At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in need by handling calls and processing information requests.
- Company: Birmingham Children’s Trust, dedicated to improving children's lives.
- Benefits: Generous leave, pension scheme, flexible working, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Join a supportive team committed to safeguarding and empowering young people.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children every day.
- Qualifications: Experience in social care and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 24750 - 30250 £ per year.
The Children’s Advice and Support Service (CASS) is the ‘front door’ for reporting concerns about children who need support and child protection. It is also a streamlined pathway for families who require Early Help support. CASS is recruiting a Referral and Advice Officer (RAO) to support this fast-paced front door service which receives 250 calls and 500 emails daily. This role is varied as RAOs staff the telephone service, process information requests and support the Social Work and Early Help functions within CASS. We have been rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted, following a 2023 inspection.
This is a hybrid role based in Birmingham so you must have the correct right-to-work documents to work in the UK. Sadly, we do not support those who require sponsorship.
About you:
- Experience of working in children’s social care, Family support / Early Help is required and handling information and accurate data input.
- Strong attention to detail, as you will be required to maintain sensitive records, ensuring these are kept up to date on our systems and databases.
- Demonstrate strong communication skills, both verbal and written, as you'll be required to engage with a diverse range of stakeholders and customers.
- Solid customer service skills, showing a Gold-Standard service to our customers.
- Must have knowledge or an understanding of relevant Safeguarding and Early Help frameworks/procedures and how these protect and support families.
Onboarding Process
Please note as part of our onboarding process, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a series of background checks with Experian including Experian Right to Work, and Digital ID verification. These are essential pre-employment requirements.
Our Benefits
- A generous annual leave package of 30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 5 years of service and 35 days after 10 years of service.
- Free on-site parking at our offices on One Avenue Road (Aston) and Lifford House (Stirchley).
- Onsite electric car charging ports which are free to use!
- Full access to our amazing internal employee benefits scheme including Occupational Health services, Rewards Schemes, Benefits discounts (including the Blue Light Card), Health & Fitness and Personal Wellbeing support and much more!
- Flexible and hybrid working policy - we are well adapted to a hybrid model of working which includes a combination of time spent in the office and at home and we offer a variety of working patterns.
- Pension Scheme - You will receive a generous local government career average pension scheme in line with the local government pension scheme.
Help us to change children and young people’s lives!
At Birmingham Children’s Trust, we are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of over 10,000 children and young people in our city every day. Our mission is to support the most disadvantaged children and young people in Birmingham, ensuring they are safe, happy, and healthy.
Why Join Us?
- Impactful Work - be part of a team that makes a real difference in the lives of the city’s most vulnerable children.
- Supportive Environment - enjoy a supportive and collaborative work culture where your contributions are valued.
- Career Development - benefit from tailored development programs, supportive supervision, and a range of learning opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career.
- Generous Benefits - take advantage of our competitive reward package including generous leave allowance, Local Government pension scheme, and additional benefits.
Our Values
We approach our work with care and compassion, actively listening to the needs of the children and young people we serve. We involve them in the decisions that affect their lives, ensuring their voices are heard and respected. We are committed to using our resources wisely, ensuring that every penny is spent where it counts the most. We foster collaboration among schools, health professionals, and the police, working together to create a supportive network for our young people. We believe that when we work as one cohesive team, the children and young people of Birmingham are more likely to thrive. Our unified approach ensures that we provide the best possible support and opportunities for their growth and development. Join us and together, we can create a brighter future for all.
Safeguarding
At Birmingham Children’s Trust, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Depending on the role, you may be asked to undergo the appropriate level of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to assess your suitability for working with children and young people. The level of check (Standard, Enhanced, or Enhanced with Barred List) is determined based on the specific responsibilities of the role and the level of contact with children and young people. We are committed to the fair treatment of all applicants, including those with criminal records. Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar an individual from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of the offence.
Referral and Advice Officer in Birmingham employer: Birmingham Children's Trust
Birmingham Children’s Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises the development of its employees. With a strong focus on leadership growth, you will have access to tailored training programmes and mentorship opportunities that empower you to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families. The hybrid working model allows for flexibility while being part of a passionate team committed to improving outcomes in the Birmingham community.
Contact Details:
Birmingham Children's Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Referral and Advice Officer in Birmingham
✨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 Birmingham Children's Trust.
✨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 Birmingham Children's Trust!
✨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 Birmingham Children's Trust, 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 Birmingham Children's Trust 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 Referral and Advice Officer in Birmingham
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 Birmingham Children's Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Birmingham Children's Trust! 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 Birmingham Children's Trust
✨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.
