Purpose of the Job: Manage a caseload of disabled children or young people aged 0-25 to assess, plan, monitor and review the support/personal assistance needs of service users, working in a person-centred way. Work with the service user and their families/carers to develop a package of support/assistance as they prepare to become adults and in their early adult life that promotes and maintains independence and wellbeing; where appropriate involve other agencies and use community resources to provide equality of opportunity, full participation and inclusion in society. Main duties and responsibilities: Manage a complex and diverse caseload of children, young people and their families, undertaking assessments to determine the needs and capabilities of clients and carers, and drawing up plans of support under the supervision and guidance of a designated supervisor, using agreed eligibility criteria and in accordance with statutory requirements, Directorate and Corporate Policy and National Legislation. Cost any support package and assist the client to access the most appropriate and comprehensive support available through community resources, direct payments or commissioned services. This should be achieved where appropriatewithinamulti-agency environment and in accordancewithserviceusers' wishes, directorate budget limits and the requirements of the strategic framework and/or lead commissioning framework relating to the procurement of services. Provide and ensure the availability of adequate advocacy arrangements to assist service users towards self-determination of their personal assistance arrangements. Identify and where appropriate manage any safeguarding and quality of care issues in line with directorate policy and practice requirements, taking forward appropriate actions and communication with supervisor / line manager/ other directorate officers and develop investigating officer skills. Ensure that service users are empowered throughout the assessment, are at the centre of the decision making process and have control over their lives. Develop good working relationships with Education and Health staff to contribute to Education, Health and Care plans and other individual plans to ensure that positive outcomes for children and young people are achieved. In order to develop a holistic response, where appropriate, initiate and develop close working partnerships with other agencies: District Councils, voluntary agencies, the commercial and private sectors. Research, develop, continue and consolidate a knowledge base and level of skills to enable the assignment of more complex cases to meet the ever changing needs of service users and to ensure inclusion and full participation in the local community. Maintain an awareness of changes in legislation, theories, corporate and directorate policies, local and agency practices relating to disabilities in order to disseminate knowledge throughout the team and contribute to the delivery of a high standard of service. Contribute to the development of new initiatives through attendance on Working Groups,multi-agency fora, training courses etc to develop current and new ways of working that meet service requirements. Maintain and keep accurate electronic records using the Social Care electronic system. Write and verbally present reports for formal meetings including reviews, case conferences and court proceedings. SKILLS AND ABILITIES Good interpersonal skills in order to communicate effectively with clients and colleagues, and when working in groups Ability to prioritise and to work effectively on own initiative as well as within a team Interest/desire to lead in training courses Supervisory, mediation and negotiation skills Ability to supervise and develop student placements Good report-writing skills and the ability to communicate clearly in writing Ability to work within a court setting Computer literate Ability to travel across a wide geographical area in a timely and flexible manner at various times of the day in accordance with the needs of the job KNOWLEDGE A thorough knowledge of human development, social work theories and the needs of people with disabilities Good knowledge of the legislation underpinning the provision of services to children and adults with disabilities A working knowledge of Directorate and national policies, frameworks and regulations. Knowledge of Child and Adult Protection procedures Knowledge of court proceedings Up to date knowledge of research Knowledge of family relationships Good knowledge of assessment frameworks Connect2Staff/Connect2Kent, part of Commercial Services Trading/Kent Ltd, is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business and positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.