At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families through assessments and tailored interventions.
- Company: Join Cardiff, a UNICEF Child Friendly City focused on children's rights and community support.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous annual leave, and a £5,000 market supplement from April 2025.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive team with opportunities for growth and impactful work in diverse communities.
- Qualifications: Final year social work students or recent graduates with strong communication and organisational skills.
- Other info: Face-to-face interviews in Cardiff; no CVs accepted.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Sorry, applications for this job are no longer possible
About The Service
Social Work Students in your final year of University?
Immediately secure a permanent Social Worker position
ready for when you qualify next year.
Competitive Salary & Market Supplement
UNICEF Child Friendly City
\’Think Family’ approach
Generous annual leave
Join us as a Social Work Assistant after you have finished your final placement whilst you wait for your qualification to come through, why wait, apply now!
About the Service
- We have developed an innovative program which will provide you with a mentor (outside of your team of work) who will support you to identify, develop and meet your ongoing training needs and ensure that you are ready to progress to the next step- which is the university-based consolidation course.
- Cardiff is the only local authority in South Wales to provide independent practice assessors to assist your progression through this, and to ensure that you receive the support you need to successfully complete this stage of your social work career.
- We have a comprehensive training program which will allow you to access all of the mandatory training along with regular support groups to ensure you have contact with other newly qualified workers!
- Cardiff offers the opportunity to grow and develop through high quality training, regular and effective supervision, and a wide variety of opportunities to pursue career development, for example just this year we have 10 internal employee’s progress to a higher positions within our Social Work teams.
- Cardiff benefits from being the capital of Wales and is a growing city with a diverse population. The children of Cardiff need social workers who can respond to the diversity of needs and experiences which in turn offers social workers the opportunity to develop expertise and to lead practice within Wales. Cardiff is also the first city in the UK to be declared as a UNICEF Child Friendly City that places the rights of children and young people at the head of our policies and strategies.
About the job
About our approach to Social Work
We have redesigned our services to follow the child’s journey and created locality teams that enable workers to link closely with communities and local services. There is a healthy culture of learning, support and family across our amazing social work teams.
The teams work from a strengths-based (Signs of Safety) approach to meet the needs of young people and their families. We have a diverse variety of casework, individual, dedicated and regular senior management support alongside progression opportunities for the successful candidates.
It is our belief that outcomes for children are best when they are supported to grow and achieve within their own families. This belief has driven the ‘Think Family’ approach which looks at the family as a whole and co-ordinates support across the public services, tailored to each family’s needs and strengths.
This post requires
- Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced checks.
- Registration with Social Care Wales
- Full valid driving licence and full use of a car.
- You will be able to show you have excellent skills in assessment and the ability to write concise records and reports.
You will be a good team player, have excellent communication, organisation skills and IT skills.
Benefits offered
Cardiff is frequently found at the top of lists of best cities in the UK to live in so come join us and see what we can offer.
- A generous annual leave entitlement starting at 28 days per year to a maximum of 33 days per year after 5 years, with the option to purchase additional annual leave to a maximum of 10 days.
- Our working culture is flexible, with a flexi scheme allowing you to work to a schedule that suits you
- Hybrid working – supporting you to flexibly deliver your role whether on visits, from an office or your home
With effect from 1st April 2025, these roles attract a market supplement of £5,000 (full time equivalent). (£40,235 – £44,513). This payment is reviewed on a 12 monthly basis.
This is just some of what Cardiff has to offer, take a look at our Social Work website for more information about all our benefits and hear from some of our social workers, talking about why Cardiff is the place to be.
- Social Work Students in their final year of University.
- Recent Social Work Graduates
We can offer permanent positions in the following teams:
Locality – Cardiff Safeguarding and Children looked after teams are now based in 3 localities across the city at St Mellons in the East, Fairwater in the North and Cardiff Bay in the South enabling staff to be based within the communities that they serve.
Within the team\’s geographical area, you will support children and young people through robust assessment, outcome focused planning and effective intervention to support them in achieving positive outcomes within their families and communities.
Working within a restorative practice approach, you will work in partnership with families and multi-agency colleagues in intervening to address both the presenting concerns and underlying difficulties.
Child Health and Disability – We are an innovative and creative team from a variety of backgrounds including education, adult mental health, therapeutic, fostering and residential services.
We work together with children, young people and their families in conjunction with a range of professionals to create outcome focussed SMART plans that are child-centred.
