At a Glance
- Tasks: Make a meaningful impact in children's lives through assessment and support services.
- Company: Join Halton, a vibrant local authority committed to community improvement.
- Benefits: Enjoy 34 days holiday, pension scheme, flexible working, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with excellent career progression and training.
- Why this job: Shape the future of children and young people while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work and a passion for helping children and families.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Do you have a passion for making a meaningful impact in the lives of children? Are you looking for somewhere that allows you to truly shape the life chances of children and young people? We are looking to recruit experienced Social Workers to support us on our improvement journey. Join a team where we're always looking ahead - a place that's deeply committed to continuous learning, growth, and career progression.
Our Story: Halton is a vibrant local authority area encompassing Widnes and Runcorn, with a rich history and heritage, featuring two iconic bridges that connect communities across the River Mersey. Located in Cheshire, Halton boasts excellent transport links between Liverpool and Manchester. Our progressive community strategy aims to bring about meaningful, long-term improvements that enhance lives. It's an exciting time to join us as we develop new policies and transform the way people access services. We are immensely proud that when asked what's great about working for Halton, the most popular response from our workforce has been 'our colleagues'.
Our Team: The Duty and Assessment Team are a dedicated and impactful team, who are at the heart of positive change - working directly with children, families, and partner agencies to ensure every child's needs are met swiftly and effectively. With a strong focus on collaboration and timely support, this is a team where your work truly makes a difference.
Hours: 37
As a Social Worker within our Duty and Assessment Team, you will identify and assess levels of risk and need, and deliver protective or supportive services for children at risk, in need of support and or looked after. If the child/young person requires longer term support you will assist in ensuring that they are allocated to a social worker in our Child in Need team. This role is based in our office in Widnes with some travel across the Borough.
- A generous annual holiday allowance starting at 34 days per year (including bank holidays), increasing with long service
- Membership of our defined benefit, salary-linked Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with generous employer contributions
- 3 x Salary Life Cover via Local Government Pension Scheme
- Investment in your personal development
- Free Car Parking at HBC sites
- Flexible working arrangements
- Extensive employee benefits platform including discounted shopping, car leasing, gym memberships, wellbeing hub and Employee Assistance Programme
We have a strong vision for social work practice in Halton and we are currently embedding a relationship based practice model that has systemic practice at its core. We're on a journey for excellence and we've made it our mission to ensure that children and young people get the best service from us, so they are able to thrive and achieve. We are committed to supporting our Social Workers and Managers to achieve their aspirations too. Working with us, you will have real opportunities to progress your career through training and development as an advanced practitioner, or future leader. We have a stable and experienced Senior Leadership Team, who lead from the front. The Head of Service, Service Manager and Team Manager are well established staff members in Halton, who are supportive and nurturing. You will receive bespoke support from the Social Work Academy who are integral in supporting this team in our improvement journey, providing advice, guidance and support to colleagues in this service area.
The Market Supplement applicable to the advertised role is as follows: For salaries of HBC 7 and HBC8 - £2,710 per annum. A market supplement is payable for those hard to fill posts within Children's Services, effective from 1st October 2024 until March 2025 then for another 2 further full financial years until 31st March 2027.
Social Worker in Runcorn employer: HALTON BOROUGH COUNCIL
Halton Borough Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and the families they serve. With competitive pay and the flexibility of hybrid working, social workers have the opportunity to grow professionally while making a meaningful impact in the community. The council is committed to fostering employee development, ensuring that staff are equipped with the skills and resources needed to thrive in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker in Runcorn
✨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 HALTON BOROUGH 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 HALTON BOROUGH 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 HALTON BOROUGH 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 HALTON BOROUGH 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 Social Worker in Runcorn
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 HALTON BOROUGH COUNCIL:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to HALTON BOROUGH 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 HALTON BOROUGH 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.
