Purpose of the Post To carry a workload requiring exemplary practice in situations of high complexity, exercising a degree of autonomy. Regular supervision will be in accordance with the Directorate's supervision policy. To champion best practice, leading and facilitating practice development forums for staff, contributing to the development of service improvement and delivery. To work collaboratively with service users and their families to assess their needs and plan and deliver services in accordance with the social work team's service area. Responsibilities • Work in partnership with children and families and, through building effective relationships, to elicit their needs and views and promote participation in decision making. Communicate effectively in highly charged, complex or challenging circumstances. • Assist in ensuring that statutory responsibilities are met and fulfilled by the team, ensuring that quality practice standards are achieved in delivery high quality services to children and young people. • Undertake assessments in accordance with statutory/regulatory and operational standards, policy, and procedures for the service. Maintain and provide expertise in specialist assessment and intervention, acting as a resource to others within the organisation. • Plan, implement and review a range of interventions for service users in accordance with statutory/regulatory and operational standards, policy and procedures for the service, promoting use of evidence and theory to support practice in complex and changing circumstances. • Manage a complex workload with a degree of autonomy, developing and maintaining a network of internal and external colleagues, with whom to seek and share advice, expertise and develop practice. • Make proactive use of supervision to extend effective practice, reflection and career development and to meet the objectives of Professional Development Reviews. • Provide professional, reflective supervision and support to staff as relevant to the needs of the team, e.g. staff induction, newly qualified social workers, students. • Contribute to the development, promote and lead the development of a culture of leaning within the team and the wider service • Apply concepts of holistic assessment of professional capability in contributing to appraisals of staff development. • Participate and lead in project and development work to promote innovation and excellence. • Maintain accurate, up to date records safely and confidentially in accordance with the Council's policies and procedures. Contribute to the evaluation and analysis of recording and the use of information systems to inform good practice and maintain a focus on positive outcomes for service users and their families. • Promote and lead engagement with colleagues and a range of organisations to identify, assess, plan for and support the needs of service users in order to promote positive change and independence. Model effective assessment and management of risk in complex situations, including positive risk taking approaches. • Coach and mentor less experienced team members. • Meet the requirements of the Professional Capabilities Framework at the Advanced level, and of registration with the HCPC in respect of practice standards, conduct and professional development.