At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families, ensuring their voices are heard and needs met.
- Company: East Lothian Council's Children's Services, dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, competitive pay, and strong support for work-life balance.
- Other info: Access to professional development and a supportive management team.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team committed to positive outcomes for children and families.
- Qualifications: Approved Social Work qualification and SSSC registration required.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Hourly rate of pay: £22.76 - £25.36. Candidates will be assessed on the basis of appropriate relevant experience and qualifications, and salary placed within the advertised scale.
Days and hours of work: Monday - Friday, 09:00-17:00. Days of working are negotiable, starting and finishing times are flexible, and flexi time is applicable. To start asap.
East Lothian Children’s Services have an opportunity for a social worker to join our Support and Intervention teams. This is an exciting opportunity for qualified social workers to develop their experience and use their skills to reach the best permanent outcomes for children within their families or the best possible alternative. Working alongside the Team leader and Senior Practitioners, you will be well supported to practice using Signs of Safety and to meet the principles of The Promise.
East Lothian Council's Children's Services recognises the importance of relationship based practice and use Signs of Safety as our practice framework in all areas of social work. We know this requires workers to have sufficient time and energy and we carefully match workers with families in order to achieve the best possible outcomes. Most support and intervention workers will have a caseload of around 17 children which we will continue to review in line with the Setting the Bar report from Social Work Scotland.
East Lothian's Children's Services are absolutely committed to keeping The Promise and keeping children, young people and their families' voices at the heart of everything we do. We are keen to recruit workers who are passionate about working with families and who want to help them to utilise their strengths and networks before we impose our own solutions.
Our staff are our greatest asset and we want to support people to have a healthy work life balance. For this to be possible, we recognise that social workers need protected caseloads, effective supervision and support. We recognise the emotional impact of the role and benefit from access to a clinical psychologist who supports our staff with complex work and promotes staff resilience.
We are committed to promoting an open and trusting culture at all levels of the organisation and prioritise continuous professional development and learning. We are proud of our approach to learning and development and there are a number of formal and informal opportunities to develop your practice and support your career pathway within East Lothian.
We have an accessible senior management team who are committed to recruiting the best people to complement the wide range of knowledge and experience that exists throughout the service.
Applicants should have a sound value base, excellent communication and report writing skills and a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of children and families social work role and responsibilities.
If you wish to discuss this job vacancy or working for Children's Services in East Lothian Council, please feel free to contact Team Leader Morag Brown on the details below:
Morag Brown- 07929 836272 or mbrown2@eastlothian.gov.uk
Job Details: To provide an effective service to service users and their families/carers, promoting a high standard of practice, in accordance with statutory obligations, policies and procedures.
Please download the Job Outline/Person Specification (available under 'Job Attachments') for the full range of tasks and duties associated with this job. You will need to refer to these in order to complete the application form. You must ensure you meet every 'essential' criteria stated on the Person Specification to be considered for interview.
The ‘East Lothian Way’– values and behaviours we expect our employees to demonstrate in their everyday work. Should you be invited to interview, you may be asked questions based on these behaviours. Please refer to the document via the link to familiarise yourself with them.
Job Requirements:
- Education/Qualifications: Essential: Approved qualification in Social Work, and SSSC registration. Those with international Social Work qualifications should not apply unless they are fully registered with the SSSC.
- Driving Licence: Full current driving licence and access to a vehicle. Where a disability precludes you from obtaining a driving licence, ELC will take into account its responsibility to make reasonable adjustments to allow for your disability.
- PVG Membership: This post is considered as a Regulated Role with vulnerable children and/or protected adults, as specified in the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020. All preferred candidates for posts carrying out regulated work with these groups will be required to become a PVG Scheme member, or undergo a PVG Scheme update if they are already a member, prior to any formal offer of employment being made by East Lothian Council.
Please note: PVG member’s records are constantly updated with any new vetting information that arises. Any information that is disclosed on a PVG membership or update check, if relevant to the post being applied for, will be discussed with the applicant and investigated prior to any formal offer being made.
Please note: If you have spent more than 3 months working or living out with the UK in the last 5 years then you will be required to present a copy of an overseas criminal record check. Details of how to apply and contact details can be found on the GOV.UK website.
For additional East Lothian Council employment information please click on the following link: www.eastlothian.gov.uk/nonteachinginfo
If you have any difficulties creating an account on MyJobScotland or applying for this post please contact the MyJobScotland support team via this link https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/contact-us.
If you require further information about this vacancy, please call 01620 827868, or email us on recruitment@eastlothian.gov.uk.
Please note: We do not accept CV's (either electronically or by mail). All our vacancies must be applied for by fully completing the on-line application form. Although there is an ‘import data from my CV’ function on MyJobScotland, this only imports very limited data and should not be relied upon to complete the application form. If, for example, due to a disability, you are unable to complete the on-line application form you can contact us for a paper application via the telephone number or email address above.
Social Worker (Children's Services) - EAL13079 in Haddington employer: East Lothian Council
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker (Children's Services) - EAL13079 in Haddington
✨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 East Lothian 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 East Lothian 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 East Lothian 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 East Lothian Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker (Children's Services) - EAL13079 in Haddington
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 East Lothian Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to East Lothian 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 East Lothian 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.
