At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage a caseload of children in care and collaborate with multi-agency professionals.
- Company: Bedford Borough Council, known for its supportive management and strong-performing services.
- Benefits: Competitive pay rates, hybrid working, and advanced supervision support.
- Other info: Stable contract with opportunities for career growth in a well-regarded service.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Must be a SWE Registered Social Worker with relevant experience.
Looked After Children (Child In Care) Social Worker
Please note that only Social Work England Registered Social Workers with Right to Work in the UK will be considered for this role.
Location: Bedford Borough (UK-wide caseload)
Rate: Social Worker £37.86 / Senior Social Worker £39.31 (rising after 12 weeks AWR)
Contract: Locum - Full Time
About the Role
Bedford Borough Council is seeking 2-3 experienced Social Workers to join their Looked After Children service - also known as LAC / CLA (Children Looked After) / CIC (Children in Care) / Corporate Parenting teams. This is a strong-performing service that continues to improve following its last Ofsted inspection and is well-supported by management and robust IT systems.
You will be working with children subject to full care orders and separated migrant children, managing a varied caseload while contributing to a service focused on stability and positive outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a caseload within the LAC / CLA / CIC service (target ~16 cases)
- Work with children in care and separated migrant children
- Complete statutory visits, care planning, and reviews
- Collaborate with multi-agency professionals to safeguard and promote welfare
- Maintain accurate case recording using Liquidlogic
What's on Offer
- Competitive rates: £37.86 per hour (rising to £39 after 12 weeks AWR) £39.31 per hour (rising to £40.50 after 12 weeks for strong candidates)
- Supportive management structure with Advanced Practitioner supervision
- Strong IT setup including Liquidlogic, Magic Notes & Copilot
- Stable contract in a well-regarded LAC / Children in Care service
Working Arrangements
- Hybrid working: 2 days in the office most weeks
- 1 weekly duty day (office-based)
- Fortnightly Thursday team meeting (office-based)
- Hours: Mon-Thurs: 08:45-17:20 Fri: 08:45-16:20
- No condensed hours or part-time options available
Candidate Requirements
- SWE Registered Social Worker with relevant LAC / CLA / CIC / Children in Care / Corporate Parenting experience
- Ability to start within 4 weeks
- Strong safeguarding and case management skills
- Experience with Liquidlogic preferred
For more information on this role or for a discussion about Social Work opportunities across England and Wales please contact Gemma at Caritas Recruitment.
Children's Social Worker - Bedford employer: Caritas Recruitment
Bedford Borough Council is an excellent employer for Social Workers, offering competitive rates and a supportive management structure that prioritises employee growth and development. With a strong focus on stability and positive outcomes for children in care, the work culture promotes collaboration with multi-agency professionals and provides robust IT support, ensuring that you can effectively manage your caseload while making a meaningful impact in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children's Social Worker - Bedford
✨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 Caritas Recruitment.
✨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 Caritas Recruitment!
✨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 Caritas Recruitment, 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 Caritas Recruitment 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 Children's Social Worker - Bedford
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 Caritas Recruitment:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Caritas Recruitment! 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 Caritas Recruitment
✨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.
