There’s a real family feel to our teams; we have approachable and supportive managers who have an open door and are willing to listen and, as a team, we all pull together to support each other and share our expertise.

Our hubs are ‘mobile and agile’, you will have the very best kit to be able to work flexibly across the borough giving you more time to do the job you love in a way that also supports you to achieve the work life balance you need. Our strengths-based practice means we tap into local resources and work positively with a really broad range of professionals and other teams based in the hub. The way we work means you’ll have the opportunity to really get to know the service users you work with, and your professional social work skills will be at the fore in Court of Protection, Safeguarding and DOLs work.

The Community Wellbeing Teams undertake initial assessments, reviews and safeguarding enquiries for vulnerable people and their carers in the community. Working with adults over the age of 18 with physical, sensory disabilities and mental health needs. A high-quality strength based, and customer focused approach is expected to assist in minimising the distress experienced by service users to ensure good outcomes are achieved.

The pace of work means you need to be organised and resilient but most of all you will care about the people we are working with.

We are committed to providing our social workers with exceptional levels of support, from a comprehensive induction through to continuous personal and professional development. We provide and encourage you to make the most of the high-quality opportunities we offer. We are focused on your own personal and professional development; we will support you to enhance your skills and practice and be the best you can be. We have an established career structure in place to help you get where you want to be in your career.

Our employees are at the very heart of the services we provide to the community, to help us achieve our ambitions, we want the best possible team. In return, we will make sure you are rewarded with a great range of staff benefits to support you in and out of work.

We have opened this job advert in invite Newly Qualified Social Workers to apply (please see the grade 9 job spec attached). This only applies to AYSE’S that are already social work qualified and registered with Social Work England. You must be eligible to start work within 3 months.

Kirklees Youth Justice Service (YJS) is a multi-agency partnership comprising social work, health, police, careers, restorative justice, probation and youth justice professionals.

The YJS sits alongside the Youth Engagement Team, which together form the Youth Engagement Service, providing support for children identified at risk of all forms of exploitation, and criminal behaviours. As a Social Worker within the YJS you will be working closely with Youth Engagement Team colleagues and will on occasion be responsible working with children at risk of exploitation as well as offending.

The primary focus of role will be working within the YJS to engage children in the justice system in order to prevent further offending and support them to reach their potential and contribute positively to their communities.

The Youth Justice Service models child-first principles, putting children at the heart of service provision, identifying/tackling the drivers for offending, recognising structural barriers and supporting children to develop pro-social, positive behaviours. We promote children’s individual strengths, building positive relationships and working in a constructive, future focussed way. We promote diversion from the formal justice system where possible, with the majority of the children working with our Service doing so through out of court disposals.

Restorative justice is central to what we do. This means we give victims a voice in our decision making, encourage children to take responsibility for their behaviour and give them an opportunity to make amends.

The Person

We are looking for:

• Social work experience and a good understanding of the social work role within a youth justice setting
• Experience of working positively across a multi-agency team.
• A commitment to equalities and an understand of the structural barriers faced by children in the justice system
• Ability to engage children and families and to work in an inclusive, collaborative and trauma informed way
• Address safety concerns, both for the child’s own safety and wellbeing and that of others
• Knowledge of youth justice practice including relevant legislation, government guidelines and best practice principles
• Ability to use case management systems and procedures and to produce high quality analytical written assessments, plans and interventions.
• Commitment restorative working, taking into account of the views and interests of victims and issues of public safety and confidence
• Experience and understanding of delivering services to those at risk of child exploitation, gang affiliation and criminal influences
• Flexibility, positivity and an ability to work to deadlines

Interviews will take place week commencing 6th February 2025

Looking to appoint as a Newly Qualified, Level 2 or Level 3 Social Worker

Working in Social Care is a challenging and rewarding job. With your help people can remain independent for longer and have choice and control. In Kirklees we aim to deliver high quality personalised services.

Do you feel that you can work to deliver the outcomes of personalisation?

Working as part of the Batley Community Wellbeing Team you will undertake initial assessments, reviews, and safeguarding enquiries for vulnerable people and work with the person’s informal/formal carers in the community. As part of your role, you will also, work with people who are at risk of self-neglect, hoarders and depending on experience complete court work.

You will be working with adults over the age of 18 with physical, sensory disabilities and mental health needs. A high-quality strength based, and customer focused approach is expected to assist in minimising the distress experienced by service users to ensure good outcomes are achieved.

You will engage in multi-agency working with a range of allied health and social care professionals to achieve the best outcomes for people. Awareness of working practices, legal frameworks and change agendas affecting partners – in particular, NHS, is essential.

You will be working with adults and carers to encourage Self-Directed support and Self-Assessment, making eligibility determinations as defined in the Care Act (2014), as well as safeguarding. Using outcome focused assessment and knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) you will adopt a positive approach to risk.

There is a supportive feel to our team; we have approachable and supportive managers who have an open door, regular advice surgeries and are willing to listen; we all pull together to support each other and share our expertise.

Working in Social Care is a challenging and rewarding job. With your help people can remain independent for longer and have choice and control. In Kirklees we aim to deliver high quality personalised services and are looking for social workers who are passionate about delivering the outcomes of personalisation. Is this you?

Travel is an essential part of this job and therefore it would be extremely difficult for you to do your job effectively if you did not use a car for all or most of the time. It is essential that you hold a full and valid driving license, and it is expected that you will either use a council vehicle or your own car (exceptions can be made for disabled applicants).

An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required for this job. A conviction may not exclude candidates from appointment but will be considered as part of the recruitment process.

What we can offer:

• We offer a wide range of staff benefits including KAL corporate rate gym memberships.
• Access to a comprehensive in-house occupational health and wellbeing department with access to physio and counselling.
• Access to the ‘Vivup employee benefits ‘ platform giving savings and discounts at national and local retailers.
• Coaching and mentoring
• Excellent pension scheme
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• A range of family friendly policies, including flexible working and working from home.

But don’t just take our word for it….find out what one of our social worker’s has to say about her career to date, or what some of our staff have to say about why they chose this profession and what makes Kirklees special.

If you want to feel valued, trusted and recognised for a job well done whilst having the personal and professional support you need, apply now.

If you would like further information, please contact Janet Walshaw (Team Manager) on 01924 482112