At a Glance
- Tasks: Make a real difference for children and families affected by substance use.
- Company: Join Change Grow Live, a supportive and innovative social care organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, professional development, and a comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Be part of a dedicated team with opportunities for growth and influence in the community.
- Why this job: Use your social work expertise to improve lives while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Must have a recognised Social Work qualification and experience with complex needs.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Do you want to make a real difference for children, families and communities? At Change Grow Live, we believe in people. We know that with the right support, anyone can make positive changes in their lives. We are looking for a passionate and experienced Social Worker to join our Kirklees service and help improve outcomes for adults, children and families affected by substance use. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Social Worker to join our well-established adult drug and alcohol treatment service as a Social Worker Lead on a 9-month fixed-term maternity cover contract, working 18.5 hours per week.
The role offers an excellent balance between frontline practice, professional leadership and partnership working, alongside the benefits of blended working, flexible arrangements, ongoing professional development and a supportive team environment that promotes a healthy work-life balance. You will be joining an established team of Social Workers and Family Recovery Coordinators, working under the leadership and professional supervision of our Senior Social Worker, with access to peer support, reflective practice and opportunities to contribute to service development across Kirklees.
Location: Kirklees
Full Time Hours: 18.75 hours per week
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract until 31st July 2027 (Maternity Cover)
About the Role
As Social Worker Lead, you will bring specialist social work expertise into an adult treatment setting, ensuring that safeguarding, family-focused practice and partnership working remain central to the support we provide. Working as part of a dedicated social work team and under the guidance of our Senior Social Worker, you will collaborate closely with recovery coordinators, family workers, safeguarding leads and partner agencies to improve outcomes for adults in treatment, their children and wider family networks.
Whilst this is not a statutory social work role, it provides a unique opportunity to influence practice, strengthen multi-agency working and champion safeguarding and family-focused interventions across the service.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide specialist advice and consultation on safeguarding, risk management and complex family situations.
- Support recovery staff with referrals, care planning and safeguarding actions.
- Work collaboratively with Kirklees Children's Social Care and other partner agencies to improve outcomes for children, young people and families.
- Represent the service at multi-agency meetings including MARAC, safeguarding forums and partnership groups.
- Support the development of workforce knowledge, skills and professional confidence around safeguarding and family-focused practice.
- Work alongside the leadership team to drive continuous improvement and strategic priorities.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships across children's and adults' social care, health services, education, safeguarding teams and criminal justice partners.
- Promote strengths-based, trauma-informed and recovery-focused approaches throughout the service.
- Support the wider integrated care system to develop knowledge and confidence in working with families affected by substance use.
About You
We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Social Worker who is passionate about improving outcomes for children and families and wants to apply their skills within an innovative adult drug and alcohol treatment service.
Essential Requirements
- Recognised Social Work qualification.
- Registration with Social Work England.
- Completion of ASYE.
- Experience of working with children, families and/or adults with multiple and complex needs.
- Sound knowledge of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults legislation, policy and practice.
- Understanding of the impact of substance use on children, families and communities.
- Experience of partnership working with a variety of agencies and professionals.
- Strong communication, relationship-building and influencing skills.
- Ability to support and develop the practice confidence of colleagues.
Desirable
- Experience of working within drug and alcohol treatment services.
- Knowledge of local safeguarding arrangements and procedures.
- Experience supporting strategic priorities relating to the national drug strategy.
- Experience developing or delivering parenting interventions or family support programmes.
- Experience of working directly with children and families.
Why Join Change Grow Live?
This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference while enjoying the flexibility and support needed to maintain a positive work-life balance.
We Offer
- Flexible and blended working arrangements to support a positive work life balance.
- A supportive, welcoming and experienced multidisciplinary team.
- The opportunity to work alongside an established Social Work team led by a dedicated Senior Social Worker.
- Regular professional supervision, peer support and reflective practice opportunities.
- Quarterly attendance at our National Social Work Forum.
- One day per month dedicated to independent learning and Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
- Access to specialist training, development opportunities and post-qualifying awards.
- One hour of paid wellbeing time each week.
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata), increasing with length of service.
- Contributory pension scheme.
- A comprehensive employee benefits package, including discounts on shopping, travel, leisure and entertainment.
- The opportunity to influence practice and improve outcomes across the wider Kirklees system.
If you are looking for a rewarding role where you can use your social work expertise to improve outcomes for adults, children and families, whilst enjoying flexibility, professional support and a positive work-life balance, we would love to hear from you.
A note about using AI in your application: AI can be a really helpful tool when putting together your application, and we're happy for you to use it. However, what we're most interested in is you. We want to understand your experiences, achievements and strengths, so please make sure your application reflects your own story and clearly shows how you meet the essential criteria and the impact you've made in previous roles. There's no need to write in a particular style. The strongest applications are authentic, specific and clearly demonstrate your skills, experience and potential. We look forward to learning more about you.
Please ensure that when completing your application form and supporting statement, you reflect on the details outlined in the job description. This will help us understand how your skills and experiences align with the requirements of the role.
Direct applications only — we will not be engaging agencies for this vacancy. Please note: This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. For applicants with time-limited visas, unfortunately, we are unable to support new visa applications or extensions.
This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.
Salary Range (pro rata if part time): CGL points 33 to 40 (£38,114.53 - £45,583.51)
ILW / OLW /Fringe: N/A - Outside London Weighting Area
If you have any questions or concerns on this opportunity that you would like to talk through please contact us using the below details:
Megan Smithson | Megan.Smithson@cgl.org.uk | 07776597895
This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.
Social Worker in Dewsbury employer: Change Grow Live
Change Grow Live is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and compassionate work culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and service users. Located in Bromley, this role provides meaningful opportunities for personal and professional growth, with a focus on making a positive impact in the community. Employees benefit from a competitive salary, generous leave, and the chance to collaborate with dedicated professionals in the field of recovery support.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker in Dewsbury
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to Change Grow Live, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker in Dewsbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of Change Grow Live. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at Change Grow Live. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at Change Grow Live
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with Change Grow Live.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Social Worker role at Change Grow Live, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show Change Grow Live that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
