At a Glance
- Tasks: Identify and support children in need, ensuring timely responses to safeguarding concerns.
- Company: Kent's Children's Front Door Service, dedicated to safeguarding and supporting families.
- Benefits: Attractive benefits package, professional development, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with exposure to complex situations and collaborative working with partner agencies.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing advanced social work skills.
- Qualifications: Extensive post-qualification experience in UK children's social work required.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
Are you an experienced social worker looking to use your skills in a different way? Kent's Children's Front Door Service offers a unique opportunity to work at the heart of safeguarding. As part of one of our Front Door teams, you will play a crucial role in identifying children who may need help, protection, or support, ensuring that families receive the right response at the right time.
This is a role for social workers who have extensive post qualification experience in UK front line local authority children’s social work. It is a great opportunity for social workers who enjoy analysis, decision making and engaging with partner agencies. Every day you will respond to new requests for support and safeguarding concerns, gather and evaluate information, and use your professional judgement to make recommendations that can have a significant impact on children's lives.
Working within a fast-paced and supportive environment, the successful applicant will be working within a duty rota system with their team members, utilising core social work skills in assessment and analysis underpinned by the Kent Integrated Children's Services Practice Framework. They will further develop skills in risk assessment, threshold application, information sharing, and multi‑agency safeguarding. No two days are the same, providing exposure to a wide range of complex situations and opportunities to continually develop your practice.
Why join Kent's Front Door Service?
- Make a difference at the earliest point in a child's journey.
- Develop advanced skills in analysis, safeguarding and decision making.
- Liaise with police, health, education, and other partner agencies.
- Gain exposure to a diverse range of complex safeguarding issues.
- Be part of a supportive team environment.
- Enhance your professional development and broaden your social work experience.
- Benefit from KCC’s attractive benefits package including an annual retention market premium.
This role is ideal for an experienced social worker who enjoys critical thinking, collaborative working and making informed decisions in complex situations. If you are looking for a fresh challenge that will broaden your safeguarding expertise while allowing you to make a difference for children and families every day, we would love to hear from you.
This post is considered by Kent County Council to be a customer facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English/Welsh sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the job description/person specification.
This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure application to the Disclosure and Barring service and registration as a qualified Social Worker with Social Work England. This role is subject to holding a Full UK Driving Licence – The Council is committed to making reasonable adjustments so whilst this job requires the jobholder to drive your application will still be considered if you are unable to drive due to a disability.
Bryony Khadaroo | Service Manager – Children’s Front Door and Out of Hours Service | Kent Integrated Children’s Services I Kroner House, Eurogate Business Park | Ashford| TN24 8XU | (03000) 422259
About the Company: Work that works for you and us - let's talk flexibility! KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.
Experienced Social Worker - Front Door Service in Ashford employer: Kent County Council
Kent County Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff. With opportunities for professional growth in the health and social care sector, employees can make a meaningful impact in the lives of adults with disabilities while enjoying the benefits of working in a community-focused environment on the beautiful Isle of Sheppey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Experienced Social Worker - Front Door Service in Ashford
✨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 Kent County Council.
✨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 Kent County Council!
✨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 Kent County Council, 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 Kent County Council 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 Experienced Social Worker - Front Door Service in Ashford
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 Kent County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Kent County Council! 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 Kent County Council
✨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.
