Job Purpose
To manage a caseload of adolescents who are with Foster Carers or Special Guardians whose behaviour is putting themselves or people in the home and the living arrangements at risk. Many of these young people will also be at risk of harm, including significant harm outside of the home. To assess individual needs and risk presented inside and outside of the home, focusing on strengths and reducing harm by engaging and working with adolescents and their families/carers. To provide targeted interventions including mentoring and support positive changes, with a longer term goal of achieving stability of their placement and positive relationships with their carers and extended networks.
About You
We are looking for an experienced and appropriately qualified professional that is able to demonstrate their knowledge and experience of working with challenging young people and their families/carers. You will have an understanding of how to address adolescent risk with the delivery of effective interventions including mentoring. You will have compassion and drive to effectively engage with Foster Carers and Special Guardians supporting them to build positive relationships with young people and bring stability to their living arrangements.
Essential Requirements
- Relevant professional qualification in working with children and/or adolescents.
- Working knowledge of issues relating to adolescents and experience of mentoring young people.
- Excellent communication skills that allow you to produce high quality reports.
- Ability to identify, assess and determine individual plans based on strengths for adolescents focused on safety, protecting from harm and reducing risk.
- Experience in developing and delivering targeted interventions that reduce risk and vulnerability for adolescents.
- Ability to make sound professional judgments.
- Compliance in practice with statutory requirements and guidance, and local procedures and standards.
Benefits
You will be valued for your skills and expertise, supported by the team of experienced professionals, as well as the management at Croydon Council, one of the largest employers in the borough. We also offer:
- Highly competitive compensation package.
- 29-31 days (grade equivalent) annual leave in addition to Bank Holidays and option to purchase more.
- A pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 20%.
- Continuing Professional Development – genuine opportunities to grow, develop and specialise in your career.
- Management development programmes.
- Investment into your wellbeing.
- Access to Employee Discount scheme with a range of programmes (Cycle Benefit Scheme, GymFlex, Retail Discounts and more).
- We promote flexible & hybrid working arrangements where possible to support a healthy work-life balance.
One year Fixed term/secondment Full time - 36 Hours
Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding Statement
Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Subject to business needs, we will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace for part of their working week and work from home, or elsewhere, remotely for the rest of the time.
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role.
Croydon Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check.
#J-18808-LjbffrStudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Adolescent Worker - Grade 10 (£42,324 £44,331) in Croydon
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Croydon Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Croydon Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Croydon Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Croydon Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Croydon Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Croydon Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Croydon Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
