Children's Services look to the UK to recruit social workers

Sunday 15 October 2017

Adverts inviting people to work in Jersey are to be placed in The Guardian and specialist social care publications to attract experienced staff from the UK to work in the Children's Service, which is seeking 18 more social workers, two senior practitioners and a team manager.

A previous recruitment drive starting in December 2016 successfully attracted a number of recruits from the UK to the Island.

The high-profile month-long campaign was launched earlier this week. It also includes local adverts online and in local media, for a total of £16,275.

Julie Gibney, Director for Children’s Social Work said: “We are encouraged by the recruitment we’ve recently undertaken and each drive has brought new applicants and workers to the Island to work in this essential service. But recruitment across Children’s Services, both in the UK and locally, is a challenge, and we hope that UK-based social workers will want to know more, and come and help us develop the essential work we must deliver to keep Jersey’s vulnerable children safe."

 Recruitment will focus on the four key areas in the Children’s Service which are:

• Children In Need (CIN)
• The Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
• Complex Needs
• Fostering & Adoption Jersey

Senator Andrew Green, Minister for Health and Social Services, said: “My Department is fully committed to not only taking on the recommendations of the IJCI, but ensuring that Jersey’s children receive appropriate help and support throughout their lives, and that when help’s required, they can get it from a team who can act swiftly, always working with the interests of the child at their heart. I am constantly impressed by the work they do, and I know that further recruitment will help strengthen this team, whose work is crucial as we seek to protect the welfare of our most vulnerable children in Jersey.

“Much of the work the Children’s Service does is unseen and confidential. The staff who offer care and support in this way are enormously important, and I thank everyone who works so hard, every day, to make this happen.”