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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families in making positive changes and work collaboratively with specialists.
- Company: Join a 'Good' rated council dedicated to improving children's lives in West Berkshire.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, and generous leave plus bonuses for long service.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on families while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Must have a recognised Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
- Other info: Access high-quality supervision and a wellbeing service to support your career journey.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Our Family Safeguarding teams are dedicated to improving the outcomes of Children and Families within West Berkshire. If you are passionate about supporting families to make sustained change and share our drive to keep more children safely at home with their families then this could be the role for you.
We have exciting opportunities for Social Workers to join our East and West Family Safeguarding Teams. We are Ofsted rated 'Good' and aspire to work towards an 'Outstanding' rating with Ofsted stating that West Berkshire Council has "A strong, stable and child-focused leadership team that has continued to improve services for children and families in West Berkshire". Come and join us to be part of our journey of further improvement and dedication to the children of West Berkshire.
The role
Utilising the Family Safeguarding Model you will work in collaboration with other specialist workers including Domestic Abuse Practitioners, Recovery Workers and Mental Health Practitioners to offer group based interventions to families. Adopting a strengths based approach and applying motivational interviewing techniques you will work with our families to identify what changes need to be made in their daily life and support them to achieve these. You will have the opportunity to work directly with children to understand what’s important to them. Your work will take a holistic view of the individual across both their immediate and extended social circles, having full regard to their overall development needs. You will access high quality reflective supervision within a multi-disciplinary forum to strengthen information sharing and decision making.
The ideal candidate would have the following skills and attributes
- You will hold a recognised Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
- You will hold a current driving licence and have use of a car.
- You will need good organisational and planning skills.
- You will have experience of managing levels of risk within a caseload of complex cases.
- You will be able to demonstrate knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations, guidance and policies.
- You will have excellent stakeholder management skills, being able to build effective relationships with colleagues, individuals and external organisations.
- You will have effective skills in managing conflict and disagreement.
Our offer to you
- A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
- A golden hello payment of £3k after one year in post
- A retention payment of £2k after two years of service
- A further retention payment of £3k, plus a four week paid sabbatical after three years’ service
- Flexible Working: West Berkshire has adopted a Hybrid Working Policy, which allows employees to split their time between attending the workplace and working remotely
- Social Work England registration fees reimbursed
- Dedicated employee wellbeing service with Employee Assistance Programme offering a great range of discounts at a variety of retailers, services and everyday spending
- Regular and high quality reflective supervision.
- Approachable and visible senior leadership
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Generous annual leave allowance, plus an additional 5 days leave after 5 years continuous local authority service
- Relocation package for individuals moving from outside a 30 mile radius (subject to eligibility)
- Blue Light card fees reimbursed
- We use the PeopleSafe App, a reliable tool offering real-time monitoring, emergency assistance, and peace of mind when lone working.
Contact Detail:
Frontier Consulting Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker Family Safeguarding
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Family Safeguarding Model. Understanding this approach will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role and its objectives.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of West Berkshire Council. They can provide valuable insights into the work culture and expectations, which can be beneficial during your discussions with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you've successfully managed complex cases or worked collaboratively with other professionals. This will showcase your skills and fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on relevant legislation and policies related to social work. Being knowledgeable about current practices will help you engage in meaningful conversations during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker Family Safeguarding
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and expectations of a Social Worker in Family Safeguarding. Highlight key aspects such as collaboration with other professionals and the strengths-based approach.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect your relevant experience and skills that align with the job requirements. Emphasise your social work qualifications, experience with complex cases, and stakeholder management abilities.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for supporting families and improving outcomes for children. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you embody the values and skills mentioned in the job description.
Highlight Relevant Legislation Knowledge: In your application, mention your understanding of relevant legislation, regulations, and policies related to social work. This will show your preparedness for the role and your commitment to professional standards.
How to prepare for a job interview at Frontier Consulting
✨Understand the Family Safeguarding Model
Familiarise yourself with the Family Safeguarding Model and its principles. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply this model in your work, particularly in collaboration with other specialists like Domestic Abuse Practitioners and Mental Health Practitioners.
✨Showcase Your Strengths-Based Approach
Highlight your experience in using a strengths-based approach during the interview. Provide examples of how you've successfully motivated families to make positive changes in their lives, demonstrating your ability to empower rather than dictate.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Management Skills
Prepare to discuss your experience in building effective relationships with various stakeholders. Share specific instances where you managed conflicts or disagreements, showcasing your communication and negotiation skills.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your ability to manage complex cases and risk levels. Think through potential situations you might face in the role and how you would approach them, ensuring you convey your critical thinking and decision-making abilities.
