At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with disabilities and their families, coordinating multi-agency care.
- Company: Join Halton, a vibrant local authority dedicated to community improvement.
- Benefits: Enjoy 34 days holiday, flexible working, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Hybrid working options and a supportive team environment await you.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children with complex needs.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with experience in child protection and disabilities.
The predicted salary is between 32243 - 39408 £ per year.
Our Story Halton is a vibrant local authority with a rich history and heritage, featuring three iconic bridges that connect communities across the River Mersey. Located in Cheshire, Halton boasts excellent transport links between Liverpool and Manchester, as well as close proximity to both Liverpool John Lennon and Manchester Airports. 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 Children with Disabilities Team in Halton provides specialist support for children and young people with complex needs, including physical disabilities, learning disabilities, autism, and complex health conditions, coordinating multi-agency care and services. The service is dedicated to meeting the needs of identified young people and their families within the Runcorn and Widnes localities. It is recognised that the level of support for young people will differ from child to child and our skilled workforce will be able to support and assess under Section 17 Children Act 1989 and the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970. Workers are expected to have experience of child protection and supporting some young people within local authority care. The team provide clear, accessible information about support and services. By understanding Halton’s children and their families, the service will continually shape and improve the support that is offered. Working in partnership, the service will make sure families are fully involved in decisions.
Your Contributions Our dedicated team are currently seeking a qualified social worker, with knowledge of relevant government legislation and guidance, SEND and local procedures relating to children with disabilities, their carers and safeguarding. You will have experience of working collaboratively with colleagues from other organisations, including social care, health, education, commissioned services and the voluntary sector as you will represent the team in multi-agency panels and task groups. Previous experience of supporting young people with complex health needs, a learning disability, social communication difficulties, and challenging behaviour is preferred. You will have excellent communication skills and have an understanding of the use of alternative communication systems such as PECS, Makaton, social stories etc. You will manage an individual caseload, prioritising your own workload and meeting challenging deadlines. Case recording must be clear, analytical and timely. Your role will also include working with the Manager to support the delivery and development of high quality child in need and safeguarding support. Our team work with families living in all areas of Halton. The Service is primarily based at Warrington Road Family Hub, Widnes but there is flexibility to work on a hybrid and agile basis, depending on the needs of the service. There will also be regular travel involved in this role, so a full UK driving license and access to a vehicle is required.
Our Offer Aside from working with a great team, our employees have access to a fantastic range of benefits, including:
- 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
A relevant market supplement amount is included in the advertised salary for each grade as follows: Grade HBC7 - £2,710 Grade HBC8 - £2,710 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. We are committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and tailored to best suit the needs and strength of the individual. This includes making adjustments for people with a disability, neurodiversity or with long-term health conditions. We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applications. Please refer to the attached Job Profile for further information about the role and our values.
Social Worker - Children with disabilities in Widnes 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 - Children with disabilities in Widnes
✨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 - Children with disabilities in Widnes
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.
