Social Worker - Court Team (Children's Services)
Location: Aylesbury, High Wycombe, or Amersham
Salary: £42,512 - £50,129 plus £2,750
Line Manager: Team Manager
Overview
Are you passionate about improving the lives of children and young people? Do you want to work for an employer that prioritises high-quality supervision, wellbeing, and career development? Buckinghamshire Council is seeking an experienced Social Worker to join our Court Team, where you'll play a pivotal role in shaping futures and making meaningful change in children's lives.
Please note: This is a career-graded role. If appointed to a Grade 7 or Grade 8 position, you will receive a market premium of £2,750 per annum in addition to the salary.
As a Social Worker in our Court Team, you'll work closely with children, families, schools, and professionals to ensure the unique needs of each child are met. This role offers more than just a job - it's an opportunity to be a friend, mentor, and advocate for children, making a lasting positive impact.
**Job Purpose
As a Social Worker in Children's Services, you will act as an allocated key worker providing assessment, planning, intervention, and review services across key areas, including:
- First Response Service
- Safeguarding Service
- Care Management Service
- Care Services
- Court Team
**Main Responsibilities
- Provide targeted and specialist social work services for children and young people in need of support, protection, and care.
- Undertake assessments in line with local thresholds, analysing children's needs, risks, and family circumstances.
- Promote the safety and wellbeing of children, ensuring their rights and entitlements are upheld.
- Build strong relationships with children to understand their lived experiences and wishes.
- Work collaboratively with parents/carers and multi-disciplinary professionals to develop and deliver support and protection plans.
- Liaise with Legal Services and represent the local authority in court as needed.
- Monitor the effectiveness of care plans and ensure ongoing support meets children's needs and circumstances.
- Maintain accurate records in line with best practice standards and local procedures.
- Contribute to team duties, cover for colleagues, and escalate concerns to senior management when required.
**About the Role - Court Team
Our supportive Head of Service aims to make the Court Team a centre of excellence in care proceedings. We are looking for experienced practitioners with strong evidence-gathering, writing skills, and experience giving oral evidence in court. This diverse role offers excellent training for candidates wanting to grow in a complex yet rewarding environment.
As a Social Worker in the Court Team, you will work directly with children, ensuring their voices are heard and that their best interests are represented in care proceedings. The work is varied, providing opportunities to develop key skills in this specialist area.
**Values and Behaviours
We are looking for individuals who embody our organisation's values:
- Proud
- Ambitious
- Collaborative
- Trustworthy
You will be committed to:
- Keeping children's lived experiences at the centre of everything we do.
- Working collaboratively with children and families, building on their strengths.
- Ensuring every voice is heard, from children to families and staff.
- Focusing on service improvement and delivering a positive difference every day.
**About Buckinghamshire Council
Buckinghamshire Council combines the strengths of five former councils to serve local people, communities, and businesses more effectively. With a rapidly growing economy and a strong commitment to residents, Buckinghamshire offers a dynamic environment for personal and professional development.
**Join Our Team
If you're passionate about making a difference in children's lives and want to work in a supportive, dynamic environment, we would love to hear from you.
Contact Phil Puaca at Ackerman Pierce on , or email