At a Glance
- Tasks: Support adults at risk, ensuring their safety and wellbeing through safeguarding processes.
- Company: Join a dynamic Safeguarding Team in West Kent focused on innovative care solutions.
- Benefits: Flexible working, professional development, and a commitment to work-life balance.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for career progression and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in social care.
- Qualifications: Experience with adults in social care and a willingness to pursue NVQ qualifications.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are recruiting Community Social Care Officers with a range of different skills and experience.
About Us
This is an exciting opportunity to join our Safeguarding Team across West Kent. Our work focuses on safeguarding adults who may be at risk of abuse or neglect, ensuring that their safety, rights and wellbeing are central to all decision-making. You will work with adults with a wide range of care and support needs, placing individuals at the centre of safeguarding processes and outcomes. In this role, you will undertake safeguarding enquiries under Section 42 of the Care Act, contribute to risk assessments, and work closely with individuals, their carers, and a wide range of partner agencies. You will support timely and proportionate responses to safeguarding concerns, including crisis intervention where required, and undertake Mental Capacity Act assessments as part of safeguarding activity. You will be supervised by an experienced registered practitioner and supported to develop your safeguarding practice. Our safeguarding interventions are underpinned by the three pillars of excellent practice, exceptional innovation, and meaningful measures. We prioritise relationship-based practice, working collaboratively with individuals, families, carers and partners. We engage early with communities and professionals to promote prevention, empowerment and strengths-based safeguarding approaches, helping people to access trusted support and protection locally.
About You
You will have experience of working with adults with social care needs and of undertaking initial assessments, ideally within a safeguarding or statutory context. You will demonstrate a clear understanding of safeguarding principles, Making Safeguarding Personal, and proportionate risk management. A willingness to undertake an NVQ in Care Level 2 and 3 alongside Mathematics and English is required. You must also possess:
- Experience of working within a multi-agency safeguarding environment.
- Knowledge of relevant social care and safeguarding legislation, including the Care Act 2014 and the Mental Capacity Act.
- An understanding of risk, protection planning and defensible decision-making.
- Financial awareness relevant to care and support planning.
- Good computer literacy and report writing skills.
- Excellent interpersonal, mediation and negotiation skills.
- The ability to work in partnership with individuals and partner agencies to identify services and community resources that promote safety and wellbeing.
We are looking for future employees who demonstrate a positive, forward‑thinking approach, can work collaboratively as part of a safeguarding team, and are committed to promoting safe, person‑centred outcomes. 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.
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. You will have excellent opportunities for professional development with access to our social care academy, progression routes that include opportunities to undertake the social work apprenticeship, and our newly launched practice framework. 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. 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.
We operate a hybrid working model which includes working from our West Kent Offices Worral House (Kings Hill), Sessions House (Maidstone), Civic Centre (Gravesend), Avenue Of Remembrance (Sittingbourne) and at home. 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 soon as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.
Social Care Officer in Maidstone employer: Kent County Council
Join our dynamic Safeguarding Team in West Kent as a Community Social Care Officer, where you will play a vital role in protecting vulnerable adults and ensuring their wellbeing. We offer a supportive work culture that prioritises professional development through our social care academy, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to work-life balance. With a focus on relationship-based practice and collaboration, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community while being part of an inclusive workforce that values diversity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Care Officer in Maidstone
✨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 Social Care Officer in Maidstone
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.
