At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families through adoption, providing crucial assessments and guidance.
- Company: Essex County Council, dedicated to making a positive impact in the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Mobile role with opportunities for career growth and community engagement.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and help shape the futures of children in need.
- Qualifications: Recognised social work qualification and experience in challenging family situations.
The predicted salary is between 36124 - 51834 £ per year.
Social Worker – Family Finding, Adoption
Permanent, Full Time
£36,124 to £51,834 per annum
Location: Basildon
Working Style: Community-based worker
Please note this vacancy is available as a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity for up to 2 years.
What You’ll Do:
- Assess complex social care needs, offering crucial support to children and families.
- Provide and deliver comprehensive plans for direct work with children to prepare them for a move to an adoptive placement.
- Work closely with birth families to provide support and guidance in relation to adoption.
- Attend adoption craft and profiling events, some of which will happen at weekends, to support with family finding for children.
- Work closely with our partners within the Adopt East Alliance.
- Engage directly with young children, facilitating a deep understanding of their care plans.
- Develop adoption support plans that empower families and build resilience.
- Navigate the statutory legal framework, ensuring timely intervention when needed.
- Collaborate with internal and external partners, stakeholders, and the voluntary sector to provide comprehensive support.
- Conduct assessments and plan responses to safeguard children and promote their welfare.
- Champion a child-centred approach, emphasising early intervention and prevention.
- Influence inter-agency planning and decision-making to proactively shape positive outcomes.
- Communicate assessments and professional judgments clearly, both orally and in writing.
- Work with families, communities, and individuals to support strategic aims and promote well-being.
- Manage individual and shared targets within the performance management framework.
Your Experience:
- A recognised social work qualification and current registration with Social Work England.
- Continued professional development aligned with relevant competency frameworks.
- Experience in challenging social and family situations within a social work setting.
- Strong communication skills with adults and children, building rapport with diverse groups.
- Direct work experience with children, showcasing your ability to connect on a personal level.
- Proven ability to manage competing demands, meeting required deadlines.
- Establishing strong relationships with partners, agencies, and the local community.
- Understanding the value-for-money delivery of interventions balanced against need.
- Clear decision-making skills to highlight and mitigate potential risks associated with intervention.
The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.
We’re committed to interviewing all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interviewing all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) you may be required to register with the DBS update service if your role requires a DBS check. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate.
For queries, email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk.
Adoption & Family Finding Social Worker in Chelmsford employer: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer for social workers, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment in Basildon. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will have access to ongoing training and professional growth opportunities while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families. Our community-based approach fosters a culture of teamwork and resilience, ensuring that you are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of social care.
Contact Details:
Kirklees Metropolitan Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Adoption & Family Finding Social Worker in Chelmsford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, attend local events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to social work scenarios. Think about how you would handle complex cases or support families in need. We recommend role-playing with a friend to boost your confidence and refine your responses.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for child welfare and family support during interviews. Share specific examples from your experience that highlight your skills in building relationships and navigating challenging situations. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly cares.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our mission to support children and families.
We think you need these skills to ace Adoption & Family Finding Social Worker in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Adoption & Family Finding Social Worker. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your skills in communication and relationship-building have made a difference in your previous roles. We want to see real examples of your impact!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your thoughts are organised and easy to follow. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly and allows you to keep track of your application status easily!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kirklees Metropolitan Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of a Family Finding Social Worker. Brush up on your knowledge of adoption processes, child welfare laws, and the specific needs of children in care. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your past experiences in social work, especially those involving challenging family situations. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've successfully navigated complex cases and built relationships with families and children. This will demonstrate your capability and readiness for the role.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since strong communication skills are crucial, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Be ready to explain your assessments and professional judgments in a way that’s easy to understand. This will highlight your ability to connect with diverse groups and convey important information effectively.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, the support available for social workers, and the challenges faced in the role. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the organisation aligns with your values and working style.
