At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable children and families while managing complex caseloads.
- Company: Hertfordshire County Council, dedicated to innovative social work practices.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, welcome payment, hybrid working, and additional annual leave.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in staff supervision and management.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with strong support for professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 46731 - 51802 £ per year.
Starting Salary: £46,731 per annum + £6,924 market enhanced payment, progressing to £51,802 per annum + £6,768 market enhanced payment PLUS £1k one off welcome payment.
Hours: 37
Location: Base locations Apsley. Each team has a geographic area they cover which will require regular access to a vehicle in order to travel to meetings.
Contract Type: Permanent
Directorate: Children’s Services
All roles are full time and permanent unless otherwise stated below under 'about the role'.
About The Service
At Hertfordshire County Council, we believe that the children and young people in our care deserve the best. This means ensuring the social workers who work alongside them are trained, supported, and highly motivated. As an innovative authority, we are committed to developing motivational social work practice. You will be working at the forefront of best practice to deliver first class support to vulnerable children and families, managing complex and diverse caseloads.
By changing our approach to families, we are managing to keep far more children at home safely with their families. With a dedicated Diversity & Inclusion strategy and focus groups, we promote diversity and inclusion across the delivery of services and within our workforce. We offer a stimulating working environment, regular supervision meetings, and training opportunities to help you reach your full potential with the assistance and guidance of our specialist L&D teams.
The pandemic has brought about changes in the way we work, embedding important principles around 'Our Way Forward'. The overarching vision for Children’s Services is to work in a 'flexible and balanced' way with a focus on 'continuous improvement'; this is underpinned by a 'mix and blend' approach by adopting hybrid ways of working.
About The Role
Each Team is made up of a Team Manager, Consultant Social Worker(s), Senior Practitioners, Social Workers, Children’s Practitioners, and Family Practitioners. This role will include holding a small caseload of complex work and supports development into a management role in the future. This will include conducting supervision meetings and supporting other members of the team, providing management cover in the Team Manager's absence.
About You
It is essential that all Consultant Social Workers who apply have the following:
- Qualified and Social Work England Registered
- Experience of staff supervision and management
- Comprehensive knowledge of the challenges associated with working with Children and their Families
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Knowledge of legislation, guidance, policy, and procedures
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft IT package
- Full UK Driving Licence
- Regular Access to a vehicle
Please note there may be additional specific criteria depending on the team.
The role will require you to support social workers by assisting in court work, which will include attending court; therefore, a thorough knowledge of care proceedings and court experience is required.
Benefits Of Working For Us
- Monthly Market Enhanced Payment
- One off £1k Welcome Payment (terms & conditions apply)
- Lease Car Scheme
- Up to £6k relocation expenses (terms & conditions apply)
- Hybrid working model
- 5 Days additional annual leave entitlement
- SWE Registration Fee paid
How to apply
As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps) and includes any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert/job profile.
This position is open to secondments. If you work for HCC or any other Local Authority and would like to be considered as a Secondment contract, please ensure you complete the Secondment Form as part of your application.
Sponsorship: We are pleased to offer sponsorship of eligible roles that meet the UKV&I requirements for candidates who currently reside in the UK at the time of application.
Disability Confident: We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
Safeguarding: This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.
Driving Required: You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car.
English Fluency: The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
Consultant Social Workers (Children\'s) in Hemel Hempstead employer: Hertfordshire County Council
Contact Detail:
Hertfordshire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Consultant Social Workers (Children\'s) in Hemel Hempstead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former social workers in the field. They can give you insider info about the role and even put in a good word for you. Plus, it’s a great way to learn about the culture at Hertfordshire County Council.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions. Think about your experiences with complex cases and how you’ve supported team members. We want to hear your stories, so make them engaging and relevant!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for child welfare! During interviews, share why you’re committed to making a difference in children’s lives. This will resonate with the values of Hertfordshire County Council and set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and appreciate the opportunity to chat with the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Consultant Social Workers (Children\'s) in Hemel Hempstead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is up to date and tailored to the role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially in social work and supervision, so we can see how you fit into our team.
Showcase Your Skills: In your application, include specific examples that demonstrate your strong written and verbal communication skills. We want to know how you've tackled challenges in your previous roles!
Covering Paragraph Matters: Don’t skip the short covering paragraph! Use it to give us a snapshot of your skills and experiences that make you a great fit for the Consultant Social Worker role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hertfordshire County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of legislation, guidance, and policies related to children's social work. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just qualified but also genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully managed complex cases or supervised staff. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your achievements.
✨Demonstrate Communication Skills
Since strong written and verbal communication skills are essential, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. You might even want to do a mock interview with a friend to get comfortable discussing your experiences and answering potential questions.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or the hybrid working model. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if the organisation is the right fit for you.