At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families in need, promoting positive change and providing practical advice.
- Company: Join Essex County Council, a supportive team dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career advancement in health and social care.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on families' lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Degree preferred or NVQ level 4 with experience in social work or related fields.
The predicted salary is between 37698 - 37698 £ per year.
This role is within one of the well-established Harlow Family Solutions teams. The team prides itself in its supportive culture, valuing the contribution of all team members, and developing experience and skills.
Responsibilities
- Working closely with families to build strong relationships with all family members.
- Promoting positive change with families.
- Providing both practical and specialist advice as well acting as a lead coordinator for additional support services where appropriate.
- Managing your own caseload.
- Managing safeguarding risks to children.
- Taking the lead on an area of professional practice for the team through supporting team members, and liaising with professionals outside of Family Solutions.
- Operating flexibly, working out of normal office hours when required to best meet the needs of the family.
- Determining the direction and actions required in order to progress cases forward on a day-to-day basis; recognising when key decisions regarding risks/concerns need to be referred to the Team Manager or Practice Supervisor.
- Acting as a source of advice, guidance and support to colleagues in relation to the thematic role held in order to support case discussions and mentor and guide colleagues.
- Undertaking holistic assessments of family needs to help create intervention plans and identify how outcomes can be achieved that fully reflect the family and young person’s views and aspirations; delivering interventions, including group work programs, to support families to make change.
- Facilitating complex family meetings, managing the potentially competing views of families and professionals, in order to find achievable solutions.
- Undertaking individual and group programmes of work to enable children and families to develop their skills to resolve issues and problems themselves; providing information and accompanying families to help access other local services.
- Providing specific practical, personal, and emotional support to families in their homes or other settings as part of an agreed plan in order to achieve agreed and sustainable family outcomes.
- Actively participating in regular supervision in order to review work and ensure effective interventions for families.
- Ensuring that the principles of effective practice are fully embedded in service delivery; working collaboratively with staff and partners to ensure effective risk management in line with the thresholds of the Effective Support and Guidance document to ensure that the Family Solutions team understands and follows the SET child protection procedures.
Essential
- Educated to degree level preferred but minimum NVQ level 4 or equivalent by experience in relevant thematic specialism such as social work, Domestic Abuse, Substance Misuse, Education, Mental Health, and Parenting.
- Significant practical experience of working with families with multiple and complex needs.
- Effective communication skills, good problem solving and assessment skills with a demonstrable track record of building and sustaining positive professional relationships with individuals and families with multiple and complex needs.
Desirable
- Experience of applying a solution focused approach and providing practical advice and support to families to enable them to achieve positive and sustainable outcomes.
- Ability to work in partnership with others to maximise outcomes for families in line with the Family Solutions operating principles.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team and to use supervision appropriately.
Family Worker (Link Role) in Harlow employer: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values the contributions of all team members within the Harlow Family Solutions team. Employees benefit from opportunities for professional growth and development, while working collaboratively to promote positive change in families' lives. With a focus on flexible working hours and a commitment to safeguarding, this role provides meaningful and rewarding employment in a community-focused environment.
Contact Details:
Kirklees Metropolitan Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Worker (Link Role) in Harlow
✨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.
We think you need these skills to ace Family Worker (Link Role) in Harlow
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.
