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Home: Employment full menu
Working for the Children & Families Service
Michelle Blades - February 2007
michelle.blades@kirklees.gov.uk
Kirklees has been judged as a three star Council that is improving well under Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA).
Due to a significant investment in our 3 star Children and Families Service we are looking for enthusiastic and
motivated people to join us and help improve our service delivery and ensure we continue to achieve high standards.
The Children & Families Service units:
The benefits of working for Kirklees Social Affairs and Health Children and Families Service
- all new staff in the Children & Families Service receive an induction with compulsory training
- all members of staff have their own computer and an e-mail address. There is a computer training programme to cater for all skill levels
- all members of staff have regular supervision in line with our Supervision Policy
- all members of staff have a Personal Development Review to identify individual training and development needs
- we have an extensive training programme offering a wide range of courses as well as access to funding for external training events
- we have developed excellent working relationships with staff from other organisations and service providers
- there is a generous relocation package, including solicitors fees
- we have competitive car loans
- there is a range of policies and working arrangements to support employees in achieving work-life balance
- Welfare Services such as the HEAL Scheme (Healthy Employees through Active Leisure) are available
- there is a workplace nursery
- the strategy for continuous development includes regular supervision and performance development reviews
- staff are eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme which provides a full range of benefits
- there is a council run Credit Union
- we have a supportive and safe working environment
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North and South Kirklees Children and Family Units
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The main duties and tasks performed by our Children and Families Units are:
- to complete Contact, Initial and Core Assessment for children in need, as set out in the Department of Health's Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need
- to complete Section 47 enquiries for children in need of protection, following the Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC), policies and procedures
- providing services to looked after children
- providing services to children in need
- providing services to children subject to Child Protection Registration
- to contribute to developing partnerships with external agencies and colleagues in the council to increase service delivery for children and their families
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Child Protection Unit
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The Unit provides services for:
- looked after children - by ensuring plans for children are suitable in that they meet their assessed needs within identified timescales
- children who are subject to the Child Protection Register - by ensuring Child Protection Plans are comprehensive and the children's needs are met
- children and families in Kirklees - by providing advice and information to agencies and the public, about child protection and child care issues.
- all Area Child Protection Committees (ACPC) agencies - providing advice and guidance about child protection and child care issues, which includes supporting developing policies, procedures and resources about education, health and other children's needs
- Social Services - through developing appropriate policies, procedures and resources, deciding training needs and linking these to all areas of the Children and Families Service to support good practice
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Family Placement Unit
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This Unit provides specialised services throughout Kirklees including:
- most of the Adoption Agency roles of the Local Authority
- a fostering service
- the Local Authority's duties under Section 51, 1975 Children Act and 1976 Adoption Act, to provide counselling for adopted people and those involved in the adoption process
- post adoption services including Adoption Allowances
- a resources panel
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Residential Services
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- The Residential Units provide a stable, encouraging and caring environment for young people aged 10 to 18, with Social Workers, families and other agencies, fulfilling all the personal, social and emotional responsibilities of good parents
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The Leaving Care and Child in Need (16+) Teams
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- respond to referrals for children in need, who are aged over 16
- support single illegal immigrants and asylum seekers, aged under 18, in a manner that recognises their age and vulnerability
- hold case accountability for most looked after children who are aged over 15
- provide an aftercare support service for care leavers
- provide supported lodgings which offer an important choice of support for older looked after children and, occasionally, children in need
- meet the challenges of the Leaving Care Act (2000). To do this a Pathway Team has been created to offer support and advice to young people over the age of 16
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Family Support Unit
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This unit provides a range of services aimed at preventing children becoming looked after, or suffering significant harm. These are provided
through direct support and partnership arrangements with voluntary organisations and include:
- The Family Support Team which provides preventive advice to children and their families. The team consists of several workers who work flexible hours to ensure support is offered at important times, for example evenings, weekends or bank holidays.
- The Family Centres in both North and South Kirklees, who among other things provide assessments, direct work, play activities and parenting programmes for children and their parents, carers.
- Home Start UK provides trained volunteers to work with families throughout Kirklees.
- Barnados Khandarni Dek Bhaal Project provides assessments and therapeutic work to South Asian families across Kirklees.
- Sure Start - there are 5 Sure Start programmes in Kirklees. These programmes improve early preventive action for families with children aged under 4 years
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Children with a Disability Unit
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The work of this unit includes:
The Children with a Disability Fieldwork Team
- completing Contact, Initial and Core Assessments and managing CIN Care Plans, as set out under DOH (2000) guidelines, The Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families
- completing Parent Care Assessments
- transitional assessments for young people with disabilities or mental health problems as they cross the threshold into adulthood. This ensures a planned and smooth transfer from Children's to Adult Services
- handling Section 47 CA1989 inquiries for disabled children in need of protection, following ACPC Policies and Procedures and DOH and others (1999) guidelines, Working Together to Safeguard Children
- fulfilling all statutory responsibilities for disabled looked after children
- joint agency assessments for adaptations to the home environment and for special equipment
- a post adoption counselling service
Elm Grove provides 'long-term' accommodation for disabled looked after children. Elm Grove works to meet all the statutory responsibilities and regulations which apply to residential care homes.
Orchard View provides short break care for parent carers of disabled children, by providing children's accommodation.
The Family Link Scheme recruits, assesses and supports respite foster carers for children with disabilities.
The Home Care Service provides home support and help within the community for children with disabilities and their families. It also provides family support services to children in need.
Kirklees Information Exchange (KIE) manages a register of disabled children, which informs the planning of multiagency services. KIE also publicises and distributes a newsletter, called KIE News , which keeps families informed of services and developments.
Children with Disabilities Playschemes and Activities Project organises and runs out of school and holiday playschemes for children with disabilities.
The Out and About Scheme recruits, assesses and supports volunteer befrienders for children with disabilities. It helps them access community activities, while providing short breaks for their parent carers.
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