The role of the Principal Social Worker is to:
- To provide professional leadership across the organisation and act as a bridge to enhance communication and understanding between Senior Management and Social Workers.
- Ensure professional practice oversight to lead, oversee, support and develop excellent social work practice
- Embed the highest standard of social work practice across the organisation by providing skilled and experienced leadership and practice knowledge to social workers and social care practitioners
- Promote evidence0-based social work practice and advocate for social inclusion.
St Helens Principal Social Worker role is included in the Head of Safeguarding Children & Quality Assurance role with an Assistant Principal Social Worker heading up the Practice Development Team.
The Principal Social Worker meets with all staff throughout the year to obtain their voice and to continue to strengthen social work practice and development. Staff are encouraged to identify themes and issues they wish to raise and obtain further support. The Principal Social Worker also meets with our International Social Workers to provide an opportunity to address any additional issues which they wish to raise.
The Principal Social Worker is a member of the Cheshire & Merseyside Social Work Teaching Partnership to ensure learning from the region is incorporated into local practice and to take advantage of the work undertaken.
The Principal and Assistant Principal Social Worker provide bespoke support to students and ASYEs and take a lead in the progression of all staff across the service.
The Practice Development Team supports the role and work of the Principal Social Worker within the authority and focuses on induction, training and supporting all staff in understanding expectations around practice standards and bottom lines to support Being Brilliant at the Basics and Beyond.
Our Social Work Education Group ensures that we maintain a key focus on the support to all staff to develop excellent social work practice.
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