At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families by providing timely advice and guidance.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on safeguarding and supporting families in Essex.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Knowledge of safeguarding legislation and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 33256 - 33256 £ per year.
This is a key role that ensures the 'Single Point of Entry' is accessible by professionals, members of the public and families. Advisers will work with a team of senior staff to ensure that children and families receive a prompt and appropriate response to concerns and risks, making sure that all contact is dealt with safely and efficiently.
You will respond to enquiries and Requests for Support via a range of sources including telephone calls and emails from professionals, members of the public and families. You will proactively gather information and record in line with procedures and legislation to ensure that families in Essex receive the most appropriate level of support in a timely manner through either robust information, advice and guidance or onward progression to the appropriate team.
Accountabilities:- Management team of the Children and Families Hub.
- Understand the needs of your customers and deliver the best possible outcomes through exemplar behaviour in accordance with ECC's Values and Core Organisational Behaviours.
- Work flexibly and collaboratively across structural boundaries in support of key outcomes.
- Contribute to development of organisational capability by taking ownership of your own training and development, including identifying and taking part in training and development activity and responding to feedback on performance.
- Think creatively, challenge the norms, and constructively challenge those around them (including those more senior) to ensure continuous improvement and commercial astuteness, and inspire the same in colleagues.
- Take responsibility for identifying and actioning areas of risk including Health and Safety and Business Continuity.
- Work as part of project or process teams as required under the new operating model, ensuring excellent cross functional output.
- Take personal responsibility for providing accurate Information, advice, and guidance either via telephone or email in line with the levels of need identified within the Effective Support for Children and Families in Essex guidance.
- Work closely with other team members, seeking support and advice where required to identify risk and ensure children are safeguarded by prioritising referrals when necessary.
- Ensure that appropriate information is recorded accurately and is entered onto the appropriate system, taking advice where necessary, maintaining safe and lawful recording in accordance with the Data Protection legislation and ECC policy.
- Gather relevant information as required ensuring that the appropriate level of need is identified for families and completing records to ensure consideration for further referral onto a relevant team within the Children and Families Hub.
- Act as a link adviser to a thematic area of work or geographical area ensuring a good knowledge of local services available for the Children and Families Hub to include in the Directory of Services.
- The duties of the post may be changed and/or varied to meet changing circumstances at the discretion of the Children and Families Hub management team therefore allowing for a flexible approach to workflow and demand.
The role is based in Essex House, Colchester; however, some travelling may be required to attend training, representing the team at meetings and liaising with both internal and external partners.
The Experience You Will Bring:- Essential: A knowledge and understanding of current national and local safeguarding legislation and procedures including the Effective Support for Children and Families in Essex guidance, the Children’s Act and Working Together Guidance.
- Good general level of education including English at GCSE grade A-C, or demonstrably equivalent abilities.
- Experience of communicating by telephone and electronically recording information promptly and in adherence with data protection legislation.
- Desirable: Understanding of high-quality customer care and information provision and an appreciation of potential barriers and challenges for hard-to-reach groups.
- High level of inter-personal, negotiation and communication skills, engaging at appropriate levels with a variety of audiences.
Children and Families Advisor - C&F Hub in Essex employer: Essex County Council
As a Children and Families Advisor at the C&F Hub in Colchester, you will join a dedicated team committed to making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in Essex. The organisation fosters a supportive work culture that prioritises professional development, offering training opportunities to enhance your skills and career growth. With a focus on collaboration and innovation, this role provides a unique chance to contribute to community welfare while enjoying the benefits of a flexible working environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children and Families Advisor - C&F Hub in Essex
✨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 Essex County 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 Essex County 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 Essex County 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 Essex County 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 Children and Families Advisor - C&F Hub in Essex
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 Essex County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Essex County 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 Essex County 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.
