Job title: Senior Therapeutic Social Worker

Salary: PO3 £41,511 - £44,711

Hours: 37 Hours & 18.5 Hours

Contract: Permanent

Location: Cottingley Children’s Centre

Are you interested in therapeutic work with children?

Do you have a social work qualification and experience in direct work with children? 

The Therapeutic Social Work Team are looking for highly motivated and committed individuals, passionate about supporting the most vulnerable children and young people.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a Senior Therapeutic Social Worker, you will bring to the role:

• An experienced social worker, who holds current registration with the Social Work England, and Practice Educator Award One. This post is not suitable for newly qualified social workers.
• A highly motivated, proactive approach to learning, with a creative drive to promote the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and families who have been impacted by their early trauma.
• Experience in a child protection arena and understand the need to balance the complex interface between safeguarding and therapeutic interventions.
• The ability to demonstrate skill and experience of working with traumatised children and families therapeutically will be advantageous.
• An accredited therapeutic qualification is desirable but not essential.

About the role

The TSWT is a unique team, our social workers work collaboratively as part of systemic approach to support Children Looked After, Children on Child Protection Plans and Care Experienced adults up to 25 years with their emotional wellbeing. 

This is an opportunity to join a fast paced, innovative, and exciting team, with opportunities to undertake training in therapeutic models. Additionally, the team benefits from Clinical Psychology, Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy input. 

We are a friendly and supportive team, with a relationship based, systemic approach to our work. The range of work with children and families is varied, dynamic and constantly developing in response to changes in the field of developmental trauma, attachment, and neurodevelopment.

As our next Senior Therapeutic Social Worker, you’ll undertake the following core tasks:

• Screening and formulation of therapeutic need
• Direct work with children, young people, carers and the systemic network - Devise, implement, review and evaluate services and therapeutic plans.
• Contribution to the ongoing development of trauma-sensitive, relational, PACE informed support to Leeds residential homes
• Life Story Support to professionals – including training and Life story clinic
• Fostering Surgery and Social Work Discussion appointments
• Opportunities to delivering training
• Risk management and support

The Therapeutic Social Work Team is a large, welcoming team offering city-wide services, which may also include some travel out of Leeds. You will be encouraged to develop your professional skills through supervision, co-working and training opportunities. 

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements

• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Molly Myers or Elli Lilburn-Quick, Team Managers on 0113 378 1800 or email molly.myers@leeds.gov.uk / ellen.lilburnquick@leeds.gov.uk

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description

• Under the general direction of a Team Manager to provide a high quality and comprehensive therapeutic social work service to children, their families and carers in accordance with the organisational needs, policy and practices of the Directorate and within statutory guidelines. 
• The post holder must at all times carry out his/her responsibilities within the City Council’s Policies and Procedures, in particular the Council Policies on Equality and Diversity, Health and Safety, and also within the Social Work England Professional Standards. 

• This is an experienced Senior Social Worker role with specific responsibilities for managing a caseload of higher levels of complexity, which will include assessment and management of risk within the context of therapeutic need, and to provide specific casework advice, support and guidance to multi agency colleagues in relation to the interface between safeguarding and therapeutic work. 

• To carry a caseload of complex cases and undertake assessment of therapeutic need of service users and carers/parents using a child focused approach in accordance with agreed statutory and directorate procedures.   

• To provide advice, support and guidance on casework to less experienced team members.  

• On the basis of assessed needs and risks and, using a child and trauma focused approach, devise and implement service and support plans which correspond to the assessed needs of service users, their families and carers in line with procedures. 

• Responsible for analysing information to support the on-going needs of users, their families and carers. 

• To monitor and contribute to the review of plans relating to the assessed needs of service users, their families and carers in accordance with directorate procedures. 

• To use a safeguarding framework, to make enquiries, investigate and manage risks where children have experienced or likely to experience significant harm. 

