Social Worker
Join an innovative local authority and develop your social work skills - Bracknell Forest’s new way of working with children and their families is turning lives around and empowering social workers to give parents the opportunity to think about what they want to change in their lives.
The family safeguarding model launched in Bracknell Forest in October 2017 with the implementation of multi-disciplinary teams to improve the lives of children and make it possible for the social worker to do more direct and purposeful intervention with families by:
- Increasing the amount of time you spend with families
- Reducing the amount of time spent recording
- Working in partnership with the adult specialists in your teams
- Keeping families together - reducing the need for care proceedings
- Training in Motivational Interviewing The Family Safeguarding model has proved successful in Hertfordshire by achieving a 49% reduction in the number of children with child protection plans and is already having a positive impact on practice in Bracknell Forest.
“I have had success in keeping a mum and dad with their child and avoiding court proceedings by using motivational interviewing along with support from mental health and drugs and alcohol workers.” Bracknell Forest Family Safeguarding social worker.
“It’s good that the social worker can see the real me, I am talking and thinking more, they know more about me, I feel at ease and can share my views better.” Bracknell Forest parent’s feedback on FSM model.
We are seeking qualified social workers to join our FSM teams with at least two year’s frontline experience as well as completion of the ASYE. You will be working in a co-located, multi-agency team with colleagues specialising in substance misuse, adult mental health, domestic abuse and access to clinical psychologists to address the issues that place children at risk of harm.
You must have excellent written and verbal skills and have substantial knowledge of childcare legislation and experience of conducting assessments as well as presenting care plans to conferences and reviews. You must be passionate about working with families to achieve the best outcome and will be a competent and proactive team player to support the smooth running and working of the service.
Bracknell Forest offers new staff excellent salaries, co-location of social work teams, flexible working, an excellent relocation package, a final salary pension scheme and key worker housing may be available. Located in the South East, Bracknell Forest is a small and friendly unitary authority in Berkshire, just 28 miles west of London, close to Reading and mid-way between the M3 and M4 corridors. It is a diverse area incorporating the best features of town and attractive countryside.
Our staff are our greatest asset and you will receive regular supervision; have access to excellent training opportunities and the ability to develop your professional skills and interests.
“Social workers enjoy working for Bracknell Forest. They appreciate the training and clinical supervision that they receive, as well as the availability and support of senior managers.”
Ofsted Inspection of services for children in need of help and protection, children looked after and care leavers – May 2017.
Equal Opportunities
Bracknell Forest Council – Working for Equality. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.
How to apply
Please apply online (see below).
It is important that you read the Application Pack before you apply for this job. It contains information that you will need to refer to when applying. Not referring to this information is likely to reduce your chances of success.
Bracknell Forest Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. All staff employed by the Council in contact with children or young people must be aware that a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be undertaken. We take up references for all shortlisted candidates and, wherever possible, apply for these prior to interview.
Find out more about our Children, Young People and Learning Department.