The starting salary for this position is £32,512 per annum based on a 36 hour working week.
We are excited to announce three new opportunities for Adolescent Practitioners to join our fantastic Edge of Care Service!
The positions available are as follows:
- 2 x permanent, full-time (36 hours per week)
- 1 x six month secondment or fixed term contract, full time (36 hour per week)
Rewards and Benefits
- 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
- Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
- An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
- Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependants leave
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
- 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
About the Team
The Edge of Care Service sits within the central hub of the Adolescent Service which is part of our wider Family Resilience and Safeguarding service. We provide holistic support to children, young people and their families across Surrey. The Edge of Care service is a dynamic, intensive and creative part of the Adolescent Service which has an established practice model.
The Edge of Care team provides prevention support for children and young people (ages 11-17) on the edge of care, usually at imminent or potential risk of needing to become looked after. The team also plans and supports a young person's return home, for example, if a young person was in the care of the local authority in a crisis under section 20. Our plan will be to support reunification using our practice model.
The team provides structured interventions that help families:
- Develop problem-solving skills
- Build resilience
- Understand the impact of trauma
- Increase their ability to emotionally regulate as a family and individually
- Achieve positive, sustainable behaviour change
We provide a rapid response to young people and families in crisis. This helps them deal with difficulties that have led to the family being at risk of breakdown. It also prevents further escalation and referral to care proceedings. We are passionate about delivering solutions that improve the lives of children and families affected.
Our practice model includes solution focused, restorative and motivational interview approaches with interventions from the Compassion Focused Therapy model. As a team we use a relationship-based practice framework which highlights the value of establishing relationships that are?non-blaming, optimistic and hopeful, open and honest, and empathetic. Genuine relationships demonstrate 'care' for the child, their families and their future.
About the Role
As an Adolescent Practitioner in the Edge of Care service you will be working across the county in partnership with colleagues in all areas of children services. We work in line with Surrey's Agile Working policy but encourage collaborative working with the team which is promoted through daily virtual meetings and weekly face to face group supervision.
Our operational hours are 9am - 10pm Monday to Friday and 10am - 6pm Saturday and Sunday. The expectation is that each member of the team completes one 2pm - 10pm shift a week and one 10 - 6 shift on a weekend day every 4 weeks. Your other hours can be flexible in line with the agile working policy within the operational hours depending on the needs of the families you will support.
Weekend working is paid at time and a half and all operational hours have management support.
Shortlisting Criteria
We are looking for skilled and passionate adolescent workers who are dedicated to working positively with young people in sometimes challenging and complex situations.
To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:?
- Awareness and understanding of the roles and responsibilities of Practitioners working with vulnerable children and young people with experience of working in a social work, youth justice, youth work, teaching, or probation environment
- Appreciation of best practice approaches when supporting children and young people
- Experience of working with young people
- Basic awareness of relevant legislation affecting working with children, including the Children Act (1989) and the Children and Adoption Act (2002)
- IT skills, including use of databases, email, Word and Excel
- Ability to prioritise and manage under pressure with minimal supervision
- Willingness to learn and undertake training relevant to the role
- Confidence and emotional intelligence to engage others
Transferable skills and experience from a youth work, youth justice, education, residential children homes, social work background would align well to this role, where you will have the opportunity to gain further skills and experience in a dynamic and innovative environment.
Surrey has both urban and rural areas and you will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel to your contractual base and across a wide geographical area. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long-term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on?Friday 11th October?with interviews planned for?week commencing Monday 14th October.
An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.