Children's social care
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We’re here to help those who need us most. Across our children's social worker teams, we believe in rewriting people’s stories. We bring warmth, care, and uncompromising safeguarding values.
Why Luton?
Alongside the many challenges facing the town, Luton has a number of important strengths and assets that will be crucial to driving the success of this vision over the coming years.
We're a cohesive town with a powerful sense of community spirit within our neighbourhoods. Luton is home to:
- the fifth largest airport in the UK which supports jobs, the local economy and services for residents
- Luton and Dunstable Hospital
- Luton Town Football Club
The town has outstanding access to greenspace, including six green flag parks, and close proximity to the Chilterns. We have many good and outstanding schools and Luton is one of the few places in the country with no inadequate schools.
Relocation package
Are you relocating to Luton to work with us? Then we want to help. We can offer you funding of up to £8,500 to cover your expenses, and give you support and advice throughout your move.
From 25 days annual leave
We know how important it is for our teams to be happy, healthy and well rested - so we'll give you 25 days holiday right from the off! And if you decide to stay for 5 years, we'll treat you to a top up of another 5 days. What could you do with a month off? Let's not forget about the 7 bank holidays too! You also have the opportunity to buy up to 10 days extra annual leave!
Government pension scheme
With generous employer contributions of 17.3%, we'll help you save for your future. Retirement might seem like a distant dream right now, but when you're ready, we want to make sure you've got the funds to make the most of it. After all, you've earned it!
Travel discount
In Luton, we have world class transport links across the UK. In fact, we can get you from central London into Luton in just 22 minutes by train. Our staff discount of 50% off of your season rail ticket might just come in handy
Car parking
Our social workers are entitled to a free car parking space in one of the council's car park locations.
Work-life-balance
Your time is precious, and we believe in working to live - not living to work! So we're proud to offer flexible and agile working options to our teams, just to make it that little bit easier.
Career Pathways
Working with us means you'll have the opportunity take advantage of our careers pathway to reach your career goals. You'll be able to develop your skills and progress to new opportunities within the council.
Workforce development strategy
As part of your career here at Luton Children’s Services, we have a workforce development strategy in place ensuring that you're supported to grow and develop. This is because we take pride in recruiting and retaining the very best. This strategy outlines how we'll create the best opportunities and learning culture to help us collectively achieve: stability and permanency within our service a confident, highly experienced workforce.
Phone and laptop
As part of your benefits package you'll receive a work phone and laptop to help you complete your work more efficiently.
Various discounts
You'll be able to access gym membership with Active Luton, giving you access to 7 fitness centres across Luton. You can save on joint or single memberships to help you keep fit. You'll also have the opportunity to join Costco by being an employee of a local authority. More discounts include Vauxhall Cars and Kaarp, which offers you various different offers for you and your family.
Hybrid working
We moved to a ‘new normal’ in October 2021, with a general working arrangement for staff of 3 days per week working from home. The Children, Families and Education department has adopted this approach in line with council policy. The hybrid approach to work will continue with staff working from home on this semi-permanent basis. Some employees will come into the office on a regular basis, depending on: their home situation wellbeing needs operational or service user’s requirements.
The teams ‘on duty’, or working weekends, remain office based. The remaining teams will work using the hybrid approach. These working arrangements are in place and provide the appropriate levels of autonomy. They also promote a positive work/life balance. There are no plans to alter this. The service will continue to use IT solutions (Microsoft Teams and AVAYA) for virtual meetings. Service meetings and team meetings will continue virtually until further notice.
Our teams
Our vision
Putting children, young people and their families at the heart of everything we do.
Our role
To support and safeguard children at risk of harm through a multidisciplinary approach that engages key professionals at the right time.
All 5 teams are based at:
(ul>2nd Floor Town Hall Extension
George Street
Luton LU1 2BQ
Level of support
The teams support children with needs who require intensive help and are in need of specialist support. Children and young people will access specialist services following a statutory assessment.
