Vacancy Description

Achieving for Children is an award-winning social enterprise created by Kingston and Richmond Councils in 2014, expanding into the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead in 2017. We are responsible for delivering the entirety of children’s services in all three local authorities.

Achieving for Children has been up and running for four years, and in that time we have established a reputation as one of the leading children’s services providers in the country. We are one of the Department for Education’s eight ‘Partners in Practice’, tasked with leading improvement across the sector.

We are looking for a Social Worker to support 18-25 year olds to join our Children and Young People Disability Service (CYPDS) in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead at a time of exciting and positive change.

CYPDS is a multi professional service with the statutory responsibility for education and social care for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or a Disability (SEND). We work with those aged 0-25 years who have an Education, Health and Care Plan. We also benefit from close working with health partners.

The service includes a wide range of professional roles covering the 0-25 year’s age range as well as leading on the provision of a web based Local Offer, Short Breaks and a specialist holiday play scheme.

You will work within our new Preparing for Adulthood work stream that delivers holistic services for young people to ensure they meet their full potential as they move towards adulthood.

You will need to demonstrate highly refined interpersonal skills as the role requires you to develop and maintain mutually productive relationships with colleagues, partners, agencies and most importantly young people and their families.

As a Social Worker – Supporting 18-25 year olds for Achieving for Children (AfC), you will be responsible for:

• Working specifically with young adults aged 18-25 years who have an Education, Health and Care plan (EHC) but also meet the threshold for adult services by undertaking assessments of need.
• Providing a high quality responsive service within the statutory responsibilities of Children and Families Act 2014, the Children Act 1989 and 2004 and the Care Act 2014.
• Co-ordinating the specific tasks related to further education, independent living and where relevant the involvement of follow on adult services.
• Undertaking direct work with young people and their families which will include building family resilience, enhancing learning and development and guidance and support at key points of transition.
• Where a placement is required be proactive in sourcing options to meet individual needs.
• Be involved in statutory reviews of EHC plans as required.

To be a Social Worker in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, you will be passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of young people as well as demonstrating the following points

• Be a qualified social worker with relevant practice experience.
• Have knowledge and understanding of legislation, statutory frameworks and policy affecting services for children, young people and families in relation to SEND
• Have experience of building and maintaining successful relationships with a range of influencers, including colleges and care providers.
• Have a high level of determination, personal drive, energy and ambition to achieve challenging targets and improve outcomes.

In return, we will offer you high quality support and development opportunities. If you would like to find out more about this exciting role, please contact Sue Jewell on 01628 683226 for an informal discussion.

Achieving for Children is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful candidates will be required to undertake a Criminal Record Check.

Closing date: 10 November 2019

Interviews: tbc

Further information on this vacancy

• Job Description/Person Specification