Social Worker

**JOB TITLE: Social Worker**

**TEAM**: Health Services

**REPORTS TO**: Senior Medical Officer (Ascension Island Government day to day line management) and Saint Helena Social Work Manager (Case specific/technical supervision). Peer Supervision is provided by Hampshire County Council, UK.

**JOB PURPOSE**:
To work within the Community to provide a proactive and comprehensive Social Work service, operating in line with the statutory duties and responsibilities of the Ascension Island Government, and with strict adherence to agreed policies, procedures and best practice. The work includes direct case work with children and families and other adults in need as well as to provide advice and expertise to the Ascension Island Safeguarding Children’s Board.

**MAIN DUTIES**:
As the only Social Worker on Ascension Island, a small island community, the post holder will be required to work independently and using their own initiative. The post holder will be required to lead on all Safeguarding issues and be the statutory welfare provision for the island in conjunction with partner agencies. The post holder will be a key member of the Ascension Island Safeguarding Children Board and lead on policy development. The work of the post holder will be guided by the changing needs of the population of Ascension.

The principal duties are:

- Through a referral process, provide assessment and support for Children with support needs and Adults at Risk.

- Complete Safeguarding enquiries in accordance with the Child Welfare Ordinance, (2011) and local Child Safeguarding Procedures.

- Manage a caseload of clients, maintaining comprehensive and timely recording of interventions.

- Build and maintain a high standard of proactive multi-agency working with statutory agencies i.e. Health, School, Police and Social Care in other geographical locations.

- Undertake joint investigations with the police and assist with Achieving Best Evidence interviews.

- Build on previous work undertaken and continue to develop the relatively new Social Work role on Island to meet the specific needs of the community.

- Take appropriate action in conjunction with other agencies, within the legal and statutory framework, including Working Together, (2018).

- As appropriate, liaise with overseas agencies when individuals who require further support are leaving Ascension and lead on any transition between locations.

- Be responsible for the agenda and preparatory documents for the Ascension Island Safeguarding Children Board. Advising AIG on policy and procedure, areas of future work, writing policy and procedure as necessary.

- Maintain the supervisory and regulatory function of registered Child Minders and provide support, advice and training to this group as required.

- Maintain a supervisory and regulatory function to anyone volunteering with children or vulnerable groups.

- Depending on experience and skills, to provide regular, structured training programmes, particularly in areas of Safeguarding, Mental Health and Domestic Violence to key stakeholders in the Ascension community.

- Depending on experience and skills, provide structured training and proactive support to Mental Health First Aiders, Domestic Violence Champions and Organisational Welfare Leads.

- Depending on experience and skills, and in collaboration with the hospital, to provide a distinct Social Work therapeutic function, supporting those experiencing mental health difficulties, trauma, substance use, family difficulties and other emotional difficulties.

- Run specific, structured Social Work outreach clinics at the school, hospital and island wide organisations as appropriate.

- To assist the Court as periodically directed, in providing Pre Sentence reports as required (training can be provided).

- To run appropriate Safeguarding publicity campaigns in the local media and directly with employees and parents.

- Maintain a proactive presence within the school and hospital, building positive relationships with staff and pupils.

- To demonstrate a consistently high standard of practice that is child/person centred and puts the needs of vulnerable groups at the forefront of all activity.

- To actively promote anti-discriminatory practice and the celebration of diversity. Challenge injustice, discrimination and lack of access to services within a local context.

- To ensure a high standard of case recording and able to ensure reports and statements for Court and case conferences are prepared to a high standard, adhering to deadlines.

- Liaise effectively with stakeholders on the island across a broad range of Safeguarding issues, providing advice and support as required.

- To work with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and other UK Overseas Territories to deliver specific and wide-ranging initiatives.

- The role holder may be required to work occasional evenings, weekends and public holidays, in order to meet service user needs.

- To carry out any othe