At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Children In Care Team to support vulnerable children and families in Bath.
- Company: Bath & North East Somerset Council is dedicated to improving lives through innovative social care.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, extensive training, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the community while developing your skills in a rewarding role.
- Qualifications: You need a relevant social work qualification and a passion for helping vulnerable families.
- Other info: Relocation payments available; strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve people's lives. Bath and North East Somerset Children’s Social Care are an innovative small Local Authority focused on therapeutic assessment and support. Rated Good by OFSTED, with continued vision and drive to improve further.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a qualified Social Worker to join our Children In Care Team, within the Care Outcomes Service. We are committed to being a dynamic and creative Local Authority, working hard to think differently about how we approach our work with children and families. We are deeply committed to providing tailored high-quality services and well thought out interventions to families to keep children safe. Our practice is values-driven with a strong ethos of child-focussed interventions.
About the role:
You will work in partnership with an enthusiastic team consisting of a Team Manager, Deputy Team Managers, Senior Social Work Practitioners, qualified professional Social Workers, Family Support Practitioners and Administrative staff. This rewarding role will see you responding to, co-ordinating and delivering a range of social care services to children, young people and families in the Bath and North East Somerset area for children who are looked after and children who have a plan of adoption. We work closely with our colleagues across the service and have established partnerships with agencies across health, education and support services to ensure we can respond as effectively as possible to the needs of children, young people, and their families.
The post holder will manage their own caseload, which will include children and families with complex needs. You will be able to evidence a strong ability to analyse information and formulate outcome focused plans for children and young people. Applicants must be confident in writing professional assessments/reports as well as presenting their evidence verbally. Applicants need to have very strong organisational skills to manage and prioritise their work effectively and in a timely way and will be committed to working as part of a team to support colleagues in delivering optimum services to children and families.
We are seeking applications from workers who have relevant experience and a specific interest in this area of work and are looking to enhance and further develop their skills and contribute to service development for vulnerable children.
You can expect:
- A comprehensive induction
- Managed caseload
- Regular supervision – at a minimum of monthly one to one
- Reflective supervision to promote thoughtful and creative practice, supported by your peers and managers
- Monthly Peer Circles to ensure strong relationships and support between Social Workers across the teams, and opportunities to share good practice
- Extensive training opportunities, which include SARI workshops around culturally sensitive practice, opportunities to join a 6-month long training in Systemic Practice delivered by the Centre for Systemic Social Work, attachment-based workshops, and trauma-informed workshops
- Excellent administrative support with 2 admin staff supporting the team
- Tri-annual Social Work Conferences with guest speakers who are experts in the field
- Strong ASYE programme, with peer group meetings, regular workshops and training, and a protected caseload
- Paid Social Work England renewal membership
- Access to Research in Practice
- Laptop and iPhone to promote flexible working, to enhance your work-life balance
- Relocation Payments are available
- A stable leadership team
- A stable and committed team, with low rates of agency workers, and low vacancy rates
- Good practice to be recognised and celebrated through a quarterly newsletter
To apply you will have:
- A relevant social work qualification
- Knowledge of the legislative framework and legal proceedings that governs children’s services
- Knowledge of theory and practice applicable to social work
- IT skills to enable operation of standard electronic systems
- Passion, commitment, and motivation to support the most vulnerable families in our area
- Ideally you will have experience of safeguarding children, and/or working with children in care
If you are interested in this post and require more details or just to chat through the role and what’s involved, please contact Jo Parker, Team Manager on 01225 396957 or email joanna_parker@bathnes.gov.uk
Interview date: TBC
No agencies please.
About Bath & North East Somerset Council. Working at Bath & North East Somerset provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.
Why Bath & North East Somerset Council? We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need.
We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us. The Council is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.
Please note that this role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check. Safeguarding Statement: The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
Social Worker - Children In Care employer: Bath & North East Somerset Council
Contact Detail:
Bath & North East Somerset Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker - Children In Care
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific values and ethos of Bath & North East Somerset Council. Understanding their commitment to child-focused interventions will help you align your responses during interviews and demonstrate that you share their vision.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees in the Children In Care Team. They can provide insights into the team dynamics and expectations, which can be invaluable when preparing for your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on current legislation and best practices in social work, particularly those related to children in care. This knowledge will not only boost your confidence but also show your commitment to professional development.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss specific case studies or experiences where you've successfully managed complex needs in children and families. Being able to articulate these examples will highlight your practical skills and suitability for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker - Children In Care
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and requirements of the Social Worker position. Highlight key skills such as professional assessment writing, organisational skills, and teamwork in your application.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect your relevant experience in social work, particularly with children in care. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage complex cases and your commitment to child-focused interventions.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for supporting vulnerable families. Mention your understanding of the legislative framework and your motivation to contribute to service development within the local authority.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Ensure you clearly state your social work qualifications and any additional training or workshops you have completed. This could include trauma-informed practice or systemic practice training, which are particularly relevant to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bath & North East Somerset Council
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the job description and the specific responsibilities of a Social Worker in the Children In Care Team. Familiarise yourself with the key aspects of the role, such as managing caseloads and working collaboratively with other professionals.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be prepared to discuss your relevant experience in safeguarding children and working with vulnerable families. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate your skills in assessment, report writing, and formulating outcome-focused plans.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration
Highlight your ability to work effectively within a team. Discuss how you have collaborated with colleagues and external agencies in previous roles to provide comprehensive support to children and families, showcasing your commitment to a child-focussed approach.
✨Prepare Questions for the Interviewers
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers about the team dynamics, training opportunities, and the council's approach to social work. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the organisation aligns with your values and career goals.