Thank you for your interest in this position
Education and Children’s Services
Social Work Assistant
Welcome to Fife
I am proud to be Chief Executive of Fife Council. Working with colleagues and
councillors, together we provide vital public services for over 360,000 people and
believe our role is to help improve lives and communities.
We are ambitious for Fife but our most challenging years ever lie ahead. More and
more people need our help and we’re focussed on reducing inequalities and
increasing opportunities throughout our communities. And yet, like the rest of the
public and voluntary sector, we have less money and fewer staff to get the job
done.
These are challenging times, but it’s also an exciting time to be in local
government. We’ve got a unique opportunity to redesign the way we provide
services and make a positive difference.
We’re looking for enthusiastic people with compassion and respect for the
residents of Fife, who are ready to help us transform local services for the future.
Steve Grimmond
Chief Executive, Fife Council
If you have any queries about the job information pack or application process, please contact the Transactions Recruitment Team.
You can do this by telephoning 03451 550088, (VOIP 2000 if internal to Fife Council), or by emailing [email protected]
.The Transactions Recruitment Team are located in Fife Council, Fife House, Glenrothes, Fife, KY7 5LT. We value diversity and are
striving towards equality of opportunity. All applicants will be considered fairly and on merit.
Job Profile
Job Title:
Social Work Assistant
File Reference Number:
Directorate and
Service:
Education and Children’s Services, Children & Families
Reports to:
Team Manager / Senior Practitioner
Grade:
FC6
Job Purpose:
To work in partnership to provide delivery of high quality services to service users through robust assessment and
case management processes.
Key Tasks &
Responsibilities:
Reduce levels of risk to service users and others.
SCP 17 - 22
Undertake assessment of need and risk as directed by the Line Manager.
Contribute to complex assessments of need and risk.
Contribute to/development of care/action plans.
Case worker responsibility. Case co-ordination responsibility, effective use of case recording and case file
management.
Provide written reports as required, including informed recommendations concerning care/action plans, further
actions.
Maintain service user/carer contact as required.
Promoting/maintaining independence and inclusion.
Work with individuals and in group settings.
Support service users to manage finances, budgets, tenancy and general social behaviours.
January 2016
Page 2 of 7
Job Profile
Engage and Support families and carers.
Participate in multi-agency meetings as required.
Work in collaboration with partners e.g. Health Service, Education, Police and voluntary sector agencies.
Achieve the objective within Social Work Service improvement plan in terms of performance, people, partnerships
and promotion of equal opportunities.
Improve the outcomes for service users.
Apply knowledge and judgement.
Promote the interests of service users and carers in terms of rights, opportunities, culture and diversity.
Ensuring that service users receive an outcome focussed service.
Ensuring that risk assessment and risk management are central to achieving good outcomes.
Ensure that all interventions and engagement with service users contribute to improving outcomes.
General Tasks &
Responsibilities:
Ensure that financial resources are utilised in line with Council policy and procedure.
Responsibility for the effective application of the electronic client information system.
Update and ensure accuracy of all relevant client records.
The effective collection, analysis and application of management information is essential for delivery and
development of services.
Appropriate quality control procedures ensure standards are met.
Observance of protocols, guidance and standards including those relevant to confidentiality and information
sharing.
Ensure the best use and safe housekeeping of any equipment.
January 2016
Page 3 of 7
Job Profile
Special Conditions:
The pattern of working hours will be determined for individual remits and on occasions may include evenings and
weekends. There will be a requirement to attend meetings outwith normal working hours, when necessary,
subject to service user and staff availability.
There will also be a requirement to attend outwith normal working hours for development, training, registration
compliance etc when necessary.
Before confirming appointment, you will be required to obtain PVG scheme membership through Disclosure
Scotland.
January 2016
Page 4 of 7
Person Specification
Social Work Assistant
Within Education and Children’s Services
Attributes
Essential
Desirable
Assessment
Experience
Considerable experience in a relevant setting
Experience of case coordination/planning
Application Form
Knowledge and understanding of Child and
Adult Protection guidelines and information
sharing protocols
Interview
Experience of multi-disciplinary working
and liaison with a range of agencies
Experience of joint working to achieve common
goals
Education,
Qualifications
Training and
Professional
Memberships.
Skills, Abilities &
Knowledge
A relevant qualification such as SVQ
3/HNC or equivalent
Interview
Certificates
Knowledge of service policies and procedures
and resources
Evidence of ability to promote equality and
diversity
Ability to interpret data and analyse information
Skills in negotiating, problem solving,
communication, report writing and use of IT
Awareness and understanding of the role of
carers and families and the impact this may
have on health and well-being
January 2016
Application Form
Knowledge and understanding of theory
underpinning practice in relevant areas of
Social Work
Application Form
Interview
Understanding of the value of
performance management/ monitoring in
Social Work
Desire to identify, adopt and develop
models of practice in order to achieve
positive outcomes
Understanding of models of good practice
within the context of work setting
Page 5 of 7
Person Specification
Social Work Assistant
Within Education and Children’s Services
Attributes
Essential
Knowledge of responsibility for reporting Child
and Adult Protection issues
Desirable
Assessment
Effective writing and verbal skills
Ability to communicate and present information
clearly within a variety of settings
Knowledge of professional practice models
and standards
Knowledge and understanding of stakeholder
objectives
Knowledge, skills and experience of utilising a
variety of interventions in working with groups
and individuals
Interpersonal &
Communication
Skills
Effective communication skills
Application Form
Ability to engage with others
Interview
Good range of people skills and ability to work
well and engage with others from a range of
backgrounds
Ability to practice in a way that empowers others
January 2016
Page 6 of 7
Person Specification
Social Work Assistant
Within Education and Children’s Services
Attributes
Essential
Health & Physical
Attributes
Ability to provide a regular and effective
service
Pre-employment
Health Screening
How We Work
Matters
OD12 How We Work Matters
Application Form
The above document details which behaviours
are required for successful performance in the
role.
Interview
January 2016
Desirable
Assessment
Page 7 of 7