At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with children and families to create meaningful assessments and plans.
- Company: Join Hampshire County Council, an Outstanding-rated local authority by Ofsted.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 9-day working fortnight, 25+ days annual leave, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team making a real impact in children's lives.
- Qualifications: Must be registered with Social Work England and skilled in relationship building.
- Other info: Relocation assistance up to £8,500 available for experienced social workers.
Practice in an Outstanding Children’s Service and trailblaze new ways of working
As a Children’s Social Workerwithin Hampshire County Council, you will be practicing in one of just a few local authorities in the country rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
Registered with Social Work England, you will be highly skilled at building meaningful relationships with children and families to engage them in assessments and plans. You will be creative, flexible and forward thinking in your approach, whilst constantly striving for continuous improvement to provide the best outcomes for children.
Our Social Workers are an asset to us, and we encourage our workforce to be creative and autonomous, while enabling them to work flexibly. We are committed to providing regular, reflective and effective supervision to support you, while ensuring you also have the working conditions you need for good practice to flourish.
As part of our work as a Department for Education ‘Partner in Practice’, you will be provided excellent development opportunities. Our children’s social workers are offered the unique opportunity to lead by example, working alongside other local authorities and partners to update and enhance social work practice across the country.
The Department for Education’s most recent reporton its ‘Children’s Social Care Innovation Programme’ acknowledges the success of the ‘Hampshire Approach’.
Why Hampshire?
We will provide you with:
- 9 day working fortnight.
- Annual leave starting from 25 days per annum and rising to 28 days based on experience and length of service.
- Personal Assistant, who will provide crucial back office support to free up your time to focus on professional practice.
- Personal laptop, so you can work more effectively and flexibly.
- 5 personal development days per annum.
- Ample progression opportunities.
- Flexible working options to fit around today’s lifestyles.
- Assistance with relocation by offering up to £8,500 for experienced social workers wanting to move to Hampshire (subject to management approval).
In addition to working for one of the top performing children’s social care authorities in the country, Hampshire is also one of the best places to live and work.
Located on the south coast, with excellent transport links up and down the country, Hampshire offers the perfect blend of rural and city living. You’ll find miles of lovely coastline, nature reserves and heritage sites, which are just some of the benefits of living in Hampshire.
Qualified Social Worker (Children's Services) employer: Hampshire County Council
Contact Detail:
Hampshire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Qualified Social Worker (Children's Services)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the 'Hampshire Approach' and the Department for Education's 'Children's Social Care Innovation Programme'. Understanding these frameworks will help you align your values and practices with those of Hampshire County Council, showcasing your commitment to innovative social work.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your experience in building meaningful relationships with children and families. Prepare specific examples that demonstrate your creativity and flexibility in engaging clients, as this is a key aspect of the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the local community in Hampshire. Being knowledgeable about the area and its resources can help you discuss how you would effectively support families and children in that specific context during your interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Be prepared to discuss your approach to continuous improvement in social work practice. Think about how you can contribute to the ongoing development of services and share any relevant experiences that demonstrate your proactive mindset.
We think you need these skills to ace Qualified Social Worker (Children's Services)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take the time to thoroughly read the job description for the Qualified Social Worker position. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills, especially the emphasis on building relationships with children and families.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight your relevant experience in children's services. Provide specific examples of how you've engaged with children and families, and any creative approaches you've used in your practice.
Showcase Your Skills: Demonstrate your skills in flexibility, creativity, and continuous improvement in your application. Use concrete examples to illustrate how you have adapted your practice to meet the needs of children and families.
Tailor Your Application: Customize your application to reflect the values and goals of Hampshire County Council. Mention your commitment to professional development and how you can contribute to the 'Hampshire Approach' and the overall success of the children's social care authority.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hampshire County Council
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
As a Children's Social Worker, your ability to build meaningful relationships is crucial. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully engaged with children and families, highlighting your approach and the outcomes achieved.
✨Demonstrate Creativity and Flexibility
The role requires a creative and flexible mindset. Think of instances where you adapted your strategies to meet the unique needs of children and families. Be ready to discuss how you can bring innovative ideas to the team.
✨Emphasize Continuous Improvement
Hampshire County Council values continuous improvement. Be prepared to talk about how you seek feedback, reflect on your practice, and implement changes to enhance your work. This shows your commitment to providing the best outcomes for children.
✨Understand the Hampshire Approach
Familiarize yourself with the 'Hampshire Approach' and the Department for Education's initiatives. Discuss how you can contribute to and benefit from these programs, demonstrating your alignment with their goals and your eagerness to lead by example.