At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families, manage caseloads, and contribute to training initiatives.
- Company: Kent County Council, committed to diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree in social work and experience with children and families.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
About you
Professionally registered with a degree in social work – CQSW, DipSW or equivalent – you will have a variety of post-qualification experience working with children and families. You will need a good understanding of legislative and policy frameworks. We are looking for the successful candidate to have a willingness to develop as a practitioner.
Important attributes include resilience and the ability to be a team player. You will act as a role model and mentor to less experienced colleagues, contributing to training initiatives. You will need to demonstrate that you can work in partnership effectively across a range of services to improve outcomes for our children.
About the area
The South Kent Children in Care Service supports children and their families from the Dover, Folkestone and Ashford areas of the county. You will be required to work across a wide geographical area.
About the Role
You will strive for excellence for our children in care. You will manage a varied caseload, working with children and young people living in a variety of placement settings. Work will include court proceedings, work with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, progressing permanency plans for children in long-term foster care, returning home, to the care of a family member or on to adoption. You will be passionate about ensuring our children have every opportunity to succeed.
The service has a supportive, established management team. You will be provided with regular, good quality supervision and you will have excellent opportunities for professional development. You will develop areas of specialist practice and bring your professional expertise to a range of cases including complex cases.
You will share your knowledge and experience with the team in a number of ways, including:
- joint visits
- court attendance
- case audits and reviews
you will have opportunities to contribute to working groups and multi-agency forums to support the development of new initiatives.
Transport
Whilst we foster a hybrid working approach, the role requires you to be mobile throughout a wide operational area including travelling around the county of Kent and beyond to transport children and their belongings and be available to do so in an emergency.
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.
Benefits
- A competitive starting salary, including market premiums subject to eligibility and criteria
- A supportive team working environment with regular supervision
- Access to a wide range of formal and informal CPD activities underpinned by a performance appraisal scheme and career progression pathway
- An annual appraisal linking your learning and development needs
- Generous annual leave allowance
- Flexible working opportunities including flexi time, remote and hybrid working – dependant on your job role and business need
- Relocation Package
- You will also have a range of professional development opportunities including the exciting social care academy and routes for progression
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/Welsh sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification.
Salary is dependent on experience and progression through the career grade is based on the fulfilment of required capabilities.
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.
Please note – if you are interested, please apply as soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply
Contact
For further information on this role, please contact:
Nicola Smith – 03000 411224
Experienced Social Worker in Dover employer: Kent County Council
KCC is an exceptional employer for experienced social workers, offering a supportive team environment and a commitment to professional development through regular supervision and access to a variety of CPD activities. With flexible working options and a focus on inclusivity, KCC fosters a culture where employees can thrive while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in the South Kent area.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Experienced Social Worker in Dover
✨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 in Dover
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.
