At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Out of Hours Team to provide emergency social work support.
- Company: Be part of the London Borough of Hillingdon, transforming children's social care.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, generous leave, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on families in crisis while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Must have a Social Work qualification and registration, with experience in children's social care.
- Other info: Shift-based role with a 20% enhancement for unsocial hours.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 Β£ per year.
Are you ready to take the next step in your social work career? This is an exciting opportunity to join our Specialist Out of Hours Team within the Stronger Families Hub, at a time of transformation in children's social care. We are evolving our approach to stay responsive and relevant in a changing landscape - and we want you to be part of it.
About the role
This is an exciting opportunity to join our Specialist Out of Hours Team within the Stronger Families Hub, at a time of transformation in children's social care. We are evolving our approach to stay responsive and relevant in a changing landscape - and we want you to be part of it.
Why Join Us?
- Make a Difference When It Matters Most: You'll provide an effective emergency response in a fast-paced, 24-hour service. No two shifts are the same - your impact will be immediate and meaningful.
- Grow and Develop: We'll support you in advancing your skills, building on your experience, and developing innovative ways of working.
- Safeguard and Support: Be at the frontline of safeguarding children and supporting families in crisis, while collaborating with MASH colleagues to respond to contacts in real time.
- Work Collaboratively: Expand your partnerships with agencies to ensure that every child receives the right intervention from the most appropriate professional or service - right from the first point of contact.
- Enjoy Flexibility and Support: Our shift rota offers flexibility, and our team environment is supportive, diverse, and focused on strength-based leadership and early intervention.
What We Offer:
- Flexible working schedule across a 365-day rota
- 20% enhancement for unsocial hours
- A generous annual leave entitlement
- A supportive and inclusive team environment
- Ongoing training, CPD, and development opportunities
What We're Looking For:
- A Social Work qualification
- Social Work England registration
- Ongoing commitment to professional development
- Previous experience in children's social care
- Solid knowledge of the Children's Act
- Strong teamwork skills and adaptability
- (Desirable) Previous experience in EDT or Out of Hours services
Schedule: Shift-based, including evenings, overnights, weekends, and bank holidays
Enhancement: 20% shift enhancement for unsocial hours
This is a challenging yet rewarding opportunity for a skilled and passionate social worker to make a real difference to families in times of need. Are you ready to take on the challenge and be part of something impactful? Apply today.
About You
We value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us. We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation. That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work-life balance, financial wellbeing, health, and professional development.
Here's a comprehensive overview of the fantastic benefits we provide:
- Flexible Working Hours β We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
- 36 Hour Week β Enjoy a standard 36-hour workweek for all full-time staff.
- Generous Holiday Entitlement β increasing with length of service (for non-casual roles).
- Hillingdon Sports & Leisure β Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
- Salary Sacrifice Schemes β option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
- Cycle to Work β Eco-friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
- Local Government Pension Scheme β access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
- Vivup Benefits β Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Vivup Benefits.
- Mental Health Support and Counselling Services β Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues. Access free 24-hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
- Travel Support β Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly. The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.
Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation's success.
Recruitment Information
Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme. We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a βper applicationβ basis.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject to the following pre-employment screening:
- Enhanced DBS Check
- Qualifications Check
- Professional Registration Check
- 5 years of Referencing
Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.
It may be necessary due to a high volume of applications to close this role early. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Senior Social Worker Out of Hours p/t employer: London Borough of Hillingdon
Contact Detail:
London Borough of Hillingdon Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Worker Out of Hours p/t
β¨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest developments in children's social care, especially those relevant to out-of-hours services. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying updated in a rapidly changing field.
β¨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of the London Borough of Hillingdon. They can provide valuable insights into the team culture and expectations, which can be beneficial when tailoring your approach during the application process.
β¨Tip Number 3
Prepare for situational interview questions by reflecting on your past experiences in emergency response scenarios. Think about specific cases where you made a significant impact, as these examples will showcase your skills effectively.
β¨Tip Number 4
Highlight your teamwork and adaptability skills during any discussions or interviews. Given the collaborative nature of the role, providing examples of how you've successfully worked with diverse teams will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Social Worker Out of Hours p/t
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in children's social care and emergency response. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills and adaptability in fast-paced environments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for social work and your commitment to safeguarding children. Mention how your values align with the London Borough of Hillingdon's mission and how you can contribute to their evolving approach.
Highlight Professional Development: In your application, emphasise your ongoing commitment to professional development. Include any relevant training or certifications that showcase your dedication to improving your skills in social work.
Showcase Teamwork Skills: Since the role involves collaboration with various agencies, provide examples of past experiences where you successfully worked as part of a team. Highlight your ability to adapt and communicate effectively in diverse settings.
How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough of Hillingdon
β¨Showcase Your Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in children's social care. Highlight specific cases where you made a significant impact, especially in emergency situations, as this role requires quick thinking and effective decision-making.
β¨Understand the Role's Challenges
Familiarise yourself with the unique challenges of working in an Out of Hours team. Be ready to discuss how you would handle high-pressure situations and your approach to safeguarding children and supporting families in crisis.
β¨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills
This position emphasises collaboration with various agencies. Prepare examples that illustrate your ability to work effectively within a team, showcasing your adaptability and communication skills in multi-agency settings.
β¨Express Commitment to Professional Development
The role requires ongoing professional development. Share your plans for further training or areas you wish to improve upon, demonstrating your commitment to staying current in social work practices and legislation.