At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide support and guidance to families, children, and professionals in need.
- Company: Cardiff Council's Family Advice & Support Protection Hub.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible work pattern, and a chance to make a difference.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a team that helps families navigate challenges and access vital support.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's services and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 15.07 - 15.07 £ per hour.
Work pattern
2 days remote, 3 days in the office
PAYE Pay Rate
- £15.07 per hour
- Main Purpose of the Role
To provide information, advice and assistance to families, children, young people and professionals contacting Cardiff Council’s Family Advice & Support Protection Hub (FASPH).
The role involves receiving, assessing and coordinating multiple referrals, identifying families’ needs and directing them towards the most appropriate early help services and support.
You will work closely with internal teams and external partner agencies to ensure families receive timely, appropriate and effective assistance.
The post holder will not hold a direct social work caseload but will play a key role in managing referrals and ensuring concerns are identified and escalated appropriately.
- Typical Day Overview
- Responding to incoming telephone calls and email enquiries from families, parents, carers and professionals.
- Receiving, reviewing and coordinating referrals into the Family Gateway Team.
- Gathering relevant information to understand the needs and circumstances of children and families.
- Providing clear information, advice and guidance on available support services.
- Identifying the most appropriate Early Help services and partner agencies for individual families.
- Liaising with social workers, professionals and external organisations to coordinate support.
- Recognising potential safeguarding concerns and escalating risks to the appropriate person.
- Updating and maintaining accurate records using case management systems.
- Managing multiple referrals and prioritising enquiries effectively.
- Working collaboratively with colleagues to ensure families receive the right support at the right time.
- Key Skills & Responsibilities
- Referral Management: Experience receiving, assessing, processing and coordinating multiple referrals.
- Family Support: Understanding the needs of children, young people, parents, carers and families.
- Safeguarding Awareness: Ability to recognise potential risks and safeguarding concerns and ...
- Communication Skills: Excellent telephone, written and verbal communication skills.
- Relationship Building: Ability to quickly establish rapport and build positive relationships with families and professionals.
- Information & Advice: Providing accurate, clear and appropriate information about support services.
- Multi-Agency Working: Experience liaising with social workers, local authorities and external partner organisations.
- IT & Administration: Confident using Microsoft Office packages and electronic case management systems.
- Organisation & Prioritisation: Ability to manage competing demands and multiple referrals effectively.
- Resilience: Remaining calm, professional and positive when dealing with challenging or sensitive situations.
Essential Experience & Requirements
- Previous experience working within Children’s Services, Family Support, Early Help, Social Care or a similar environment.
- Understanding of safeguarding procedures and the needs of vulnerable children and families.
- Experience handling telephone enquiries, referrals and sensitive information.
- Experience working with a range of professionals and partner agencies.
- Strong interpersonal, communication and organisational skills.
- Ability to identify potential risks and know when to seek advice or elevate concerns.
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and/or electronic case management systems.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a wider team.
OR122613 – Contact Officer in Cardiff employer: Cardiff Council
Join us at Cardiff Council, where we are dedicated to providing a supportive and nurturing environment for both our staff and the children in our care. As a Deputy Residential Manager in Doncaster, you will benefit from a competitive salary of £39,890, a structured work rota that promotes work-life balance, and ample opportunities for professional development within a collaborative team. Our commitment to high-quality care and positive outcomes for children ensures that you will find your role both meaningful and rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land OR122613 – Contact Officer in Cardiff
✨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 Cardiff 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 Cardiff 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 Cardiff 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 Cardiff 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 OR122613 – Contact Officer in Cardiff
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 Cardiff Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Cardiff 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 Cardiff 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.
