At a Glance
- Tasks: Support adults in need by completing assessments and developing care plans.
- Company: Join a supportive team at Cambridgeshire County Council, dedicated to community wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive wellbeing package, pay progression, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth and support for personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while promoting independence and positive outcomes.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified Social Worker with current registration and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a qualified Social Worker to join our fast-paced and supportive Adult Early Help (AEH) Team on a full-time, permanent basis. The Adult Early Help Team is often the first point of contact for adults aged 18 and over who are seeking support from Adult Social Care. The team undertakes assessments, supports unpaid carers through strengths-based conversations and planning, and helps individuals access the right support at the earliest opportunity. As part of our wider Prevention and Early Intervention Service, you will play a key role in promoting independence, wellbeing, and positive outcomes for people across Cambridgeshire.
Working within the team's duty function, you will be responsible for effectively screening and triaging referrals, ensuring timely responses and appropriate pathways to support. Our multidisciplinary team is made up of Social Workers and Adult Support Coordinators with a wealth of experience and diverse backgrounds. We foster a collaborative and supportive environment where colleagues work together to support individuals, families, and carers, whilst sharing knowledge of preventative and community-based services available across the county.
This is a rewarding opportunity for a Social Worker who enjoys working in a dynamic environment, values strengths-based practice, and is passionate about helping people access the right support at the right time. As a council, Cambridgeshire will support individuals to look at their individual learning outcomes and offer a wide range of training and apprenticeships.
What will you be doing?
- Completing assessments with adults who may need care and support.
- Working with unpaid carers to understand their needs and undertake carers' conversations and planning.
- Developing care and support plans, community action plans, and carer support plans.
- Contributing to safeguarding referrals and identifying risks to vulnerable adults.
- Assessing and applying the principles of the Mental Capacity Act, including consideration of an individual's ability to make decisions.
- Using a strengths-based approach, exploring personal networks, community resources and voluntary sector support before considering formal services.
- Working closely with colleagues in Adult Social Care, Health services, and Prevention and Early Intervention services.
- Ensuring people receive timely signposting to appropriate preventative and community services.
- Supporting the Care Act principle of 'prevent, reduce and delay' the development of care and support needs.
Overall, this is a prevention-focused social work role, aimed at helping people access the right support at the earliest opportunity and avoiding unnecessary escalation to long-term statutory services where appropriate.
About you
- You must be a Qualified Social Worker with current Social Work England Registration.
- You will need a good working knowledge of the Care Act 2014 and Mental Capacity Act 2005.
- Experience of multi-disciplinary working to enable best outcomes for individuals is key.
- It is imperative that you have strong communication skills, a confident telephone manner and can work on your own initiative.
- Good planning and organisation skills will be key, and you should be used to working under pressure to meet deadlines, allowing flexibility and resilience.
About us
Cambridgeshire is a great place to work and live with a diverse population, an urban centre in Cambridge, historic Isle of Ely, Huntingdon and St Ives as well as more rural landscapes. Our four values are central to our culture, driving everything we do. We are proud to serve the diverse communities of Cambridgeshire and want our workforce to be reflective of this diversity, which we firmly believe benefits our colleagues, the organisation and our communities.
If you don't meet every single requirement in the job role but think this could be you, please don't be put off. We are committed to building a workplace that is compassionate and inclusive as well as diverse, so if you think you could be a good candidate for this role please consider applying and speak to the recruiting manager if you have any questions.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We fully support providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process, as well as when you join us, and we encourage candidates to contact the Hiring Manager to discuss any adjustment needs.
Adult Social Worker - Prevention and Early Intervention Team employer: Cambridge County Council
Cambridge County Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the wellbeing of its employees. With a focus on professional development and a comprehensive wellbeing package, this part-time Social Worker role in the Learning Disability Team provides meaningful opportunities to make a positive impact in the community while enjoying a balanced work-life environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Adult Social Worker - Prevention and Early Intervention Team
✨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 Cambridge County Council.
✨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 Cambridge County Council!
✨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 Cambridge County Council, 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 Cambridge County Council 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 Adult Social Worker - Prevention and Early Intervention Team
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 Cambridge County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Cambridge County Council! 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 Cambridge County Council
✨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.
