At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families and children through assessments and ongoing care in a dynamic team.
- Company: Join Southend City Council's passionate Fostering Kinship & Recruitment Service.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, flexible working, and excellent training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Must have a recognised Social Work qualification and 2+ years experience with foster carers.
- Other info: Hybrid role with supportive team culture and career growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Your new role Southend City Council's Fostering Kinship & Recruitment Service is looking to appoint a permanent, full-time Social Worker. You will be joining an energetic, inspirational, passionate and resilient team whose aim is to achieve positive outcomes for the children and young people that require a service from the team. Their goals and vision are about keeping families together where it is safe to do so. They work with each family's strengths to help them meet the challenges they face. When families are referred to the team, they want them to experience a quality and timely assessment, where they develop positive relationships with the family members that are being assessed and supported.
Key responsibilities will involve:
- Assessing kinship carers and Special Guardians during care proceedings and offering ongoing support.
- Working collaboratively with colleagues across the department and with partners to deliver high-quality and responsive social work.
- Recruiting, training, assessing, supervising and supporting Foster Carers in their role of looking after children and young people.
- Investigating, evaluating and analysing information on cases, demonstrating clarity of assessment, reliability of information, evidence in conclusions and realistic action plans.
- Developing practice which takes a holistic view of the individual, locating them in their immediate and extended social circles and having full regard to their overall development needs.
The team have an average of 15 cases per person. Duty will be undertaken in the office approx 3 days a month, with an on-site team meeting every other week. The post is hybrid, but you will be expected to be on-site a minimum of 2 days a week.
To be successful in this position you must be able to work in the UK, have a recognised Social Work qualification and be registered with the Social Work England and have completed your ASYE. It is essential that you have 2+ years experience within a with foster carers and have a working knowledge of fostering regulations and national minimum standards. You must have experience of Reg 24 and Form F assessments, along with knowledge and interest in Special Guardianship and Connected Persons. You will need strong communication skills and be able to organise yourself and others. In addition, you will need to possess a driving licence and have use of a car.
When joining the council, you can enjoy a range of benefits including: 25 days annual leave, flexible working and excellent training and development opportunities. They are committed to ensuring that you are supported in this varied and challenging role with the appropriate level of training.
If you are interested in this role, please click 'apply online' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV.
Fostering Kinship & Recruitment Team - Social Worker Permanent in Chelmsford employer: Hays
Contact Detail:
Hays Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Fostering Kinship & Recruitment Team - Social Worker Permanent in Chelmsford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who have experience with fostering and kinship care. They might know about opportunities that aren't advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of fostering regulations and national minimum standards. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to keeping families together and supporting children effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your communication skills! During interviews, demonstrate how you can build positive relationships with families and colleagues. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in past roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Fostering Kinship & Recruitment Team - Social Worker Permanent in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your experience with foster carers and any relevant assessments you've done, as this will show us you're a great fit for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with our mission of keeping families together. Be genuine and let your personality come through!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since strong communication is key in this role, make sure your application is clear and well-structured. Use concise language and avoid jargon, so we can easily see your ability to convey information effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right place and allows us to process it more efficiently. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of fostering regulations and national minimum standards. Familiarise yourself with Reg 24 and Form F assessments, as well as Special Guardianship and Connected Persons. This will show that you're not just qualified, but genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
With 2+ years of experience under your belt, be ready to share specific examples from your past work. Think about times when you've successfully assessed kinship carers or supported foster families. Concrete examples will help demonstrate your skills and how you can contribute to the team.
✨Communicate Clearly
Strong communication skills are a must for this role. During the interview, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You might even want to prepare answers to common questions about how you would handle challenging situations with families or colleagues.
✨Be Yourself
The team is looking for someone who fits into their energetic and passionate culture. Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through during the interview. Share your motivations for wanting to work in social care and how you align with their vision of keeping families together.