Roles in the teams
There are 5 Family Safeguarding teams covering the borough. Each team is made up of the following roles:
- team manager
- deputy team manager
- administrator
- social worker
- senior practitioner
Key contacts
Carol Pennington - Head of Service
[email protected]
Dananai Jiri - Team Manager
[email protected]
Caroline Hutchins - Team Manager
[email protected]
Rose Johnson - Team Manager
[email protected]
Our vision
Putting children, young people and their families at the heart of everything we do.
Our role
The Children with Disabilities service offers a comprehensive service to children with significant learning disabilities, physical disabilities and life limiting health conditions. We do all facets of social work and can provide a comprehensive short break care package.
Location
Our team is based at:
- 2nd Floor Town Hall Extension
George Street
Luton LU1 2BQ
Level of support
The teams support children with needs who require intensive help and are in need of specialist support. Children and young people will access specialist services following a statutory assessment.
Roles in the MASH service
We have the benefit of staff from many disciplines working together, and with other agencies, to assess and intervene with families.
Disciplines within the service include:
- social workers
- London Road Resource Centre (our residential short breaks unit)
- Shared Care (short breaks service)
- children’s occupational therapy
Key contacts
All referrals to our service come in via our front door (MASH).
- Children with Disabilities team duty inbox - [email protected]
- Occupational Therapy team duty inbox - [email protected]
If you'd like to contact our service, please dial 01582 547465. You'll be redirected to the required service.
Our vision
Putting children, young people and their families at the heart of everything we do.
Our role
Acts as a single front door for children in need of support or protection where partners work together to assess needs and risks, so that proportionate and timely decisions are made in respect of the most appropriate service to meet the needs of children and families.
Location
All 5 teams are based at:
- 1st Floor Town Hall Extension
George Street
Luton LU1 2BQ
Level of support
The teams support children with needs who require intensive help and are in need of specialist support. Children and young people will access specialist services following a statutory assessment.
Roles in the MASH service
- Team manager
- Deputy team managers
- Administrators
- Social workers
- Senior practitioners
- Domestic abuse workers
- Triage officers
- Education liaison worker
Key contacts
Diane Rushby - Head of Service
[email protected]
All emails to the MASH are through one centralised inbox: [email protected].
All calls to the MASH are through one centralised number which are then filtered through to the correct professional: 01582 547653.
Our vision
Putting children, young people and their families at the heart of everything we do.
Our role
Working in partnership with other agencies across our criminal, social care and health partnerships, the aim of the Luton Youth Offending and Targeted Youth Service is to:
- prevent child criminal exploitation
- focus on the issues that see that children and young people disproportionately represented in the youth justice system
With a statutory aim to protect the public from harm and improve outcomes for victims of crime, we also give a voice to victims and encourage young people to provide reparation.
Location
Our team is based at:
- The Albany
4 Cardiff Road
Luton LU1 1PP
Roles in the service
Youth Offending serviceWe have the benefit of staff from many disciplines working together, and with other agencies, to assess and intervene with families.
Disciplines within the service include:
- youth justice officers
- probation officer
- education, training and employment specialists
- police
- restorative justice workers
- health workers specialising in:
- drugs and alcohol
- physical health
- mental health
- speech and language
- youth justice officers
- probation officer
- education, training and employment specialists
- police
- restorative justice workers
- health workers specialising in:
- drugs and alcohol
- physical health
- mental health
- speech and language
Key contacts
David Collins - Head of Service
[email protected]
Sam McKay – Operations Manager
[email protected]
Sam Berry - Operations Manager
[email protected]
Claire Dan – Operations Manager
[email protected]
Kim Murphy – Operations Manager
[email protected]
To speak to anyone in our service, please call 01582 547900 where you’ll then be transferred.
Our vision
Putting children, young people and their families at the heart of everything we do.
Our role
To assess, support and safeguard children at risk of harm through a multi-disciplinary approach that engages family members and key professionals at the earliest point.
Location
Our teams are based at:
- 1st Floor Town Hall Extension
George Street
Luton LU1 2BQ
Level of support
Our service supports children with complex needs who require intensive help and are in need of specialist support. Children, young people and their families will access specialist interventions following a statutory assessment.
