At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in care by supervising family time and assisting social workers with emotional assessments.
- Company: Join Durham County Council, recognised for outstanding children's services and a commitment to social work excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salaries, 27-32 days holiday, and a great pension scheme.
- Other info: Hybrid working model available; inclusive workplace culture promoting diversity and support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: 5 GCSEs (A-C) or equivalent; experience with children and a valid driving licence required.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
We are seeking a Social Work Assistant (22 hours per week) to support our young people aged between 0 to 18 within our Children in Care Service.
WHAT IS INVOLVED?
You will support our children by supervising family time for them and their family members, ensuring their emotional and physical safety. You will support our Social Workers by completing life story work with our children to enable them to understand their life journey into our care. You will help assist our Social Workers by completing SDQs (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires) with our children and their caregivers to review our children's emotional and mental health needs, as well as recording our children's dental dates to support our children's health reviews.
HOW WILL I BE SUPPORTED?
We are passionate about social work in County Durham. We are committed to providing a culture where good practice can flourish. We ensure our social workers are highly supported and encourage flexible working to achieve a good work-life balance. You will benefit from a range of training opportunities and professional development through personalised induction, professional supervision, and mentoring.
WHAT WILL I NEED?
- 5 GCSEs (A-C grades) or equivalent relevant qualification
- Experience in supporting children and having supervised family time.
- It is essential that you are able to drive and have a car, and have business insurance to be able to transport our children in your car.
If successful, you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.
REWARDS AND BENEFITS
We offer generous rewards and benefits that are designed to help you perform at your best:
- Competitive salaries and 27 days holiday per year rising to 32 days after five years continuous local government service.
- Option to purchase up to 10 additional days annual leave per year.
- Excellent work/life balance through schemes including job sharing, compressed hours and flexi-time (allowing up to 13 flexi days per year).
- Hybrid working (home and office working).
- Excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Wellbeing Portal and access to an Employee Assist Scheme.
- Wide range of learning and development opportunities including professional qualifications, coaching and mentoring.
- Discounted DCC gym membership.
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
We are a proud equal opportunities employer and recognise that a diverse, talented workforce brings new ideas and new perspectives, which will facilitate growth and improvements to services. We are committed to ensuring that our employment policies and processes are fair and equitable to all. We welcome job applications from everyone, and successful candidates are considered only on their skills and ability to do the job.
HOW TO APPLY
In line with the County Council's Recruitment and Selection Policy, please note that we are unable to accept CVs. Applications must be submitted on-line via the Northeast Jobs portal. Please use the 'Person Specification' section of your application form to demonstrate that you have the essential and where possible, desirable experience, skills, and knowledge.
Social Work Assistant - Children In Care in North East employer: Connected Local Government
Durham County Council is an outstanding employer dedicated to supporting the well-being and development of its employees, particularly in the vital role of Social Work Assistant within the Children in Care Service. With a strong commitment to work-life balance, generous benefits including 27 days of annual leave, and extensive training opportunities, you will thrive in a supportive environment that values diversity and inclusion while making a meaningful impact on the lives of young people in care.
Contact Details:
Connected Local Government Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Work Assistant - Children In Care in North East
✨Tip Number 1
Reach out to Natasha Gray via email for an informal chat about the role. This can give you valuable insights into what they are looking for and help you tailor your approach.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQs) as they are a key part of the role. Understanding how to complete these will show your commitment and readiness for the position.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight any previous experience you have in supervising family time or working with children in care during your discussions. This practical experience is crucial for the role and can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on the latest developments in children's social work, especially in County Durham. Showing that you are informed about local practices and policies can demonstrate your enthusiasm and dedication to the field.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Work Assistant - Children In Care in North East
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role:Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Social Work Assistant position. Make sure you can relate your experiences to the specific tasks mentioned, such as supervising family time and completing life story work.
Tailor Your Application:When filling out the application form, ensure that you highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the person specification. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria.
Showcase Your Passion:Express your enthusiasm for working with children in care and your commitment to supporting their emotional and physical safety. This can be done in your personal statement or cover letter, where you can share your motivation for applying.
Follow Application Instructions:Make sure to submit your application online via the Northeast Jobs portal as specified. Avoid sending CVs, and instead focus on providing detailed responses in the application form that address the essential qualifications and experience required.
How to prepare for a job interview at Connected Local Government
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and understand the responsibilities of a Social Work Assistant. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with supporting children in care and supervising family time.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Highlight any previous experience you have working with children or in social work settings. Be ready to provide specific examples of how you've supported children's emotional and physical safety in past roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle sensitive situations. Think about how you would approach various challenges that may arise while working with children in care.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask at the end of the interview. This could include inquiries about the training opportunities available, the team culture, or how success is measured in this role. It shows your genuine interest in the position.
