At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and develop future social workers while working with vulnerable teenagers in County Durham.
- Company: Join Durham County Council, a leader in social work and community support.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, flexible working, and relocation support.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while nurturing the next generation of social workers.
- Qualifications: Experienced child and family social worker passionate about mentoring trainees.
The predicted salary is between 31650 - 40000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced children and families social worker keen to help develop the next generation of social workers in Durham? Are you passionate about working with vulnerable teenagers across County Durham? This brand new role could be the post for you!
WHAT IS INVOLVED?
We are expanding our very successful partnership with Frontline, by creating a new hub in our Adolescent Safeguarding and Exploitation Team (ASET), which is growing significantly. Our ASET team support young people who are at risk of, or experiencing, harm outside of the family home, including child exploitation, mental health, radicalisation and homelessness. This is an incredible opportunity to join us in a post which is one of a kind – this is the first hub based in a team with a focus on harm outside the home.
As a Consultant Social Worker you will hold a protected caseload and will have responsibility for a hub of typically five trainees, who you will support, manage and develop as they train to be social workers on the Approach Social Work programme. Your trainees will learn through observing your practice and gradually taking on more responsibility for working with the families you support.
You will assess them throughout their first year on the programme and recommend if they should qualify as social workers at the end of the year. You don’t need to already be a practice educator. You can work towards achieving stage two of the Practice Educator Professional Standards during your training.
To develop your practice you will participate in Frontline’s very high quality Consultant Social Worker Leadership Development Programme, delivered by top practice experts and systemic trainers.
HOW WILL WE SUPPORT YOU?
We are passionate about social work in County Durham. We are committed to providing a culture where good practice can flourish. We will ensure you are highly supported. You will benefit from high quality professional supervision, a great induction, and access to our strong learning and development offer alongside the fantastic offer from Frontline.
WHAT WILL I NEED?
You will need to be:
- an experienced child and family social worker who is keen to nurture future social workers.
- Passionate about working with vulnerable teenagers across County Durham.
Please refer to the attached Person Specification for the full criteria. If successful, you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.
OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFEGUARDING
Durham County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore if successful in your application, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be sought inclusive of a check of the Children’s Barred List and Adults Barred List, due to the position working in regulated activity.
Applicants should be aware that the DBS check will disclose both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings, in line with current legislation and will confirm whether an individual is barred from working with children, adults, or both.
TO FIND OUT MORE
We encourage you to contact Alexandra Botham Relationship and Development Manager at Frontline so that you understand the role well. You can contact Alexandra by e-mail at: alexandra.botham@thefrontline.org.uk. There is lots of really useful information about the Frontline programme and the role of the Consultant Social Worker at: Frontline programme. For information about the ASET team contact Sue Thornton, Team Manager by e-mail at: sue.thornton@durham.gov.uk.
OUR OFFER TO YOU
We offer a competitive rewards package that includes:
- attractive salaries
- a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years’ continuous local government service)
- membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme
- a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable
This post is eligible for a recruitment/retention allowance of £2,500 over 12 months (pro-rata for part time workers). Payments are made in equal instalments across a 12-month period alongside your pay. The allowances are subject to tax, National Insurance and pension contributions.
If you are looking to relocate to join us removal, lodging and separation expenses of up to £8,000 may be available to you if you live outside of County Durham and in excess of 30 miles in a straight line from your new base, along with a number of other criteria for eligibility. Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.
Consultant Social Worker – Frontline in North East employer: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
Kirklees Metropolitan Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment for Childcare Lawyers in Northallerton. With hybrid working options and a strong commitment to employee growth, the council fosters a culture of collaboration and professional development, making it an ideal place for those passionate about making a meaningful impact in children's services.
Contact Details:
Kirklees Metropolitan Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Consultant Social Worker – Frontline in North East
✨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 Consultant Social Worker – Frontline in North East
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.