Roles in the teams
There are 5 Family Safeguarding teams covering the borough. Each team is made up of the following roles:
- team manager
- deputy team manager
- senior practitioner
- administrator
- social worker
- homelessness officer
Key contacts
Daniel Toth - Head of Service
[email protected]
- Assessment team 1 – 01582 547573
- Assessment team 2 – 01582 547773
- Assessment team 3 – 01582 547154
- Assessment team 4 – 01582 547098
Our vision
Putting children, young people and their families at the heart of everything we do.
Our role
To achieve enhanced outcomes for LAC and care leavers through the delivery of a reshaped service, which incorporates the views of young people themselves.
Location
Our team is based at:
- Town Hall Extension
George Street
Luton LU1 2BQ
Level of support
The teams support children with needs who require intensive help and are in need of specialist support. Children and young people will access specialist services following a statutory assessment.
Roles in the Care Leavers team
- Team manager
- Deputy team managers
- Administrators
- Personal advisors
Roles in the 0 to 17 LAC teams
- Team managers
- Deputy team managers
- Administrators
- Social workers
- Senior practitioners
Key contacts
Care leaversLoretta Cook – [email protected]
LAC- LAC team 1 – Maryam Hussain – [email protected]
- LAC team 2 – Charmaine Morgan – [email protected]
Our vision
Putting children, young people and their families at the heart of everything we do.
Our role
To provide placements which meet the assessed needs of LAC and underpin the achievement of strong outcomes for each and every young person.
Assessing prospective adoptive parents, supporting children waiting to be adopted and matching children with families.
Location
Our team is based at:
- 3rd Floor Town Hall Extension
George Street
Luton LU1 2BQ
Roles in the teams
Adoption- Team manager
- Social workers
- Post adoption contact
- Supervisor
- Administrator
- Personal advisor
- Team manager
- Deputy team managers
- Social workers
- Senior practitioners
- Marketing officer
- Recruitment officer
- SGO support officer
- Administrators
Key contacts
Teresa Gallagher, Head of Service
Teresa [email protected]
Adoption team
[email protected]
01582 547 804
Fostering team
[email protected]
01582 547 804
Our vision
To create a learning organisational culture where Social Workers are encouraged and supported to reach their full potential, to develop their practice through collaborative working, to be respectful and put relationships at the heart of everything they do, to inspire excellence and feel proud about their achievements.
Our role
To support our newly qualified social workers through their ASYE (assessed and supported year in employment). The Social Work Academy has key roles to support you as a newly qualified social worker to ensure that you gain the experience, skills and knowledge to continue to grow and develop in your social work career.
Location
Our team is based at:
- 2nd Floor Town Hall Extension
George Street
Luton LU1 2BQ
Level of support
As an ASYE, you will be working in one of our teams across the service to support children with needs who require intensive help and are in need of specialist support.
Roles in the teams
- Head of Social Work Academy
- Senior Practitioners
- Practice Educator
Key contacts
Sancha Thomas - Head of Service
[email protected]
Denise Wynter - Head of Social Work Academy
[email protected]
Recruitment schedule
The academy will recruit at two periods throughout the year – January and September. Please look out on our website during these times for our ASYE applications.
In the interim, if you have any questions or wish to discuss our offer of the Social Work Academy in Luton, please contact Sancha Thomas or Denise Wynter.
Our practice model
Luton has adopted a strength based approach as its practice framework, which allows our social workers to practice using the 4 C's.
Conversations
To use conversations to build relationships with children and their families.
Curiosity
To practice with respectful curiosity to help us understand the lived experience of children and young people who need our help.
Courage
To practice with courage, not being afraid to fail and try new things supporting our children and families through change.
Considerate
Our practice will be considerate, respectful of diversity and difference, we will practice with care to ensure the best outcomes for our children and families.
Ready to join Team Luton?
Find a job in children's social care
Find a job in children's social care
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