At a Glance
- Tasks: Supervise and support kinship foster carers to ensure children's wellbeing.
- Company: Join the friendly and supportive Gloucestershire County Council team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of an award-winning team focused on systemic social work practice.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while enjoying a positive work environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work, full driving licence, and DBS clearance required.
We are looking for an experienced Supervising Social Worker to join our friendly and supportive Kinship Support Team.
Reward and support
- Between £39,152 – £47,181 per annum subject to experience
- £2,000 retention payment*
- £4,000 welcome payment*
- Up to £8,000 relocation policy**
- Flexible and agile working opportunities
- 25.5 days annual leave rising to 30.5 days after 5 years continuous service (pro rata for part-time staff)
- Option to purchase 10 days of additional leave per year (pro rata for part-time staff)
- Family friendly policies and benefits to help support you and your family
- Supportive and positive working environment with regular, robust supervision
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that provides free, confidential counselling and advice for employees, available 24 hours a day, online and by telephone
- An in-house Occupational Health service
- Employee discount scheme
- Links to employee networks such as Prism (LGBT+) and the Young Employees Network
- Career development and qualification opportunities
- Access to our Social Work Academy
- Cycle to Work scheme (eligibility criteria and t&cs apply)
- Green Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme (eligibility criteria and t&cs apply)
*Please note that retention payments are subject to terms and conditions as well as tax and national insurance deductions.
**Please note that our relocation policy is subject to terms and conditions.
About the team
Having recently launched our Kinship Local Offer, this is an exciting time to join the Local Authority and play a key role in shaping and strengthening support for Kinship Foster Carers across the county. Our Kinship Support Team works closely with carers and children’s social workers to ensure children grow up in safe, stable, and nurturing homes. The team oversees all private fostering arrangements within the county, an important safeguarding responsibility. This includes regular visits to children and young people to ensure their wellbeing and that placements meet statutory requirements.
About you
You will provide supervision, guidance, and practical support to kinship foster carers, helping them to thrive in their role. This includes regular visits to children and young people to ensure their wellbeing and that placements meet statutory requirements. We offer a flexible working approach, including opportunities for home working, which can be discussed further at interview. If you are passionate about making a difference and want to be part of a team that is driving forward positive change in kinship care, we would love to hear from you.
As well as your experience, there are some things we require of you to be successfully appointed to this post:
- A full driving licence and willingness to drive
- DBS clearance (Enhanced Adults and Children’s)
- To have completed your ASYE year (if you qualified after 2012)
How to apply
For an informal chat about this role, please contact Cherrine.Watts@gloucestershire.gov.uk. We reserve the right to close an advertisement earlier than the stated closing date if we receive a suitable number of applications.
Supervising Social Worker in Gloucester employer: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
Gloucestershire County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and positive work environment for Supervising Social Workers. With competitive salaries, generous leave policies, and a commitment to employee development through our Social Work Academy, we empower our staff to thrive while making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families. Our flexible working options and strong focus on family-friendly policies further enhance the appeal of joining our dedicated Kinship Support Team in the vibrant community of Gloucester.
Contact Details:
Kirklees Metropolitan Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Supervising Social Worker in Gloucester
✨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 Metropolitan 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 Metropolitan 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 Metropolitan 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 Metropolitan Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
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 Metropolitan Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Kirklees Metropolitan 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 Metropolitan 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.
