At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young adults with learning disabilities, promoting independence and personal growth.
- Company: Join a friendly and supportive team at Cambridgeshire County Council.
- Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive wellbeing package, pay progression, and development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional development and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with registration and a driving licence.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
We have an opportunity for a full-time Senior Social Worker in our Young Adult\'s Team.
Our Young Adults Team consists of Social Workers and Adult Support Co-ordinators who collaborate closely in a highly supportive environment. The team is led by four Senior Social Workers and the Team Manager. Team members bring a wealth of experience and knowledge, supporting the professional development of newer members. Our team benefits from carefully managed caseloads that reflect their experience and skill set. There are numerous opportunities for joint working with various departments and provider services, ensuring that no two days are ever the same. There is always something new to learn!
Our Young Adults Team operates countywide from Scott House in Huntingdon. In addition to offering remote working options, the team enjoys an office in the vibrant town of Huntingdon, with easy access to local shops, restaurants, and community facilities.
The Young Adults Team support Adults aged 18-25yrs with a diagnosed learning disability who have an EHC Plan. We are looking for a dynamic, committed and passionate individual who is dedicated to improving the lives of young people. You will work alongside other professional colleagues to promote the principles of personalisation, encouraging independence, choice, and opportunities for young people to develop their independence for adulthood. Occasional out-of-county travel may be required.
We are a fun, friendly, and supportive team that works together uniquely to improve the lives of the young people we support.
For further information about this role, please contact Dan Newman, Team Manager, on 07585 992508 or daniel.newman@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
We are looking for exceptional Social Workers to join us on our journey. For an informal discussion about our vacancies, contact Beth on 01480 372 425 or e-mail welovesocialworkers@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.
Appointment to this post will be subject to the outcome of an Enhanced Disclosure obtained through the Disclosure and Barring Service. The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We are proud to serve the diverse communities of Cambridgeshire and want our workforce to be reflective of this diversity, which we believe benefits our employees, the organisation and our communities.
Our benefits
We value our colleagues in Cambridgeshire County Council and have developed a number of benefits in addition to the basics like annual leave, sick pay, pension and mileage.
- A comprehensive wellbeing package to cover all aspects of wellbeing, both in and out of work, which can also be accessed by your family
- 6 days of protected time each year to support in maintaining your Continuous Professional Development
- A pay progression scheme to enable you to accelerate through the pay grade as you gain experience and skills
- Scalable retention payments of up to £8,852 over a 3 year period, starting after your first full year of employment, in specific teams
- ARefer a Friend Scheme where if you refer another Social Worker to us who is subsequently employed by us as a result of that introduction, we\'ll pay you an introduction fee of £350
- Access to development opportunities, apprenticeships and qualified coaches to support your personal and professional growth
For more information and to see our other benefits, take a look at the benefits brochure attached to this advert.
What will you be doing?
Part of the role involves working alongside Children\'s services with young people under 18 years to prepare them and their families for adulthood. You will support young adults through change, encourage progression, and acknowledge individual, family, and community strengths. You will work alongside Adult Learning Disability services, particularly health colleagues, and closely with Education services. Legal and Court work is a core part of the senior role, particularly concerning MCA CoP DoL work. Senior Social Workers hold a small caseload and line manage 2-3 team members. Senior Social Workers also deputise for the Team Manager when needed.
Knowledge and experience of working with people with a learning disability is desirable but not essential. Advanced working knowledge of the Care Act 2014 and Mental Capacity Act is important as well as direct experience in managing safeguarding and complex casework in previous roles. Line management and Court experience will be a significant advantage for the role, but working alongside 3 other experienced Senior Social Workers means there is scope for professional development in this area.
About you
We\'re looking for confident and dynamic individuals who enjoy making a difference in their local community, are curious and spot things that others might not see, enjoys building relationships and like to explore possibilities.
You must:
- Be a qualified Social Worker with a Social Work England registration
- Hold a driving licence and have the ability to work from a variety of locations and travel countywide independently
For a full list of the requirements of the role, please check out the Job Description and Person Specification.
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.
Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, along with our employee network \'IDEAL\' and self-organised peer support groups help us to foster an inclusive, supportive and safe working environment where people feel valued, respected, and empowered. We collect relevant diversity data for monitoring as part of the recruitment process to understand the diversity of our applicants and monitor any trends throughout the recruitment processes so that we can take meaningful action.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. 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, whose details can be found in the advert, to discuss any adjustment needs. Some examples of adjustments could include additional time to complete an assessment or printing a document on pastel coloured paper with larger font size and line spacing. We would value talking about what might be possible to enable you to join us and thrive, so if there is something that would help you to do your best during your journey with us, please get in touch.
Visit our jobs and careers section to find out more about our wide range of learning and development opportunities; apprenticeships; our wellbeing package; staff benefits; our commitment to equality, diversity and Inclusion.
https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/council/jobs-and-careers
Senior Social Worker – Young Adults Team (Adult Social Care) in Huntingdon employer: Cambridge County Council
Cambridgeshire County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for Senior Social Workers in the Young Adults Team. With a focus on professional development, manageable caseloads, and a comprehensive wellbeing package, employees are empowered to grow while making a meaningful impact in the lives of young adults with learning disabilities. Located in the vibrant town of Huntingdon, the council provides access to local amenities and promotes a culture of inclusivity and diversity, ensuring that all team members feel valued and respected.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Worker – Young Adults Team (Adult Social Care) in Huntingdon
✨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 Senior Social Worker – Young Adults Team (Adult Social Care) in Huntingdon
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.