• Provide written and verbal reports which are concise, informative and based on analysis of complex evidence which can be used within the legal context. 
• Maintain and update case notes and other records and write reports as required. 
• Work directly with children and young people to ensure that assessments and interventions are informed by their views. 
• Use management information systems, keeping them up to date and able to provide concise and accurate information about circumstances and plans within the requirements of data protection. 
• Be compliant with relevant governance, policy and procedures. 
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other professionals within the directorate and partner agencies to ensure integrated, holistic and multidisciplinary approach to the care management and safeguarding of service users. 
• Contribute to the promotion of improved outcomes for individuals, families, carers and groups from diverse and disadvantaged communities. 
• Be responsible for understanding and applying all relevant practice standards, policies and procedures. Maintain an awareness of related theories and legislation. Disseminate knowledge and contribute to the delivery of a high standard of service. 
• Responsible for planning and negotiating a range of appropriate services and interventions that meet the needs of service users within delegated levels of responsibility. 
• Assist in the planning and developing of future services and policies, promote innovative ways of developing evidenced based practice and contribute to the development of capacity within the community. 
• Identify and implement strategies for responding appropriately to concerns about practice or procedures, seeking guidance if required. 
• Under the direction of the Team Manager undertake specific pieces of work in relation to customer feedback, representations, complaints, multi agency projects or service developments and make recommendations or actions plans to implement these to improve service delivery. 
• Appropriately participate in meetings and relevant forums and convene and chair multi agency meetings in line with procedures. 
• Organise work activities taking account of the need to prioritise tasks and responsibilities ensuring statutory legislation and service priorities are met. 
• To work to and within the prescribed Professional Capabilities Framework. 
• Work to the prescribed standards for service provision and maintain performance and develop practice and experience in line with personal targets as agreed with line manager through supervision and appraisal. 
• Participate in training and development activities that ensure up to date knowledge, skills, and continuous professional development. 
• To supervise students and contribute to the preparation of practice learning settings for student placements, ensuring induction programmes are provided and continuously monitor learning setting and opportunities provided. 
• To comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council and Directorate policies and procedures and staff instructions, including responsibilities under Health and Safety policy and procedures. 
• To actively promote and support Leeds City Council’s and Directorate policies on Equality and Diversity.

• To undertake any other duties and responsibilities appropriate to the grade and purpose of the job as may be determined by the directorate.

Responsibilities

• Carry out the role and responsibilities of Therapeutic Social Worker for a caseload which will include providing quality complex systemic therapeutic assessments and interventions within a statutory and evidence based therapeutic framework. 
• Undertake assessment, planning and reviewing of work concerning children in need in Kinship care, children subject to child protection plans and Supervision Orders, and children who are looked after within the context of therapeutic interventions and child and adolescent mental health. 
• Working restoratively to develop and maintain effective relationships with children and young people, their families and carers to achieve positive outcomes, especially in the arena of positive mental health. 
• Undertake preventative work with families in order to reduce the need for children to become looked after in care using a range of interventions. 
• Participate in arrangements to receive, screen and respond to requests for service and referrals, including the use of clinical measures. 
• Work with children and young people, families and carers to help them make informed decisions, enabling them to clarify and express their needs and contribute to service planning and therapeutic interventions and emotional wellbeing. 
• Where necessary work in the court arena to support the CSWS obtain court orders and to uphold the validity of therapeutic interventions. 
• Plan and commission services and support for children, young people and their families: with specific reference to advising in the arena of external placements and child and adolescent mental health. 
• To undertake detailed therapeutic assessments where there is complexity: for example, sexually harmful behaviour; non-abusing parent’s capacity to protect and placement of sibling groups.
• To deliver on core team services, such as: Fostering Surgery; Life Story Clinic, training and to provide advice and guidance on complex psychological issues to a range of professionals. 
• To provide advice and guidance to all CSWS staff; schools; parents/carers; external partners based on knowledge of psychological theories and research, mental health, child development, trauma, loss and bereavement, attachment, child abuse, harmful sexual behaviour, self- harm, eating disorders, ADHD, ASD and other developmental and psychological difficulties. 
• To assess and refer to CAMHS if appropriate whilst remaining the case holder or to contribute within the team to assessments for autism or ADHD or learning disability. 
• Contribute to the development of good practice and services through participation in workshops and the delivery of training. 
• Work with relevant agencies, including the convening and chairing of meetings. 
• Work to be undertaken with supervision and guidance from the Team Manager. 
• To undertake Practice Educator Level 2 role and assess and manage the work of social work students.

