At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in care and foster carers, ensuring stability and positive outcomes.
- Company: Essex County Council, a leader in community support and child welfare.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to fostering and safeguarding children.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and families, strong communication skills, and a valid driving licence.
The predicted salary is between 33256 - 33256 £ per year.
Permanent, Full Time £26,284 up to £33,256 per annum
Location: Harlow
Working Style: Community-based worker
About The Role
The Outreach worker (fostering) will support the stability of children’s care arrangements, to prevent children moving foster homes in an unplanned way and maximise the potential for children to thrive and meet their potential in care. The postholder will work directly with children in care, foster carers and supported lodgings carers to provide practical support and guidance and organise support groups and activities for carers. The postholder will work collaboratively with others to promote better outcomes for children and support the retention of foster carers. The role requires an awareness of the impact of trauma on children’s behaviour. The role also requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build strong working relationships with both children and adults. This role will require working flexible hours to support planned work outside of usual office hours and may require occasional unplanned emergency work.
Accountabilities
- Direct work with children: Undertake direct work with children and young people as planned by supervising social workers, mental health workers or others in the child’s network. Undertake direct work with the sons and daughters of foster carers. Attend other meetings relevant to the child as directed by the fostering manager. Participate when appropriate in the observation and assessment of young people. Ensure accurate records of all conversations with children and carers are kept and appropriately uploaded to the system and that relevant information is shared with the right people and recorded appropriately. Work collaboratively with statutory and voluntary partners to ensure the safety and best outcomes for children and their families. Build relationships with the child through group and/or one-to-one work where targeted work has been assessed as appropriate.
- Direct work with carers: Participate in the training and support of carers, which may include providing parenting advice, organising carer support groups and organising local activities for children, carers and their birth children. Provide practical support to carers in their tasks of caring for children and young people, as agreed by the carer’s supervising social worker, the outreach worker’s supervisor or the fostering team manager.
- Supporting the team and wider fostering service: Support the work of the wider Fostering Service, including contributing to the organisation of countywide fostering events. Participate with the line manager in the development of specific individual and shared targets and objectives annually within the performance management framework.
Skills, Knowledge and Experience
- Educated to RQF Level 2 (GCSE) or equivalent by experience, which may include specific practical qualifications.
- Experience of working with children and families.
- Experience of working with the public and the ability to maintain clear boundaries and open communication with clients and colleagues.
- An awareness of the impact of trauma on children’s behaviour.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to act assertively and resolve conflict.
- Ability to manage own workload and time effectively.
- Ability to work in partnership with social work colleagues and other professionals.
- Hold a valid driving licence and car available for business use, or access to a car and driver.
- Familiarity with children’s safeguarding protocols, the Children Act 1989 and the 2011 Fostering Service Regulations and National Minimum Standards for Fostering.
Additional Information
The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.
Equal Opportunity
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We also commit to interviewing all veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements of the role. As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC), if your role requires a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
Outreach Worker in Harlow employer: Essex County Council
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for Outreach Workers in Harlow. With a strong commitment to employee growth, the council provides ongoing training and development opportunities, ensuring that staff can thrive while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families. The inclusive culture prioritises well-being and flexibility, making it an ideal place for those passionate about fostering and community support.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Outreach Worker in Harlow
✨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 Outreach Worker in Harlow
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.
