At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in care, build relationships, and help them achieve positive outcomes.
- Company: West Sussex County Council, committed to improving children's services.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible working, regular supervision, and manageable caseloads.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people.
- Qualifications: 3+ years experience in children's social work and strong assessment skills.
Social Worker - Children We Care For (CIC) Team
West Sussex County Council
Location: Chichester (PO19)
Pay Rate: £38 per hour Umbrella (Negotiable up to £42 per hour for experienced Social Workers)
Eden Brown Synergy is currently recruiting for an experienced Social Worker to join the Children We Care For (CIC) Team at West Sussex County Council. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Children's Social Worker to join a supportive service with manageable caseloads, strong management support, and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference to children and young people in care.
About the Role
As a Social Worker within the Children We Care For service, you will be responsible for supporting children and young people who are looked after by the local authority. The role focuses on building positive relationships, completing meaningful direct work, understanding children's experiences, and helping them achieve positive outcomes for their future. The team has an emphasis on relationship-based practice, ensuring children and young people receive consistent support to help them settle, recover from previous experiences, and thrive.
Role Details
- Location: Chichester, West Sussex
- Team: Children We Care For (CIC)
- Pay Rate: £38 per hour Umbrella (negotiable up to £42 per hour for candidates operating at Advanced Social Worker level)
- Working Pattern: Full time
- Caseload: Approximately 18 children
Working Arrangements
The role offers flexible hybrid working, with no expectation to be office based every day. However, Social Workers will be required to:
- Travel to visit children wherever they are placed, which may include locations nationwide.
- Attend some in-person meetings, events, and team activities.
- Complete after-school and early evening visits when required.
- Attend office-based duty days twice per month.
Due to the rural nature of the area and travel requirements, a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a caseload of children looked after by the local authority.
- Complete high-quality assessments and identify risk effectively.
- Undertake direct work with children and young people to understand their needs.
- Develop strong relationships with children, families, carers, and professionals.
- Work collaboratively with multi-agency partners.
- Prepare reports and occasionally undertake court work where required.
- Support children to achieve permanence and positive outcomes.
Candidate Requirements
- A minimum of 3 years post-qualified experience working in direct permanent employment within an England Local Authority Children's Social Care service to meet agency assignment requirements.
- Recent frontline Children's Social Work experience.
- Experience working within Children in Care / Children We Care For teams or a related service.
- Strong assessment and analytical skills.
- Experience completing direct work with children and young people.
- Excellent multi-agency working experience.
- Social Work England registration.
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
Compliance Requirements
A minimum of two detailed practice-based references are required using the DfE reference template. Candidates must meet the required Local Authority experience criteria for agency engagement. West Sussex County Council will not engage agency workers within the same region for a minimum of three months after leaving a substantive role within that region.
Why West Sussex County Council?
West Sussex Children's Services has made significant improvements in recent years, with Ofsted recognising the strong leadership, commitment to improvement, and positive developments across the service. Agency Social Workers are welcomed as part of the wider service and are encouraged to participate in team events, leadership sessions, and improvement initiatives.
Social Workers benefit from:
- Regular supervision every four weeks.
- Access to managers for daily advice and support.
- Manageable caseloads.
- A supportive and improving service environment.
- The opportunity to build long-term relationships with children and young people.
Eden Brown Synergy is an equal opportunities employer.
West Sussex - QSW - CWCF/CIC (Chichester) upto £42 p/h umb employer: Eden Brown Synergy
Eden Brown Synergy is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work environment that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With competitive hourly pay and a focus on fostering teamwork, this role in Great Barr provides unique opportunities to make a meaningful impact in safeguarding while working alongside dedicated professionals in the field.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land West Sussex - QSW - CWCF/CIC (Chichester) upto £42 p/h umb
✨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 Eden Brown Synergy.
✨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 Eden Brown Synergy!
✨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 Eden Brown Synergy, 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 Eden Brown Synergy 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 West Sussex - QSW - CWCF/CIC (Chichester) upto £42 p/h umb
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 Eden Brown Synergy:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Eden Brown Synergy! 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 Eden Brown Synergy
✨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.
