At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct impactful parenting assessments and support children’s wellbeing through collaborative work.
- Company: Join Bracknell Forest Council's Family Safeguarding Team, dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days annual leave, hybrid working, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive environment with staff networks and a supportive community.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Must be a registered Social Worker with at least three years of relevant experience.
The predicted salary is between 49918 - 53048 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced and skilled Senior Social Worker to join our Family Safeguarding Team as a Parenting Assessor. This non‑case‑holding role offers a meaningful opportunity to make a real impact on children’s lives through focused, specialist assessment work. Based at Time Square, Bracknell, you will be required on site at least three days per week with flexibility for home and community work.
Responsibilities
- Complete in‑depth, analytical parenting assessments (including pre‑birth) with a focus on parental capacity and potential for change, producing high‑quality reports with clear recommendations within stipulated timescales.
- Carry out additional assessments such as risk assessments or ‘Together and Apart’ assessments when required.
- Promote listening to children at every opportunity, ensuring their views are heard, recorded and acted upon promptly.
- Coordinate multi‑agency contributions to assessment, planning and intervention, working within the multidisciplinary Family Safeguarding Model to drive change and provide effective support.
- Attend Permanency Planning meetings and contribute to care planning for children.
- Participate in reflective supervision, presenting analytical assessment findings and recommendations in monthly group case supervisions alongside allocated social workers and partners.
- Support and mentor less experienced colleagues, including newly qualified Social Workers, Family Workers and Social Work Students.
Qualifications
- Registered with Social Work England.
- At least three years post‑qualifying experience in Children’s Social Care, including significant experience in child protection, care planning and legal processes.
- Experience in completing detailed, analytical assessments and preparing court‑ready reports.
Benefits
- 28 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 3 years of continuous service, with options to buy up to 10 days and sell up to 5 days.
- Hybrid working opportunities supporting wellbeing and work‑life balance.
- Paid employee volunteering scheme.
- Local government pension scheme with life insurance cover.
- Reimbursement of one annual professional subscription/registration.
- Reimbursement of Social Work England registration.
- Career development through internal and external training opportunities.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave.
- Employee assistance programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing.
- Inclusive social‑working environment with staff networks and a sports and social club.
Salary and Working Pattern
Annual salary £49,918–£53,048, inclusive of London Weighting and essential car‑user allowance, with a 4% annual retention payment payable after one year’s service. This role is full time (37 hours per week) and offers flexible hours with a hybrid working pattern.
Equal Opportunities
Bracknell Forest Council is an equal‑opportunity employer, welcoming applications from all sections of the community. Only UK Residents Applicants must currently reside in the United Kingdom.
Senior Social Worker - Parenting Assessor (£49,918–£53,048 plus 4% Retention Payment after 1 year) in Bracknell employer: Bracknell Forest Council
Contact Detail:
Bracknell Forest Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Worker - Parenting Assessor (£49,918–£53,048 plus 4% Retention Payment after 1 year) in Bracknell
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, attend local events, and join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios specific to parenting assessments. We recommend role-playing with a friend or colleague to build confidence and refine your responses.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring along examples of your previous assessments or reports to demonstrate your analytical skills during interviews. This will help you stand out as a candidate who knows their stuff.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Social Worker - Parenting Assessor (£49,918–£53,048 plus 4% Retention Payment after 1 year) in Bracknell
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in children's social care, especially in parenting assessments. We want to see how your skills align with the role of a Parenting Assessor!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role involves in-depth assessments, be sure to provide examples of your analytical work. We love seeing how you've tackled complex cases and produced high-quality reports in the past.
Highlight Teamwork and Mentoring: This position is all about collaboration! Share your experiences working within multidisciplinary teams and any mentoring roles you've taken on. We value those who can support and uplift their colleagues.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get you into the process smoothly. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bracknell Forest Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of child protection, care planning, and legal processes. Be ready to discuss your experience in detail, especially any analytical assessments you've completed. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but have practical insights to share.
✨Showcase Your Reports
Prepare to talk about the high-quality reports you've produced in the past. Bring examples if possible, and be ready to explain how your recommendations have driven change. This is a great way to demonstrate your analytical skills and your ability to make a real impact.
✨Engage with Multi-Agency Work
Highlight your experience in coordinating with other agencies. Discuss specific instances where you’ve worked within a multidisciplinary team to achieve positive outcomes. This shows that you understand the importance of collaboration in social work.
✨Reflective Practice Matters
Be prepared to discuss your approach to reflective supervision. Share how you present your findings and recommendations in group settings, and how you support and mentor less experienced colleagues. This will illustrate your leadership qualities and commitment to professional development.