Senior Social Worker
Senior Social Worker – Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT)
Job Purpose:
The Senior Social Worker will be a key member of a Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) in The Midlands, providing leadership and expertise in delivering high-quality social work services to children and families with complex needs. The role involves working with children and young people with disabilities, supporting their developmental needs, and providing therapeutic intervention, advocacy, and safeguarding services. The Senior Social Worker will also play a role in team coordination, supervision of junior staff, and collaboration with multidisciplinary colleagues to ensure a holistic, family-centered approach to care.
Key Responsibilities of the Senior Social Worker
- Provide high-quality social work assessments, interventions, and care planning for children and families within the CDNT.
- Work collaboratively with other professionals (e.g., occupational therapists, psychologists, physiotherapists) to deliver integrated services for children with disabilities.
- Develop and implement individual family support plans that address the holistic needs of the child and family, ensuring the best possible outcomes.
- Provide guidance and advocacy for children and families, helping them navigate social and healthcare systems, including access to financial supports, educational resources, and respite services.
- Promote safeguarding of vulnerable children, ensuring adherence to child protection policies and procedures.
- Provide clinical supervision, mentorship, and guidance to junior social workers and social work students.
- Support team development by contributing to the induction, training, and ongoing professional development of social workers within the team.
- Offer leadership in the ongoing development of the CDNT by contributing to service planning, development, and evaluation of social work services.
- Offer emotional and practical support to families, including crisis intervention, counseling, and assistance in accessing services.
- Promote a family-centered approach, ensuring that the voice of the child and family is central to all decision-making processes.
- Lead in complex case management, working with families in challenging situations, including cases of family breakdown, mental health issues, or safeguarding concerns.
- Work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team, participating in case conferences, team meetings, and other collaborative processes.
- Maintain strong relationships with external agencies, including education services, community health providers, and local authorities.
- Advocate for the needs of children with disabilities in wider community and inter-agency contexts.
- Policy and Administration:
- Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, policies, and standards, including Children First, the Disability Act, and the National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date case records, reports, and documentation in line with GDPR and professional standards.
- Contribute to the development and review of policies, procedures, and service improvement initiatives within the CDNT.
Qualifications and Experience of Senior Social Worker
- A recognised qualification in Social Work and registration with CORU (Health and Social Care Professionals Council).
- Minimum of 3-5 years of post-qualification experience, preferably with experience in disability services, child protection, or family support.
- Demonstrated experience in delivering complex case management and family-centered interventions.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation, policies, and best practice in safeguarding children and disability services.
Remuneration:
- Competitive salary in line with the HSE pay scales for Senior Social Workers, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
- Benefits include access to CPD opportunities, and flexible working arrangements.
To apply please contact jreid@medforce.ie
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