At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Children's Social Care teams to support and improve outcomes for children and families.
- Company: Cheshire West and Chester Council is dedicated to creating a thriving community through teamwork and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, free parking, competitive salaries, and generous annual leave.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team making a real difference in children's lives with excellent support and development opportunities.
- Qualifications: Experience in child assessment and planning, particularly in child protection or care proceedings is essential.
- Other info: Ongoing recruitment means your application will be considered as soon as it's received.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Social network you want to login/join with:
We want to recruit experienced, committed, creative, resilient Social Workers to join our Children\’s Social Care teams across Cheshire West and Chester in all our three localities of Chester, Ellesmere Port and Winsford.
Cheshire West and Chester Council is a place where everyone can Thrive – through our core values of Teamwork, Honesty, Respect, Innovation, Value for Money and Empowerment.
We will provide you with a supportive and collaborative working environment in modern and bright offices, where you can be assured of excellent management support and supervision, and your personal career development and progression will be actively encouraged.
We meet regularly as a service to provide practice development sessions and reflection opportunities.
We offer an excellent work-life balance, flexible and remote working arrangements.
You’ll get free parking at all our office locations, and we’ll pay your Social Work England Registration.
You’ll benefit from competitive working rewards, up to days ‘flexi time’ per year, and your annual leave will be days per year if you have less than years of continuous service, and days if you have over years.
We offer competitive salaries.
Our Children\’s Social Care workforce is passionate and committed to improving outcomes for children, providing a high-quality service to children and families. You will benefit from excellent working relationships with our partners and support from a stable leadership and management team. We are committed to shared learning and development, and you will actively contribute to the progress of our services.
We have developed ‘Our Way of Working’ with our multi-agency partners to ensure improved collaboration and a common approach to working with families, using Motivational Interviewing and Trauma-Informed Practice. We will support your knowledge and skills development to work creatively in planning and decision-making with children, families, and partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes, focusing on prevention at every level.
This is an ongoing recruitment programme. While a closing date has been set, applications will be considered as received, and interviews arranged. Please apply early if interested.
We are recruiting to the following teams:
- Child in Need Teams, based in Chester, Ellesmere Port, and Winsford.
- Child Protection/Court Teams based in Chester, Winsford, and Ellesmere Port.
- Permanence Teams (working with children who are ‘looked after’) based in Winsford and Ellesmere Port.
You need experience in assessment and planning in child in need and/or child protection, or working with children subject to Care Proceedings and who are \’looked after\’.
Please see the Job Description / Person Specification for details.
Our social workers report feeling supported and part of a team. They have access to excellent training opportunities. Managers strive to make Social Workers feel valued and recognized, being approachable, available, and compassionate. Social Workers are encouraged to be creative and strive for excellence, feeling valued and supported by their team, manager, and senior managers.
Our investment in professional development means many of our Senior Practice Leads, Team Managers, and some Senior Managers have progressed within our organization.
As employers, we recognize the importance of a flexible working arrangement, allowing us to provide services more effectively and promote work/life balance. We are committed to agile, flexible, and mobile working, utilizing technology to maximize flexibility while maintaining team cohesion and support networks.
We have a strong and supportive political and senior leadership team with extensive experience and knowledge about children’s outcomes across Cheshire West and Chester.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Children\'s Social Worker employer: Cheshire West and Chester Council
Contact Detail:
Cheshire West and Chester Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Children\'s Social Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the core values of Cheshire West and Chester Council, such as Teamwork, Honesty, and Empowerment. During any interactions or interviews, demonstrate how your personal values align with theirs to show that you are a good cultural fit.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees in the Children's Social Care teams. They can provide valuable insights into the work environment and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach when applying or interviewing.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight your experience with Motivational Interviewing and Trauma-Informed Practice in conversations or interviews. These skills are crucial for the role, and showcasing them will demonstrate your readiness to contribute effectively from day one.
✨Tip Number 4
Be prepared to discuss specific examples of your past work in child protection or with 'looked after' children. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it easier for interviewers to see your impact.
We think you need these skills to ace Children\'s Social Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities and requirements of a Children's Social Worker. Familiarise yourself with the specific teams mentioned in the job description, such as Child in Need Teams and Child Protection/Court Teams.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in child assessment, planning, and protection. Emphasise any previous roles that involved working with children who are 'looked after' or those subject to Care Proceedings.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for improving outcomes for children and families. Mention how your values align with those of Cheshire West and Chester Council, such as teamwork, respect, and innovation.
Highlight Professional Development: In your application, mention any training or professional development you've undertaken that relates to Motivational Interviewing or Trauma-Informed Practice. This shows your commitment to continuous learning and improvement in your field.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cheshire West and Chester Council
✨Show Your Passion for Child Welfare
Make sure to express your genuine passion for improving outcomes for children and families. Share specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your commitment to child welfare and how you've made a positive impact.
✨Demonstrate Your Teamwork Skills
Since teamwork is a core value for the organisation, be prepared to discuss how you have successfully collaborated with colleagues and multi-agency partners in previous roles. Highlight instances where your teamwork led to better outcomes for children.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Their Values
Research Cheshire West and Chester Council's core values: Teamwork, Honesty, Respect, Innovation, Value for Money, and Empowerment. Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and provide examples of how you've embodied these values in your work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and decision-making skills in challenging situations. Practice articulating your thought process and the rationale behind your decisions, especially in relation to child protection and care proceedings.