At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide compassionate support and safeguarding for children, families, and adults in need.
- Company: Join Julias House, an Outstanding-rated children's hospice service.
- Benefits: Permanent role with professional development and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Flexible hours required; travel across Dorset and Wiltshire essential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of families while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree-level Social Worker with safeguarding experience and a passion for holistic care.
The predicted salary is between 47810 - 54710 £ per year.
Every moment counts. Every memory matters. At Julias House, we are looking for a compassionate and experienced Social Worker and Safeguarding Lead to join our caring team across Dorset and Wiltshire. In this meaningful role, you will help provide exceptional care, protection and support to children, young people, families and adults connected with our service.
Main duties of the job
- Bring substantial post-qualification experience, specialist knowledge of safeguarding children and adults, and the confidence to provide expert advice, supervision and guidance across the organisation.
- Have strong experience of multi-agency working, including collaboration with local authority children's and adults services, Integrated Care Boards, NHS community and acute services, GPs, schools, police, safeguarding partnerships, mental health services, domestic abuse services and voluntary sector partners.
- Lead the social work provision for children, young people, families and adults supported by Julias House; planning, developing and strengthening social support services in close liaison with the Strategic Nursing Team.
- Represent Julias House at relevant multi-agency safeguarding meetings, partnership forums, professional meetings, case conferences, strategy discussions, discharge planning meetings and best-interest meetings, contributing to safeguarding developments and ensuring learning is shared and embedded across the service.
- Hold a caseload of children, young people, adults and families with significant social, practical and emotional needs, delivering responsive, high-quality social work support.
If you are passionate about holistic, family-centred care and are considering a career in a children's hospice, we will warmly support you to develop both professionally and clinically.
About us
Our service is rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission. Julias House supports more than 150 families across Dorset and Wiltshire, offering care in the community, at our hospices and in families' own homes. You will be joining a dedicated, supportive organisation where families are at the heart of everything we do. This is a permanent role working 35 hours per week. The role is based at our Dorset Head Office, with regular travel across both Dorset and Wiltshire, so a full driving licence and access to a car for business use are essential. Some flexibility is needed to cover days, evenings and weekends, as our care is provided at times requested by families and may vary.
Job responsibilities
What we are looking for:
- Registered Social Worker qualified to degree level, with current registration with Social Work England and relevant post-qualification experience at NHS Band 7 or equivalent level.
- Be able to demonstrate advanced knowledge and practical application of the legal and policy frameworks for safeguarding children and adults, including the Mental Capacity Act (MCA), Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), domestic abuse, exploitation, neglect, self-neglect and multi-agency safeguarding procedures.
- Experience, training or qualifications in working with children, young people, adults and families in palliative care, complex health needs and bereavement.
- Safeguarding training to Level 4, or a willingness to work towards this, is required.
- Line management experience would be an advantage, as the postholder will manage a small team working across both counties.
Qualifications
- Social Work Qualified to Degree level with current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) with relevant post-qualification experience at Band 6 or equivalent level.
- Evidence of CPD.
- Experience or training/qualification of working with children/Young People and their families in Palliative Care and Bereavement.
- Safeguarding Training to Level 4 or working towards.
- Disclosure and Barring Service Check. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Social Worker employer: Julia’s House Dorset/Wiltshire Children’s Hospices
At Julias House, we pride ourselves on being an outstanding employer dedicated to providing exceptional care and support to families across Dorset and Wiltshire. Our compassionate work culture fosters professional growth and development, ensuring that our Social Workers receive the training and resources needed to excel in their roles. With a focus on holistic, family-centred care, we offer a rewarding environment where every team member can make a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve.
Contact Details:
Julia’s House Dorset/Wiltshire Children’s Hospices Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker
✨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 Julia’s House Dorset/Wiltshire Children’s Hospices.
✨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 Julia’s House Dorset/Wiltshire Children’s Hospices!
✨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 Julia’s House Dorset/Wiltshire Children’s Hospices, 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 Julia’s House Dorset/Wiltshire Children’s Hospices 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
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 Julia’s House Dorset/Wiltshire Children’s Hospices:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Julia’s House Dorset/Wiltshire Children’s Hospices! 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 Julia’s House Dorset/Wiltshire Children’s Hospices
✨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.
