At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families in urgent social care situations, ensuring their welfare and safety.
- Company: Join Coventry City Council, a diverse and inclusive organisation dedicated to improving lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, a supportive environment, and a commitment to your professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the community while working with passionate professionals in a nurturing culture.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified Social Worker with current registration and experience in statutory work.
- Other info: Guaranteed interviews for specific groups; check our accessibility page for support.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, accepting of all, and free from discrimination and bias. At Coventry City Council, we are embarking on an incredible journey to create a brighter future for Coventry's children. As a 'Good' Local Authority, we believe in pushing boundaries and delivering excellence for children and families. Our vision is clear, and our social workers are unwavering in their commitment to putting children and families at the centre of their practice. Be part of our inspiring team, making a meaningful difference in the lives of Coventry's children. Together, let's create a nurturing environment where every child's potential can flourish.
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic, LGBT+, disabled, and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equity and respect remain at the heart of everything we do.
Our Values are:
- Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
- Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
- Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
- Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
- Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
- Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.
The casual Senior Practitioners will cover shifts for substantive EDT post holders within periods of absence. As a member of the Council's Responsive Services, the Emergency Duty Team (out of hours social care) offer essential support services, generally outside of standard office hours to address urgent social care needs and ensure the likelihood of emergencies occurring is reduced. EDT ensure that any Social Care emergencies that cannot be safely left to the following working day are dealt with, responding to the whole of the community of Coventry including Children's Services, Housing, Adult Social Care, and Youth Justice Services therefore considering the overarching principles and objectives of these disciplines.
The post holder will be responsible for overseeing/supporting the work of Children and Family Workers. In partnership with agencies, the post holder will be responsible for responding to all requests for assistance received during the work shift with a particular focus on promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children, adults, and families of Coventry until core working hours. To act as a main point of contact for callers including members of the public and professionals. Where necessary, providing advice, completing risk assessments, signposting, coordinating and planning of responses to calls/requests for support, which can at times include responding in person in a range of settings. Acting on behalf of the Local Authority within complex matters including providing instructions to legal services and representation within court. Completing administrative tasks to ensure the cohesion of Responsive Services.
This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
The Emergency Duty Team are seeking to recruit casual Senior Practitioners, we are seeking inclusive leaders who value diversity and promote a culture of respect, collaboration, and continuous improvement and who are committed to creating an environment where every individual feels valued and supported. You will be committed and passionate about practice, sharing learning and knowledge and developing others. You will be a qualified and experienced Social Worker who has:
- A current registration with Social Work England.
- A sound knowledge of relevant legislation, policies, and procedures.
- A proven ability to work under pressure and make sound decisions.
- Knowledge of assessment methods, care management, and casework methods.
- Experience of carrying out a range of statutory work with adults, children, and housing matters.
- Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with adults, children, young people, and families.
If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme - As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care or have previously been in care
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition
For full details on the application process please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'. If there is any evidence of a candidate using AI to complete their application, then the application will be rejected unless the candidate can provide a justification which the Council considers to be reasonable.
Interview date(s): 30th May and/or 2nd June
About Coventry: Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change. We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant, and diverse. At Coventry, we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things. To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities. If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package.
Contact Detail:
Coventry City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Casual Senior Practitioner
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Coventry City Council's values and mission. Understanding their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and community welfare will help you align your responses during the interview, showcasing how your personal values resonate with theirs.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your ability to work under pressure and make sound decisions. The role requires quick thinking in emergency situations, so having concrete instances ready will highlight your suitability.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former employees of Coventry City Council, especially those in social work roles. They can provide insights into the team culture and expectations, which can be invaluable for tailoring your approach during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Research recent developments or initiatives within Coventry's social services. Being knowledgeable about current challenges and successes will demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and your proactive attitude towards contributing positively.
We think you need these skills to ace Casual Senior Practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Casual Senior Practitioner position. Familiarise yourself with the job description and the values of Coventry City Council to tailor your application accordingly.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your experience as a qualified Social Worker, particularly in areas related to children and family services. Provide specific examples of how you've successfully managed urgent social care needs or worked under pressure.
Showcase Your Commitment to Diversity: Coventry City Council values diversity and inclusion. Make sure to mention any experiences or initiatives where you've promoted these values in your previous roles. This could include working with diverse communities or implementing inclusive practices.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, take the time to proofread it for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which is crucial for a role that involves communication with the public and professionals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Coventry City Council
✨Understand the Values
Familiarise yourself with Coventry City Council's values, such as inclusivity and respect for diversity. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and provide examples from your experience that demonstrate your commitment to these principles.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Highlight your relevant experience as a Social Worker, particularly in emergency situations. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've handled pressure, made sound decisions, and worked collaboratively with other professionals to support children and families.
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Inclusion
Since the role emphasises diversity and inclusion, be prepared to discuss how you promote these values in your practice. Share any initiatives or strategies you've implemented to create an inclusive environment for both colleagues and service users.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to respond to urgent social care needs. Practice articulating your thought process and decision-making steps in hypothetical situations related to child welfare and family support.