The Family Support and Advice Line, Dorset Council’s Children’s Services “Front Door” team, is a supportive and forward-thinking service, where you will be invested in and have every opportunity to make that positive difference to children’s lives. Our Front Door Social Workers are known as Consultant Social Workers and form a dedicated, collaborative and highly regarded team.
The Family Support and Advice Line is a telephone, conversation and consultation-based service for all safeguarding contacts and referrals, one where relationships and collaboration is promoted to ensure that children and young people receive the right support, first time and in their communities. We work closely with our Family Help colleagues and MASH partners, so being an effective communicator and adopting a strengths-based approach is key.
We truly are ‘One Team’ where relationship-based and restorative practice is central to our service culture. Our team have been able to develop operational leads within the service, contributing to practice development within the service and wider organisation.
Our focus is on supporting families to meet the needs of their children and keeping children at home where it is safe to do so. You’ll find a variety of exciting challenges, working with our children, families, and partners, in a workplace that’s part of a community that values your skills, appreciates your passion, and recognises the difference you can make.
The Family Support and Advice Line works 365 days per year and includes our Out of Hours service. Our Consultant Social Workers work on a rota basis including an overnight, on call requirement once per fortnight. This requires a flexible and solution-focused approach, with a clear understanding of service demand and how we all work together.
We offer a flexible and supportive work environment with hybrid working. Our Consultant Social Workers currently work their full-time hours over a 4-day working week (amended for our part-time staff), contributing to a great work/life balance.
About You:
You are a skilled practitioner and registered social worker who can work flexibly, demonstrate calmness and reflection whilst under pressure. You are someone who supports your colleagues and promotes relationships with partner agencies, and our communities to ensuring our children in Dorset thrive.
We actively support a learning together culture. As a successful candidate you would demonstrate how you develop and promote a positive learning culture, not only in respect of your own learning but for others, whether this is within the service, the wider organisation, in our work with partners or with our children and families.
You will have a Diploma/Degree/MA in Social Work and have a minimum of 4 years post qualifying experience in Children's Services. You will also be registered with Social Work England.