At a Glance
- Tasks: Support disabled children and families, managing caseloads and promoting positive outcomes.
- Company: Bristol City Council, committed to diversity and community support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension scheme, and tailored career development.
- Other info: Join a supportive team focused on reflective practice and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of disabled children and their families.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with two years' experience and a passion for inclusive practice.
The predicted salary is between 42839 - 46142 ÂŁ per year.
Permanent, full‑time, 37 hours per week. Qualified social worker with at least two years post‑qualifying experience, experience working with disabled children, young people and their families, and a passion for improving outcomes and championing rights. A full‑time permanent Social Worker will join the Review and Reassessment Short Break Team within the Disabled Children Service.
About the Service
The Disabled Children Service supports children and young people aged 0–18 with a wide range of disabilities. Our practice is child‑centred and strengths‑based, recognising each child as an individual with their own voice, rights, and aspirations. Our Short Breaks Service benefits from consistent wrap‑around support from experienced managers committed to staff development and wellbeing. We work collaboratively with families and partner agencies to deliver high‑quality Child in Need plans for children accessing overnight short breaks, promoting inclusion, safety and positive outcomes. Our office in Hotwells provides a dedicated, accessible workspace; as an office‑based team, we value the connection, stability and collaborative culture this brings, enabling reflective practice, strong team relationships and day‑to‑day peer support.
The Role
Experienced social worker to manage a caseload of children and young people with varied disabilities and support needs, who access overnight short breaks. Duties include undertaking statutory social work in line with legislation and local procedures, providing monthly supervision and case support to two Child in Need Keyworkers within the team.
Key Responsibilities
- Completing child and family assessments
- Working with children in need who are in receipt of overnight short breaks
- Undertaking child protection work if concerns arise for a child already open to the team
- Developing, reviewing and evaluating care and support plans
- Working collaboratively with families, schools, health colleagues and partner agencies
- Promoting inclusive, anti‑oppressive, rights‑based practice
- Contributing to a supportive, reflective team culture
- Supervising and supporting two Child in Need Keyworkers
- Ensuring statutory timescales for assessments, visits and reviews are met
- Ensuring work with disabled children and families is meaningful, proportionate and effective
About You
- Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England
- At least two years post‑qualifying experience
- Experience working with children and families
- Experience working with or supporting disabled children
- Committed to strengths‑based, inclusive practice
- Communicates respectfully and effectively with children, young people and families
- Organised, reflective and able to manage competing priorities
What We Offer
- Competitive rewards package, including local government pension scheme and generous annual leave allowance
- Unrivalled career development with an excellent training and progression programme tailored for social workers
- Regular supervision and strong management support
- Supportive team environment that values reflective practice
Practice Frameworks and Approaches
- Signs of Safety – framework for assessing and responding to harm
- Systemic Practice – supporting understanding of complexity in children’s and families’ lives
- Relationship Based Practice – strengthening relationships and social connectedness
- Contextual Safeguarding – assessing and responding to harm outside the family context
Salary
Social Worker (BG12): £42,839 – £46,142. Senior Social Worker (BG13): £47,181 – £50,269.
Legal and Eligibility
This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check. At this time we are not offering sponsorship for this position.
Equality and Diversity Statement
Bristol City Council strives to have a workforce that reflects the communities it serves. We are committed to ensuring diversity in our hiring process. We welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit. The Council is a Disability Confident employer and will make reasonable adjustments and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.
Social Worker (Post ASYE) Short Breaks Team Disabled Children Service in Bristol employer: Bristol City Council
Contact Detail:
Bristol City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker (Post ASYE) Short Breaks Team Disabled Children Service in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who have experience with disabled children. They might know about openings or can give you a heads-up on what to expect in interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interview by brushing up on the latest practices in child protection and strengths-based approaches. We want to see that you're not just qualified but also passionate about improving outcomes for children and families.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience! Be ready to discuss specific cases where you've made a difference in the lives of disabled children and their families. Real-life examples will help us see your commitment and skills in action.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to our supportive culture.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker (Post ASYE) Short Breaks Team Disabled Children Service in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for working with disabled children and their families shine through. We want to see your commitment to improving outcomes and championing rights, so share personal experiences or motivations that drive you in this field.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role and team. Highlight your relevant experience, especially your post-qualifying work and any specific skills that align with our strengths-based, child-centred approach. This shows us you’ve done your homework!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate well-organised applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our team there, making it easier for you to put your best foot forward.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bristol City Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of the role. Familiarise yourself with the Signs of Safety framework and how it applies to your practice. Being able to discuss specific examples from your experience working with disabled children will show that you’re not just knowledgeable, but also passionate about the work.
✨Showcase Your Strengths-Based Approach
During the interview, highlight your commitment to strengths-based, inclusive practice. Share stories that demonstrate how you've successfully worked with families and children, focusing on their rights and aspirations. This will resonate well with the team’s values and mission.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage competing priorities. Think through potential situations you might face in the role and how you would handle them, especially regarding child protection and collaborative work with partner agencies.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the team culture and support systems in place. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you. Plus, it gives you a chance to learn more about the supportive environment they offer.