Job: Principal Social Worker
Location: Herefordshire .Hybrid Opportunities Available
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 37
Pay Scale: £50,287- £55,979 plus £5000 Market Forces Supplement
Closing Date: 08/06/2022

Herefordshire County Council is looking for an outstanding individual who is committed to providing a first class service to children, young people and their families.

As Principal Social Worker, you will lead the development and delivery of high-quality practice across all of Children and young people directorate and the wider partnership, including new Practice Standards, and policies and procedures. You will drive Quality Assurance and the Sings of Safety as our Practice Model within the children’s workforce across the County including leading on the delivery of the Participation Framework, actively engaging the voice of Social Work, Children and Families to ensure the effective delivery of services which safeguard children.

We are looking for someone to provide strategic leadership and expert advice on children and families workforce issues within the Council across all aspects of practice. You will provide challenge and support to practitioners, managers and elected members to ensure practice is robust and high quality. You will engage with the Senior Management Team to ensure practice remains focused on the child.

You will have excellent frontline practice skills; sound management experience in children's social care; the ability to analyse complex information and use this to support improvement in practice. You will be a positive communicator who can collaborate, influence, and challenge with excellent verbal and written skills. We are looking for someone who is deeply committed to improving outcomes for vulnerable children and will go the extra mile to make this happen.

You will have substantial knowledge of the legislation and statutory responsibilities that underpin Children's Social Work Services, including appropriate performance indicators and quality standards.
Herefordshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Appointment is dependent on satisfactory and verifiable references.

Your main emphasis will be on driving a learning culture with high support, high challenge.

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure application to the Disclosure and Barring service and registration as a qualified Social Worker with Social Work England.
As part of the interview process for this role you may be required to complete additional testing.

We welcome applicants whatever their personal characteristics or social identity. All requests for flexible working arrangements and reasonable adjustments will be considered.

The following candidates will be interviewed if they meet the essential criteria for the post they are applying for:
• Those who indicate that they have a disability. This is part of our commitment to the “Disability Confident” scheme;
• Those who indicate in their supporting statement that they are an Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist. This is part of our pledge to support the Armed Forces Covenant; and
• Those who indicate in their supporting statement that they are a Herefordshire care leaver. This is part of our commitment to supporting young people leaving our care.

Benefits with Herefordshire Council
• Holidays: 25 days per year, increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service
• Pension: LGS pension scheme
• Pick your perks – our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts.
• We also offer an employee assistance programme that means you will have access to confidential support and advice if you ever need it.

Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for more details of this role.

To apply, please submit your CV along with a supporting statement, referring to the job description and person specification, detailing how you meet the specific requirements of the role.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you would like to obtain details regarding feedback on your application please contact Hoople Resourcing at: enquiries@hoopleresourcing.co.uk