At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families using a collaborative approach to create lasting change and stability.
- Company: Dynamic Family Help service focused on empowering families and children.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and impactful community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in families' lives while working with a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work or related fields, strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Job Introduction
Grade 9 and Grade 10 posts available.
Our developing Family Help service aims to provide targeted support and help to families so that children and families can thrive and more families are able to stay together.
We recognise that providing the right type of support at the right time for families is key to working effectively and that lasting relationships with professionals is central to working alongside families and their networks.
Working alongside families using our Restorative Model of practice, we use family led-decision making strategies and Motivational Interviewing skills to help families access creative and targeted support packages that will help to develop meaningful and lasting change for families.
This includes increased capacity to manage complex parenting challenges and reducing risks within family networks and across our community.
Our Family Help service is delivered through the ‘Family Safeguarding model’ which delivers a whole family approach to support.
Social workers and Family Help practitioners will co-ordinate the support offered to families drawing on the knowledge and skillset of experienced Child Practitioners, Drug and Alcohol practitioners’ Probation Officers, Domestic Abuse Workers, and Mental Health Practitioners.
The Family Safeguarding programme is used to inform our direct work with families and our model of supervision is reflective group supervision involving those practitioners involved in supporting a family.
We are based centrally at Cable Plaza, Dudley Waterfront but our Family Help service is a locality-based model.
Teams working closely alongside Dudley’s 5 Family Hubs provide early support to families through their links with our local partners.
As the Family help service continues to develop, improved relationships between Family Help practitioners and our local partners will enable more families to be supported earlier when problems and difficulties are easier to address.
We believe our children and families deserve the consistency and stability in the support provided.
Our service works with families who require a single assessment, a co-ordinated plan including child protection plans and we undertake pre-proceedings and care proceedings work.
We recognise that strong permanency planning for our children is key to supporting family relationships and networks, even when it is not safe for children to remain within the care of a parent.
Our kinship offer is developing and we work closely with our kinship team to secure creative and supportive plans for family networks.
Responsibilities
- Coordinate the support offered to families drawing on the knowledge and skillset of experienced Child Practitioners, Drug and Alcohol practitioners’ Probation Officers, Domestic Abuse Workers, and Mental Health Practitioners.
- Apply the Family Safeguarding programme to inform direct work with families.
- Participate in reflective group supervision involving the practitioners supporting a family.
- Provide a single assessment and develop a coordinated plan including child protection plans.
- Undertake pre-proceedings and care proceedings work.
- Work with the kinship team to secure creative and supportive plans for family networks.
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker - Family Help
✨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 Hurst Green.
✨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 Hurst Green!
✨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 Hurst Green, 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 Hurst Green 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 - Family Help
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 Hurst Green:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Hurst Green! 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 Hurst Green
✨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.
