At a Glance
- Tasks: Support social workers in delivering tailored adoption support plans for families.
- Company: Essex County Council, recognised as Outstanding by Ofsted.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity with potential for career growth and collaboration across the Eastern region.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team dedicated to improving the lives of adopted children and their families.
- Qualifications: Level 3 education or equivalent experience in social care.
The predicted salary is between 33256 - 33256 £ per year.
Fixed Term, Full Time
£26,284 to £33,256 per annum
Location: Chelmsford
Closing Date: Tuesday 30th June at 11:59PM
This is a 12 months fixed term contract.
Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our investment in our workforce is second to none. It's an exciting time to join us. Not only have we been named Outstanding by Ofsted, we are delighted and at the same time humbled to have been crowned Social Work Employer of the Year for the second time in the last three years!
The Opportunity
Children and Families is recognised as a service in which social work can develop and prosper, with a culture of collaboration, integrity and compassion; promoting development and wellbeing of children, young people and their families; protecting them from neglect and abuse. Working together with partners delivering a range of early help, family support and effective social work interventions which build resilience, remove barriers and enable children and young people to look forward to a brighter future.
This post will be part of the Adopt East Team employed by Essex County Council. The post will support the work of 3 Regional Adoption Agencies/Alliances across the Eastern region. The post will work across the Eastern Region within the adoption service developing the support offer to adopted young people and their families. This is an exciting opportunity to bring together good practice across the region to ensure that we have a consistent and innovative support offer to adopted young people and their families. Essex will be the employing authority but we would encourage applications from anywhere in the Eastern region.
Support Workers work within the adoption service, working collaboratively with Qualified Social Workers to deliver bespoke, targeted intervention work, in accordance with the adoption support plans, to adopted children and families. This work will normally be time limited, with measurable impact and meet the assessed needs. This is a new opportunity that has arisen as a result of the Eastern Region being successful at gaining funding to develop our support offer to young people. A considerable amount of the intervention will be offered via therapeutic groupwork. This project is closely connected to the Department of Education and Adoption England which provides an exciting opportunity to help shape future services for young people.
Educated to Level 3 or with activity based alternative experience, in a social care setting, you will be passionate about engaging with and providing direct support in the community, building strong working relationships with partners to jointly deliver improved services. The post is for 12 months fixed term with the possibility to extend based upon continued funding being made available. For candidates already employed by one of the Eastern region Local Authorities this role would be open for a secondment opportunity subject to line management agreement.
Accountabilities
- Responsible for supporting social workers to implement adoption support plans, predominately through group based creative provision to adoptive families.
- Responsible for maintaining high standards of professional practice which contribute to continuous improvement across the service.
- Responsible for highlighting issues and implementing plans to safeguard a child.
- Building strong, effective relationships with the service users, providing practical advice and support, where necessary and deemed appropriate; enabling children and families to sustain change and function effectively within the community.
- Work collaboratively across the service, with internal and external professional partner agencies, to ensure improved outcomes for children and families.
- Provide information and advice in relation to involvement/accessing of third party agencies relevant to the needs of the service user (e.g. benefits agencies, immigration and housing).
- Participate in meetings, reviews, case conferences and court hearings to provide information, insight and evidence where relevant to the service area.
- Using reporting mechanisms to report progress to the Department for Education and Adoption England.
The Experience You Will Bring
Essential:
- Educated to NVQ/BTEC Level 3 or equivalent experience.
- Experience of building strong, effective relationships with children and families in times of challenge and crisis, ideally with adopted families.
- Experience of undertaking group work with young people, ideally in an adoption setting or within a therapeutic environment.
- Experience of undertaking direct, activity based work with children and families where required.
Desirable:
- Knowledge and understanding of the issues impacting children, young people and families, leading them to require support.
- Knowledge of legislative and policy guidance applicable within Social Care settings.
- Proven track record of working with partners and external agencies.
- Evidence of continuing professional development and in-depth knowledge in relevant professional area.
- Experience of working in an adoption support or youth work setting.
- A certificate in First Aid and/or knowledge of Sign Language is desirable in this role.
Support Worker CFS, Chelmsford employer: Essex County Council
Essex County Council is an outstanding employer, recognised for its commitment to social work excellence and employee development. With a collaborative and compassionate work culture, we offer meaningful opportunities for growth within the Children and Families service, ensuring that our Support Workers can make a real difference in the lives of adopted children and their families. Join us in Chelmsford, where you will be part of a dedicated team shaping innovative support services across the Eastern region.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker CFS, Chelmsford
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to Essex County Council, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Support Worker CFS, Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of Essex County Council. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at Essex County Council. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with Essex County Council.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Support Worker CFS, Chelmsford role at Essex County Council, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show Essex County Council that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