Qualifications

Essential requirements

It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria. Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

Skills:

• Able to effectively plan, manage, prioritise and evaluate work with service users. 
• Ability to plan, prioritise and time manage a complex workload.
• A high level of effective written and verbal communication and the ability to pass information accurately and concisely with a range of partners and services users, carers and colleagues. 
• Able to overcome resistance and to exercise assertiveness in appropriate situations when working with individuals, families, carers and other agencies.
• Ability to negotiate, challenge and manage conflict. 
• To innovate and problem solve with the ability to identify appropriate social work and therapeutic interventions in order to promote positive change and child and adolescent mental health.
• Ability to devise, implement, review and evaluate services and therapeutic plans. 
• Ability to assess the needs of and work with individuals and groups using a person centred approach and/or systemically in complex cases.
• Ability to exercise individual judgement and to seek and provide consultation where and when necessary. 
• Ability to negotiate the interface between safeguarding and the provision of therapeutic work for children and families/carers. 
• Ability to be flexible, creative and use own initiative. 
• Ability to maintain accurate service user records, assessments and follow policy and procedure. 
• Able to record, evidence and communicate using technology.
• Able to exercise individual judgement, assess risk and consult where and when appropriate. 
• Ability to chair multi agency and other meetings and represent the Council in a professional capacity. 
• Able to develop self and others including mentoring, supervision, providing consultation and development of student placements to social work staff.
• Able to lead and motivate staff.

Knowledge

• Appropriate social work professional qualification (BSc, BA, MA, DipSW, CQSW, or equivalent) 
• Registration with Social Work England Practice Educator Level 2. 
• Recent relevant professional development. 
• Knowledge and understanding of the legislative framework appropriate to the needs of service users from a wide range of backgrounds. 
• Knowledge and awareness of mental health issues with particular reference to child and adolescent mental health. 
• Knowledge of evidence based practice in relation to therapeutic interventions. 
• Understanding of the roles and responsibilities of statutory and voluntary agencies. 
• Basic awareness of IT systems including Microsoft Office, Internet and Email. 
• Of current, trends, policies, legislation and regulatory bodies in relation to vulnerable people within a social care setting. 
• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of confidentiality and the needs and wishes of individuals, families and carers as appropriate. 
• Demonstrate an awareness of needs and safeguarding issues associated with vulnerable people. 
• Demonstrate an understanding of diversity issues within local communities. 
• A good understanding of the challenges of working within a multi-agency environment.
• Ability to work and engage with children and young people and use their views to inform assessments, plans and interventions.

Experience

• Experience of working within a Social Care environment. 
• Experience of working with children/families in at least one therapeutic modality to promote emotional wellbeing. 
• Experience of working in a multi agency setting. 
• Demonstrate creativity in tackling and solving problems. 
• Of working within and implementing a person centred/child focused approach. 
• Experience of supervising, supporting, encouraging and advising qualified and non qualified staff. 
• Use of reflective practice techniques to critically analyse information to inform decision making and planning. 
• Producing written records and reports to a high standard for a variety of purposes with language suited to function. 
• Managing a high level, complex and diverse caseload within agreed parameters, policy and procedure. 
• Application of information gathering skills to make and contribute to assessments.

Essential Behavioural and other related characteristics

• Identify and take account of the significance of diversity on the lives of people and show application of this understanding in practice. 
• Take responsibility for improving practice through professional development. 
• Registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) upon commencement in post and maintain yearly registration.
• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Be aware of and be able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all, working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements

It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria.  Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

• Possession of a full current driving licence. 
• Demonstration of presentation/training skills. 
• Ability to employ a wide range of therapeutic interventions based on research and evidenced based practice. 
• Consolidation of learning for specialist practice (to include therapeutic interventions) 
• Of working and reporting within a court environment. 
• Experience of working in a therapeutic environment. 
• Experience of working with young people with sexually harmful behaviour. 
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary setting.