At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people in their transition to adulthood and promote independence.
- Company: West Sussex County Council, a diverse organisation dedicated to community service.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a strong emphasis on work-life balance.
- Other info: Join a supportive team committed to equity, inclusion, and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while growing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in social work or equivalent, with relevant experience and registration.
The predicted salary is between 41177 - 44253 £ per year.
About Us
West Sussex County Council is a diverse organisation that provides services to more than 850,000 residents. Employees are genuinely valued, respected and there is an emphasis on work life balance. We are committed to fostering personal growth, with ongoing professional development and continuous learning at the heart of our culture. Working in the Transition Teams is all about making a positive difference for young people on their journey to adulthood. We recruit colleagues who share our passion for supporting young people to be ambitious and develop lives of their own. If you join us, you will be welcomed into supportive teams who will encourage you to be the best colleague that you can be. The structure of Transitions services is under review and may be subject to change and so we would welcome applications from candidates that have Learning Disability and/or Mental Health experience.
Transition is a busy and exciting time for workers and young people. You will be expected to work within organisational, policy and legislative frameworks as you support young people to increase their independence and plan for the future. We aim to:
- Offer early intervention
- Build on an individual’s strengths to develop skills and independence
- Build and promote links with the individual’s community
- Promote and maintain safety and good health
- Promote employment and meaningful daily occupation
Our Lifelong Services Teams have a unique focus, and our Social Workers and Assistant Care Managers are exceptional at supporting the teams to deliver legislatively compliant services. We offer a dedicated, strengths-based approach to disability that we know makes a positive difference. Whether we are engaging with people seeking advice, providing equipment or skills training, or starting a journey with people that may lead to a personal budget to meet complex needs, we are always looking to deliver the best outcomes.
About The Job
Salary: £41,177 to £44,253 per annum (grade 10) to £45,529 to £48,738 per annum (grade 11)
Working Pattern: Full time, 37 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Location: Horsham office base (alternate office base is Littlehampton), countywide travel required
As a Social Worker within a busy community team, you will be responsible for achieving positive change and improved outcomes for young people. You will have a varied, complex caseload, and provide an accountable social care service to those people who access or need the service. You will be undertaking high quality assessments and reviews including mental capacity act assessments, responding to safeguarding enquiries, and working as part of a team. You will be expected to work within organisational, policy and legislative requirements. You will have the opportunity to apply your social work skills, experience and values to the work that you do in supporting young people, their support networks and your team.
Experience and Skills Required
These will be used as the shortlisting criteria)
Key Skills:
- Good assessment skills, including the ability to ensure regular reviews and risk management with a variety of individuals, carers or families.
- Able to effectively prioritise work and meet deadlines.
- Able to analyse and interpret complex situations and people-related information, prioritise needs and formulate plans for intervention and service provision.
- Able to work in partnership with carers, colleagues and external agencies to deliver an effective service.
- Highly developed communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively in both written and verbal format, to explain complicated information to others and to use negotiation and persuasion skills to encourage others to adopt a course of action they might otherwise not wish to take.
- Able to recognise limits of own accountability and responsibility and seek appropriate support, advice and supervision.
Qualifications and/or experience:
- Degree in relevant professional or equivalent qualification e.g. Certificate of Qualification in Social Work or Diploma in Social Work.
- Completion of relevant post-qualifying training.
- Registration with the relevant professional registration body and responsibility for maintaining registration with that body.
- Advanced theoretical, practical and procedural knowledge of social work.
- Good, up-to-date working knowledge of legislation relevant to the specialist area of the post e.g. The Care Act and the Mental Capacity Act.
- Good understanding of the necessity of working with partnership agencies including health, housing, learning, statutory, voluntary and independent sector.
- Experience of forming effective working relationships within a multi-agency/multidisciplinary setting.
- Valid, full driving licence.
- Experience of working in partnership with those who access or need the service and maintaining a focus on the needs of the individual whilst handling conflict and disagreement.
- Experience of effectively coaching and supervising others, acting as practice role model and promoting exemplary practice.
- Experience of managing levels of risk within a complex caseload.
Rewards and Benefits
For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee you can find them on our Rewards and Benefits page.
Further Information
The reference number for this role is CAFHE06563. For an informal conversation or for further information regarding the role, please contact Anna Szkurlat (Team Manager) at anna.szkurlat@westsussex.gov.uk. For issues or queries regarding your application please contact hrrecruitment@westsussex.gov.uk.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to Social Work England registration, an enhanced DBS check, 5 years referencing and a health check. Equity, inclusion, accessibility and diversity is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all cultures, ethnicities, identities, backgrounds and lived experiences, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success. For information regarding your eligibility to apply for this role under our Disability or Veteran’s Guaranteed Interview Scheme (if you meet the essential criteria), this can be found on our application help page.
Social Worker/Senior Social Worker - Lifelong Services in Horsham employer: EMEA3 Recruitment
Blick Rothenberg is an exceptional employer that prioritises your professional growth in a supportive, partner-led environment. With flexible working hours, comprehensive study support, and a commitment to delivering high-quality tax advice, you will thrive as part of a dynamic cross-border team while enjoying a competitive salary and extensive benefits.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker/Senior Social Worker - Lifelong Services in Horsham
✨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 EMEA3 Recruitment.
✨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 EMEA3 Recruitment!
✨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 EMEA3 Recruitment, 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 EMEA3 Recruitment 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/Senior Social Worker - Lifelong Services in Horsham
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 EMEA3 Recruitment:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to EMEA3 Recruitment! 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 EMEA3 Recruitment
✨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.
