when required. Registered as a social worker with the HCPC. Undertake an enhanced DBS disclosure prior to employment and then every three years.