At a Glance
- Tasks: Join the Supporting Independence Team to help young people transition into adulthood.
- Company: Cheshire West and Chester Council is dedicated to improving lives through teamwork and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, excellent training, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young lives while developing your skills in a nurturing culture.
- Qualifications: A professional social work qualification is essential for this role.
- Other info: Opportunities for creative planning and decision-making with children and families.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
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Social Worker – Supporting Independence Team, Winsford
Client: Cheshire West and Chester Council
Location: Winsford, United Kingdom
Job Category: Other
EU work permit required: Yes
Job Reference: 5e0122ba7432
Job Views: 11
Posted: 15.07.2025
Expiry Date: 29.08.2025
Job Description:
We are looking for a highly motivated, reflective, and experienced practitioner to join the Supporting Independence Team (formerly Leaving Care Team) based at The Portal, Ellesmere Port. You will be a strong team player with great communication skills and a commitment to working collaboratively. A professional social work qualification is essential for this post.
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.
The post holder will be an integral part of our Children’s Social Care Permanence Hub and will demonstrate a commitment to children and young people in care, providing high quality Pathway Planning for our young people to transition into adulthood in the strongest position. The ideal candidate will have a good understanding of children and young people in care and their needs, will be able to develop and maintain positive relationships with the children and young people that we support and care for, evidence the importance of effective Care Planning and Permanency planning.
Our role as Corporate Parents in Cheshire West and Chester is both a privilege and a job we take seriously, therefore any candidates should be passionate about providing care, nurture and support for our young people. Our practice model being Our Ways of Working is rooted in trauma-informed practice meaning that candidates will have the opportunity to engage in bespoke trauma-informed practice and motivational interview training to ensure the highest quality of care and planning for our young people.
Our Children\’s Social Care workforce is passionate and committed to improving outcomes for children by providing a consistent, high-quality service to children and families, together with excellent working relationships with our partners and the support from a stable leadership and management team. We are committed to a culture of shared learning and development in which you will have an active part to play in the continued progress of our services to children and families.
We have developed and embedded ‘Our Way of Working’ with our multi-agency partners to ensure improved collaboration and one common approach to our work with families using Motivational Interviewing and Trauma-Informed Practice. You will be supported and encouraged to work creatively in planning and decision-making with children and their families and our partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes and with a focus on prevention at every level.
Please see Job Description / Person Specification.
Our social workers will tell you: – They feel supported and part of a team. They have access to excellent training opportunities. Managers at Cheshire West and Chester strive to make Social Workers feel valued and recognised, they are approachable, available and compassionate. Social Workers are encouraged and supported to be creative and strive for excellence. They feel valued and supported by their team, manager, and the senior managers.
Our commitment and investment in professional development means that most of our Senior Practice Leads, Team Managers and some Senior Managers have progressed within our own organisation.
As a local authority, we continue to develop and enhance our social work offer to support and develop our valued workforce. We will offer you: –
- excellent work-life balance, flexible and remote working arrangements. We took the positives we learned from ‘lockdown’ and kept them
- bright, modern, and recently refurbished office environments
- high quality progression and developmental opportunities
- up to days ‘flexi time’ per year as well as your annual leave
- high quality supervision
- strong reflective practice framework
- free parking at all our office locations
- we’ll pay your Social Work England registration
- re-location allowance in some circumstances
As employers, we recognise that Cheshire West and Chester Council has a major role to play in improving the quality of life of its employees. We are committed to agile flexible and mobile working and helping employees to maintain an effective balance between their work and home life. The COVID lockdown has meant we have been able to improve our ability to work away from an office, to be more flexible and creative in the use of our time and maximising the use of technology, whilst at the same time ensuring we can come together as teams and with our support networks on a regular basis. We have developed a ‘new normal’ and this ‘hybrid’ arrangement allows for us to be more flexible in how we provide services to children and families and an enhanced work/life balance to our Social Workers.
We have a strong and supportive political and senior leadership team with a wealth of experience and knowledge about children’s outcomes across the borough of Cheshire West and Chester.
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Social Worker - Supporting Independence Team 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 Social Worker - Supporting Independence Team
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Cheshire West and Chester Council's core values, such as Teamwork and Empowerment. During your interactions, whether in interviews or networking, demonstrate how your personal values align with theirs.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with current social workers in the Supporting Independence Team through professional networks or social media. Ask them about their experiences and insights, which can help you tailor your approach and show genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight your understanding of trauma-informed practice and motivational interviewing techniques in conversations. This will showcase your commitment to the principles that underpin the work at Cheshire West and Chester Council.
✨Tip Number 4
Consider volunteering or gaining experience in related fields, such as youth work or community support. This practical experience can provide valuable insights and strengthen your application by demonstrating your dedication to supporting young people.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker - Supporting Independence Team
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Social Worker position within the Supporting Independence Team. Familiarise yourself with the key aspects of the job description, especially the emphasis on trauma-informed practice and effective care planning.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience and skills that align with the job description. Emphasise your professional social work qualifications, experience with children in care, and any training in trauma-informed practices or motivational interviewing.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for supporting young people in care. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your commitment to teamwork, communication, and collaborative working, as well as your understanding of the needs of children and young people.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. Ensure that your documents are clear, concise, and professionally formatted to make a strong impression on the hiring team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cheshire West and Chester Council
✨Understand the Role and Values
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the role of a Social Worker in the Supporting Independence Team. Familiarise yourself with Cheshire West and Chester Council's core values such as Teamwork, Honesty, and Empowerment, and be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be ready to share specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your skills in working with children and young people in care. Highlight your understanding of trauma-informed practice and how you've applied it in your previous roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and decision-making skills. Think about potential challenges you might face in the role and how you would approach them, particularly in relation to Pathway Planning and Care Planning.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers about the team dynamics, training opportunities, and the support provided for professional development. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the organisation is the right fit for you.