At a Glance
- Tasks: Support Special Guardians and children in achieving permanence through compassionate, strength-based work.
- Company: Join a friendly and dynamic Kinship & Permanence team within a local authority.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous pension scheme, and access to a 24/7 counselling service.
- Other info: Be part of a creative team passionate about kinship care and enjoy excellent career development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with children, young people, and families in a supportive role is essential.
The predicted salary is between 23000 - 27000 £ per year.
Temporary - 2 years. Due to further expansion in the Kinship & Permanence team, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a Social Work Assistant to join our friendly and dynamic Permanence team. The role focuses on supporting Special Guardians to achieve and maintain permanence for children and young people in their care and supporting children and young people in understanding their permanence arrangement.
In this rewarding role, you will be committed to and able to evidence your experience and knowledge of working with Special Guardians/kinship carers, children/young people and their families in a strength-based and compassionate way. As a Social Work Assistant, you can expect to be working closely with all staff and Managers within the team, other Social Work teams and liaising with other professionals such as education, health and housing.
To ensure that we consistently meet the needs of our Special Guardians, the children in their care and their families, an important part of your role will be to undertake reviews of Special Guardianship Support Plans and financial assessments in line with regulatory requirements and local authority policy for which training will be provided. You will also be required to undertake direct work with children and young people including lifestory work, therapeutic and emotional support and provide therapeutic, emotional, practical support, advice, and guidance to Special Guardians as and when required.
You will be encouraged to contribute to the development of the service through communication and consultation with Special Guardians and the children and young people in their care on how they experience our service. Being part of a larger fostering service, you will also be encouraged to attend various children's and carers events that are held annually.
To support you in this exciting and rewarding role, you will receive a robust induction, high quality, regular supervision as well as professional encouragement to access training and development opportunities to support you in your role. Whilst we are a Signs of Safety Local Authority, previous training and experience of the model is not a requirement as we provide favourable training and a dedicated officer to support the teams to integrate the model into their everyday working arrangements.
We understand that social care workers undertake challenging, yet rewarding, duties every day and as a local authority we value the resilience and passion demonstrated on a regular basis by our teams. We operate a convenient flexible working and hybrid working model, allowing you to maximise your time in line with your personal priorities.
We are committed to promoting the health, safety, and wellbeing of our employees, and provide you access to a free Employee Assistance Programme which includes a confidential 24/7 counselling line and support specialists. As a valued member of staff, you will have access to a generous pension scheme and exclusive discounts and rewards. A monthly Health and Wellbeing newsletter with various initiatives and strategies to raise awareness and encourage a healthy workplace for you and your team.
The Kinship and Permanence Team is co-located with the General Fostering and Placements Team, Care Experienced Children and 15+ teams to enable effective collaborative working, based in the Civic Offices. We are a team of 16.5 staff comprising of Team manager, Deputy Team Manager, Senior Practitioner, Supervising Social Workers, Reunification Support Workers, a Social Work Assistant, as well as having dedicated Business Support staff. We are a forward thinking, creative, supportive, and friendly team who are passionate about kinship care; if you share our passion, we would love to hear from you and you can expect a warm welcome when you join us.
Protecting children, young people or adults at risk is a core responsibility of all council employees. An Enhanced Children and Adults Barred list criminal records check by the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) is a requirement for this post. The council's Hybrid Working Policy applies to this post. This provides a framework for establishing how you will undertake working hours between your home and the office.
Social Work Assistant (Temporary) - Kinship & Permanence Team in Wales employer: BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL
Bridgend County Borough Council is an excellent employer that values community impact and continuous improvement, making it a rewarding place to work for those in the Senior Projects & Performance Lead role. With a strong emphasis on employee development, a supportive work culture, and the opportunity to engage with diverse stakeholders, employees can thrive both personally and professionally in this hybrid position. The council's commitment to inclusivity and compliance ensures a meaningful work environment that prioritises the well-being of its staff and the community.
Contact Details:
BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Work Assistant (Temporary) - Kinship & Permanence Team in Wales
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Social Work Assistant (Temporary) - Kinship & Permanence Team in Wales
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Social Work Assistant (Temporary) - Kinship & Permanence Team role at BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