We support children and young people who have complex needs associated with their disability throughout the span of their childhood. We work closely with adult services colleagues to ensure a smooth and seamless transition to adulthood. We are responsible for children and young people who receive care and support, care and protection and children who are looked after.
You will be given the opportunity to work with children who have a variety of needs and supported to develop specialist areas of interest. You will be provided with regular supervision, peer supervision, practice development opportunities and a range of training options. As a new member of the team you will be paired with an experienced buddy and have a comprehensive induction.
When applying, please specify if there is a specific team you are interested in joining.
All Interviews for this position will be held face to face in Cardiff, we no longer offer online interviews. If you are unable to attend an interview in person, please contact us before submitting your application to discuss this further.
If you are interested in any of our roles, would like an informal discussion with one of our manager’s or have any other questions please don’t hesitate to contact: Laura.White3@cardiff.gov.uk
Please refer to job description and person specification when applying for the above posts.
Additional information
With effect from the 1st April 2025 this post attracts a market supplement of £5000 per annum full time equivalent.
This payment is reviewed on a 12 monthly basis.
This post has a requirement for registration with Social Care Wales.
This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced check.
Safeguarding and Child Protection are key priorities for the Council. We aim to support children and vulnerable adults to ensure they are as safe as they can possibly be. Our services and schools are committed to ensuring the safety and protection of all children and vulnerable adults, and will take action to safeguard their well-being, and acknowledge that children and vulnerable adults have a right to protection. This is supported in the general ethos of the Council and all schools.
This vacancy is suitable for post share.
We welcome applications in both English and Welsh. Applications received in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than English applications.
If you would like an informal conversation about this role prior to application, please contact Laura.white3@cardiff.gov.uk for a discussion.
We understand you might use AI and other resources for your application; however, please ensure all information you provide is factually accurate, truthful, original and does not include ideas or work that is not your own.
All Interviews for this position will be held face to face in Cardiff, we no longer offer online interviews. If you are unable to attend an interview in person, please contact us before submitting your application.
Please note the Council does not accept CV’s. When completing the supporting information section of your application, please ensure you refer to the below located on our website :
Important information you need read in order to complete your application:-
Job Category Social Services – Childrens
Working Pattern/Contract Type Full Time Permanent
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SOCIAL WORKER Localities - Child Health and Disability employer: Cyngor Caerdydd/Cardiff Council
Contact Detail:
Cyngor Caerdydd/Cardiff Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land SOCIAL WORKER Localities - Child Health and Disability
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the 'Think Family' approach and the strengths-based (Signs of Safety) methodology used by Cardiff's social work teams. Understanding these frameworks will help you demonstrate your alignment with their values during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the specific locality teams within Cardiff, such as those focused on safeguarding and children looked after. Being able to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities in these areas will show your genuine interest and preparedness for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experiences working with diverse populations and how you can contribute to Cardiff being a UNICEF Child Friendly City. Highlight any relevant volunteer work or placements that showcase your commitment to child welfare.
✨Tip Number 4
Since interviews are face-to-face, practice your communication skills and prepare to articulate your thoughts clearly. Consider conducting mock interviews with friends or mentors to build confidence and ensure you present yourself well.
We think you need these skills to ace SOCIAL WORKER Localities - Child Health and Disability
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Job Requirements: Carefully read the job description and person specification. Highlight the key skills and experiences required, such as assessment skills and teamwork abilities, to ensure you address these in your application.
Tailor Your Supporting Information: When completing the supporting information section, make sure to specifically relate your experiences and skills to the requirements outlined in the job description. Use examples that demonstrate your ability to work with children and families.
Showcase Your Passion for Social Work: Express your enthusiasm for working in social services, particularly within child health and disability. Share any relevant experiences or motivations that led you to pursue a career in this field.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, thoroughly proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in social work.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cyngor Caerdydd/Cardiff Council
✨Understand the 'Think Family' Approach
Familiarise yourself with the 'Think Family' approach that Cardiff employs. Be prepared to discuss how you can support families as a whole, rather than just focusing on individual children. This will show your alignment with their values and your understanding of holistic social work.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Social Worker, excellent communication is key. During the interview, demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively by providing clear and concise answers. Use examples from your experience to illustrate how you've successfully communicated with families and multi-agency colleagues.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Experience
Cardiff values collaboration within its social work teams. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've worked as part of a team in previous roles or placements. Emphasise your ability to contribute positively to a team environment and support your colleagues.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Think about potential challenges you might face in the role and how you would address them. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process during the interview.