At a Glance
- Tasks: Mentor colleagues, lead assessments, and build relationships to support children and families.
- Company: Outstanding local authority recognised for exceptional children's services in Hampshire.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, career development, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children while advancing your social work career.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in supporting vulnerable children and families.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive culture and excellent opportunities for professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join us as a Senior Social Worker and take the next step in your career while making a lasting impact on the lives of children and families across Hampshire. We’re proud to be part of a select group of local authorities recognised by Ofsted as Outstanding for the quality and impact of our children’s services.
This is a fantastic opportunity to enhance your professional practice, mentor and collaborate with colleagues, and actively shape a culture of learning and continuous development.
What you’ll do:
- Provide mentoring, guidance, and support to colleagues, helping them grow and develop in their roles.
- Champion reflective practice and contribute to service development and innovation.
- Role-model excellent social work practice, promoting high standards across the service.
- Build strong, meaningful relationships with children and families to enable positive change.
- Lead on complex assessments, care planning, and interventions that safeguard and promote wellbeing.
- Work collaboratively with multi-agency partners to deliver holistic support.
- Manage complex caseloads with autonomy, creativity, and a focus on outcomes.
What we’re looking for:
- Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
- Comfortable mentoring others and role-modelling best practice.
- Significant experience working with children and families, particularly those from vulnerable backgrounds.
- Highly skilled in building trust, engaging families, and developing effective plans.
- Creative, flexible, and forward-thinking in your approach to practice.
- Committed to continuous improvement and professional development.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding, legal frameworks, equality, and best value principles.
Why join us?
- Outstanding support: Regular, reflective supervision and a culture that values your voice.
- Flexible working: Including a 9-day fortnight and hybrid options to support work-life balance.
- Career development: 5 personal development days per year and access to excellent learning opportunities through our DfE ‘Partner in Practice’ initiative.
- Back-office support: Dedicated business support team to free up your time for frontline work.
- Relocation assistance: Up to £8,500 available for experienced UK-based Social Workers relocating to Hampshire (subject to management approval).
- Wellbeing support: Access to Health Assured\’s comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
- Competitive benefits package: Generous annual leave, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
Ready to take the next step?
To learn more about this role, please review our Candidate Pack available on our website. Please click on the Apply button for details.
Important:
YOU must already have the right to work in the UK. We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
Other job titles you may be searching for may include: Senior Case Manager, Advanced Social Work Practitioner, Senior Children’s Services Practitioner, Senior Safeguarding Social Worker.
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Senior Social Worker employer: Hampshire County Council
Contact Detail:
Hampshire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, attend local events, and join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios specific to social work. Think about your experiences with children and families, and how you’ve made a positive impact. We want you to shine when it’s your turn to talk!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your mentoring skills! Be ready to discuss how you've supported colleagues in their development. Highlighting your ability to role-model best practices will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our fantastic support system right there.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Social Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with children and families, especially from vulnerable backgrounds. We want to see how your skills align with our values and the role of a Senior Social Worker.
Showcase Your Mentoring Skills: Since mentoring is a key part of this role, share specific examples of how you've supported colleagues in their professional growth. We love to see how you can champion reflective practice and contribute to service development.
Demonstrate Your Creativity: We’re looking for someone who’s creative and flexible in their approach. Include examples of innovative solutions you've implemented in your past roles, particularly in complex assessments and care planning.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our fantastic team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hampshire County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of a Senior Social Worker. Brush up on your knowledge of safeguarding, legal frameworks, and best practices in social work. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show that you’re genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work where you’ve successfully mentored colleagues or led complex assessments. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses. This will demonstrate your ability to handle the challenges of the role effectively.
✨Build Rapport
During the interview, focus on building a connection with your interviewers. Show your passion for working with children and families by sharing personal anecdotes or experiences that highlight your commitment to making a positive impact. A warm, engaging approach can set you apart.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare insightful questions about the team culture, support systems, and opportunities for professional development. This shows that you’re not just interested in the job, but also in how you can contribute to and grow within the organisation. It’s a great way to demonstrate your forward-thinking mindset.