At a Glance
- Tasks: Help people adapt their homes and support them in living independently.
- Company: Join Sheffield City Council's compassionate Disabled Facilities Grants team.
- Benefits: Generous holiday entitlement, flexible working options, and a supportive environment.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities and commitment to equality and diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working with diverse communities.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in Maths, English, and three other subjects; experience with vulnerable individuals preferred.
We are looking for a motivated and compassionate Prevention Officer to join our Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) team. You will play a vital role in helping people adapt their homes to meet their needs by administering and assessing grant applications. This is a front-line role working with individuals and families, supporting them to live safely, independently, and with dignity. You’ll work closely with social care workers, health professionals, and other partners to deliver positive outcomes for Sheffield residents.
Key Responsibilities
- Support people to apply for and access Disabled Facilities Grants in line with legislation and council policy.
- Assess applications and award grants fairly and accurately.
- Work directly with service users, developing plans and risk assessments to meet individual needs.
- Provide support in areas such as housing, welfare benefits, health, and independent living.
- Assist people through safeguarding, multi-agency, and criminal justice processes where required.
- Empower people to manage their homes, finances, and daily living activities more independently.
- Contribute to service meetings, supervision, and ongoing professional development.
About You
We are looking for someone who is:
- Experienced in working with vulnerable and/or disabled people.
- Organised, with strong time management and caseload management skills.
- Able to work effectively as part of a team and on your own initiative.
- Skilled in communication, with the ability to build trust and provide clear information.
- Familiar with IT systems and confident in using software packages.
- Ideally, experienced in social care or a similar setting.
Qualifications
Minimum of GCSEs (or equivalent) in Maths, English, and three other subjects.
We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly. It is a great time to join us and we welcome your application.
Under the Guaranteed Interview scheme, applicants who are disabled, care leavers, or armed forces veterans will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria and indicate their eligibility on the application form. Sometimes, if lots of people apply, we might not be able to interview everyone who qualifies for the Guarantee. In these cases, we’ll interview the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job.
Full-time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share.
If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade. Equality of pay is extremely important to us. All roles at Sheffield City Council are going through an evaluation process which may result in changes to some pay arrangements from 2026.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all individuals, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyone and where appropriate to the role the successful applicant will be required to undertake relevant safeguarding checks.
Prevention Officer in Sheffield employer: Beighton
Sheffield City Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its employees. As a Prevention Officer, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable individuals and families, while benefiting from flexible working arrangements, generous holiday entitlement, and a commitment to professional development. Join us in our mission to empower Sheffield residents to live independently and with dignity, all within a diverse and collaborative team culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Prevention Officer in Sheffield
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Beighton.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Beighton!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Beighton, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Beighton or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Prevention Officer in Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Beighton:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Beighton! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Beighton
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
