About Family Services 

The aim of the Family Service is to ensure that all children and young people in Barnet achieve the best possible outcomes and to enable them to become successful adults, especially our most vulnerable children. They should be supported by high quality, integrated and inclusive services that identify additional support needs early, are accessible, responsive and affordable for the individual child and their family.

About The Role:

We are seeking a skilled, dynamic and motivated practitioner with a passion for achieving excellence to join the team as a social worker. Dedicated to supporting care experienced young people together and with proven experience of supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children to achieve their best outcomes, you will be a practitioner based within the UASC team in the leaving care service.

The Onwards and Upwards team provide support to young people who are looked-after or leaving the care of the London Borough of Barnet. Supported by an excellent workforce development programme, you will hold a manageable caseload of primarily UASC/former UASC young people

The successful candidate will possess in-depth knowledge and understanding of the legislative framework and polices in relation to looked-after children and leaving care and be able to articulate a developed sense of the particular needs of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. You will also be able to provide evidence of your excellent written and oral communication skills and demonstrate an ability to influence professionals to achieve the very best outcomes for care experienced young people.

If you thrive in a demanding, complex and rewarding environment and are creative in your practice to get the best out of others, then we would love to hear from you.

The post holder will be based at the team office in Woodhouse Road, but will be supporting young people across the Borough, and occasionally in neighbouring authorities and beyond. An ability to transport themselves and young people safely is essential.

Our Offer to you:

• A competitive salary including options to tailor this based on your needs and preferences which we are happy to discuss with you.*
• Opportunities for career progression in our social work hierarchy structure (including Advanced Practitioners through to Heads of Service).
• 30 days annual leave + Bank Holidays from the start of your employment.
• Benefits package including access to local government pension scheme, pool cars and more.
• A brand new purpose built and modern office based 5 minutes walk from Colindale tube station and free parking!

Support and Training:

• Access to systemic training.
• In house learning and development team with up to date training and emerging themes and resilience based models.
• Work-life balance options may include flexi-time, job-share, homeworking.
• Training to Practice Educator status.

*We appreciate that not all employees want the same rewards and benefits package; In addition to a comprehensive suite of employee benefits, this salary includes a Recruitment and Retention supplement of 15% and an additional 17% of base salary if you opt for a lower cost pension scheme. You are advised to seek independent financial advice before you take up this flexible option. We would be happy to discuss this with you at the interview process.