At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families and deliver evidence-based interventions to prevent breakdowns.
- Company: Join a dynamic team within the Youth Engagement Service.
- Benefits: Generous leave, ongoing training, excellent pension, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with strong career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people and their families.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work and a passion for supporting vulnerable individuals.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Experienced Social Workers (Level 3) will be considered with a view to complete the senior practitioner progression route. This team will be based within the Youth Engagement Service alongside the Youth Engagement Team and the Youth Justice Service. You will be supported by your team and the wider service. The aim of the Youth Engagement Service is to provide a flexible and responsive service to reduce risk and vulnerability to child exploitation, criminality and episodes of missing from home and care.
We are a large team that work collectively and collaboratively to find the best ways to support individuals and address community issues. The new team will offer support to families alongside these services. We are looking to appoint a dynamic and enthusiastic team who can work intensively with families within a practice model. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a newly developed team and approach to practice that keeps families together.
The role you will play a key role in supporting and delivering Kirklees' Edge of Care provision. You will be instrumental in modelling and supporting the effective delivery of intense, evidence‑based interventions to families at risk of breakdown, using trauma‑informed, restorative, and strength‑based approaches. You will also lead on and work collaboratively with the Children Looked After Service on the reunification of those children and young people where it is safe for them to return home.
You will provide expert guidance and oversight on complex cases, ensuring robust safeguarding and risk management while promoting reunification where both safe and appropriate. You will support family‑lead practitioners in a way that promotes model adherence, strong multi‑agency working, home‑based interventions, and integrated step‑down programmes. You will deliver interventions and support others to do so and also support the team manager.
For a full list of the role requirements please see the attached Job Profile. The role will be dynamic as we develop our approach to supporting young people and their families. The working pattern will be full‑time between Monday and Friday.
Benefits
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Friendly and supportive team environment
- Ongoing training and career development
- Excellent pension scheme
- A range of family friendly policies, including flexible working
- Discounts with local and national retailers
- A wide range of well‑being initiatives including a cycle‑to‑work scheme and discounted KAL membership
This job is subject to a DBS check at the appropriate level. A conviction may not exclude candidates from appointment but will be considered as part of the recruitment process. We encourage applicants with all differing abilities and welcome applicants with a disability. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults, children and young people, and expect all staff to share this commitment.
Practitioner - Edge of Care Team employer: Kirklees Council
Join our dynamic Edge of Care Team in Kirklees, where you will be part of a supportive and collaborative environment dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the lives of young people and their families. We offer generous annual leave, ongoing training opportunities, and a range of well-being initiatives, ensuring that you thrive both personally and professionally while working towards keeping families together. With a strong commitment to safeguarding and inclusivity, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds to contribute to our mission of reducing risk and vulnerability in our community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Practitioner - Edge of Care Team
✨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 Kirklees 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 Kirklees 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 Kirklees 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 Kirklees 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 Practitioner - Edge of Care Team
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 Kirklees Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Kirklees 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 Kirklees 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.
