Principal Social Worker - Head of Practice Improvement (PO11)
In Waltham Forest we are transforming services through a new operating model across children’s services, adults’ social care and public health which empowers our workforce to recognise themselves as agents of change, working with residents to enable them to find their own solutions and connect into sources of support in their communities. In social care specifically, this means bringing some teams or functions together where it makes sense to do so to provide the best services to our residents.
Our Principal Social Worker has the oversight of professional practice to lead, support and develop excellent social workers to deliver excellent services. The PSW also leads on quality assuring social work practice. To support discharging these duties, the PSW leads a small and highly effective team of practice improvement specialists.
We are a supportive, challenging and inspirational team, striving towards the shared purpose of delivering the best service for the children, vulnerable adults and families in our community. In return for your hard work, we will give you the time and active support you need to make a difference. Promoting creativity is at the heart of our agenda to develop Social Work, and means you will be encouraged to share ideas, bring about positive change and strive to continuously improve outcomes for our residents.
You will be an experienced and skilled social work manager with a track record of leading and improving services for either children or adults with the confidence to transfer these skills to the Think Family approach in Waltham Forest. Your approach to leadership will support your teams to give of their best and embrace our ethos that it is relationships (with each other, with our residents, and with our partners) that make the difference in helping our residents to be safe, well, resilient and independent.
Equal Opportunities
Waltham Forest is a diverse borough where diversity is valued and is integral to both, service delivery and employment of its staff. The Council is proud of its rich mix of communities and as the largest employer in the area, it works hard to respond to the changing needs of its population. We use our statutory duties on race, gender and disability equality and best practice in respect of age, faith and sexual orientation to ensure equality of opportunity in the workplace. The Council is committed to meeting its 4 equality objectives: - Promoting equality of opportunity - Opposing all forms of discrimination, intolerance and disadvantage - Ensuring our workforce reflects the diverse communities of Waltham Forest at all levels. - Providing fair, appropriate, accessible and excellent Services to all. Respecting Diversity is a core Council value. To support the above and reduce the risk of bias in its recruitment activities, the council is operating an anonymous shortlisting process, which hides personal information that can identify individuals until their application has been considered for shortlisting. The council also operates a scheme whereby, for jobs graded up to and including scale SO2, internal candidates are considered first. This includes those candidates who self-identify as having a disability for the purposes of the Disability Confident scheme. For more information, please refer to our recruitment and selection policy
How to apply
Application Information The councils preference is for on-line application forms. However if you have a disability and are unable to complete an on-line application, please ring 0208 496 4227 who will be able to arrange an alternative. For more information on how to complete your application form, follow this link: Applying for a job at Waltham Forest Council
