At a Glance
- Tasks: Join the Adult Safeguarding Team to support adults with care needs and conduct assessments.
- Company: KCC, a forward-thinking council committed to diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunities for specialist training and career progression in a dynamic team.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your career in social care.
- Qualifications: Experience in safeguarding and staff supervision, with a positive, collaborative attitude.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Adult Safeguarding Team in West Kent, as we enhance our locality working practice and put the person and good practice at the heart of what we do. We work with adults with a range of care and support needs placing individuals at the centre of their support.
You will undertake work of varying levels of complexity including Care Act Assessments, Mental Capacity Act (MCA) Assessments, Court of Protection applications and S42 safeguarding enquiries. Our social care interventions are structured around the three pillars of excellent practice, exceptional innovation, and meaningful measures. Therefore, our work is orientated around building relationships with the individual, their families and carers. We engage with communities early on to help people feel empowered to find trusted help and support locally from a range of sources.
About You
You will have experience of managing risk and completing safeguarding enquiries. You will be able to demonstrate expertise in the supervision and development of staff, including performance management. We are looking for future employees who have a positive, forward-thinking attitude, using strengths-based practice with individuals which is built around their desired outcomes and goals. Our teams are imaginative, locally focused and flexible, and we are searching for senior practitioners with a likeminded approach, working collaboratively as part of a team.
You will hold 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.
Our Support Offer
In return, we offer an attractive benefits package and a commitment to ensuring that you achieve a healthy work-life balance and opportunities for flexible working arrangements that meet business need. We offer generous market premium payments (subject to eligibility). You will also be entitled to a generous annual leave allowance and the local government pension scheme. You will have excellent opportunities for professional development with access to our social care academy, progression routes and our newly launched practice framework. We will support you to consolidate your skills and knowledge, assisting you to develop areas of specialist practice development such as Approved Mental Health Professional Training, Best Interest Assessor Training and Practice Educator training. You will receive regular professional supervision and have the opportunity to critically reflect on your practice. You will be supported to develop your practice and progress your career.
We are increasingly accessible to the public outside of traditional office hours, as we move towards an 8 am to 8 pm, 7 days a week service to ensure service needs are met. 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 post is considered by KCC 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 sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements.
Contact Details
For more information about the role, please contact Ms Charley Melville, Community Team Manager.
About The Company
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.
Senior Practitioner - Adult Safeguarding Team in West Kent in England employer: Kent County Council
As a KPAS Attendance Officer with Kent County Council, you will be part of a dedicated team committed to improving school attendance for children and young people across West Kent. The Council fosters a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion, offering flexible working arrangements and opportunities for professional development. With a focus on making a meaningful impact in the community, this role provides a unique chance to engage with various stakeholders while enjoying the benefits of a collaborative and dynamic work environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner - Adult Safeguarding Team in West Kent in England
✨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 Senior Practitioner - Adult Safeguarding Team in West Kent in England
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.
