At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families in need, ensuring their safety and wellbeing.
- Company: Knowsley Children's Services, dedicated to developing the next generation of social workers.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and access to a Social Work Academy for career growth.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with strong leadership and excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful difference in children's lives while building your social work career.
- Qualifications: Completed ASYE, registered with Social Work England, and a passion for improving outcomes.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Your ASYE is complete. Your career is just getting started. At Knowsley Children's Services we are investing in the next generation of social workers. If you've completed your ASYE and are looking for the right environment to develop your skills, build confidence and progress your career we'd love to hear from you.
You’ve completed your ASYE and are building confidence as a social worker. You're developing your practice, taking on more complex work and thinking about where you can truly grow your career. Here at Knowsley, we're looking for passionate Social Workers in the first stages of their post-ASYE journey to join our Child Protection and Cared for Children teams. These opportunities are ideal for practitioners with around 12-24 months of post-qualification experience who are ready to consolidate their learning, develop specialist skills and take the next step towards becoming an experienced practitioner.
If you're looking for a Local Authority that will invest in your development, provide support and give you the opportunity to make a meaningful difference to children and young people, we'd love to hear from you.
Why Knowsley?
We have made significant investment in our Children's Services. Our focus is simple: creating the conditions where Social Workers can do their best work with children and families. Here in Knowsley, we are committed to:
- Building strong relationships with children, families and partner agencies
- Providing a visible and approachable leadership team who know their workforce
- Manageable caseloads supported through regular oversight
- A culture of learning, reflection and continuous development
- Opportunities to progress and build a long-term career
- Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
We're proud of the supportive culture we've created and the investment we've made in developing our workforce through our growing Social Work Academy and clearly defined career progression pathways.
The Roles
Help and Protect Teams
As a Social Worker in our Help and Protect (Child Protection) Service, you will work directly with children and families where there are concerns about safety, wellbeing and welfare. You'll undertake assessments, develop plans, build strong relationships with children and families, and work alongside partners to ensure children receive the right support at the right time. This is an excellent opportunity to continue building confidence in statutory practice while working within a supportive team environment.
Cared for Children Teams
Our Cared for Children teams support children and young people who are in the care of the Local Authority. You'll develop meaningful relationships with children and young people, support permanence planning, work closely with carers and partner agencies, and help ensure that children in care achieve the best possible outcomes in all areas of their lives. This role offers the opportunity to develop expertise in relationship-based social work, corporate parenting and long-term planning for children and young people.
We’d love to hear from you if you:
- Have successfully completed your ASYE.
- Are registered with Social Work England.
- Have a passion for improving outcomes for children and young people.
- Are committed to developing their practice and continuing their professional learning.
- Build positive and effective relationships with children, families and professionals.
- Demonstrate strong assessment, analysis and communication skills.
- Are motivated, resilient and committed to making a difference.
Whether your experience has been in safeguarding, children in care, assessment or family support services, we would welcome your application.
What We Offer
Explore our full benefits: https://www.knowsley.gov.uk/yes/our-offer
- Competitive salary and generous benefits package.
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
- Strong leadership support and management oversight.
- Access to our Social Work Academy and progression pathways.
- Reflective supervision and continuous professional development.
- Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Employee wellbeing programme.
- Generous annual leave entitlement.
- Excellent opportunities for career progression and advancement.
What makes Knowsley different?
At Knowsley, we know the years immediately after ASYE are some of the most important in a social worker's career. That's why we've invested in a dedicated Social Work Academy, providing access to:
- Group supervision and action learning sets
- Practice development opportunities
- Mentoring and coaching
- Career development support
- Structured progression pathways
We're committed to helping social workers build the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to progress into Experienced Social Worker roles through our structured development pathways and support from the Social Work Academy.
This is an exciting time to join us and help shape the future of Children's Services in Knowsley while building a rewarding and successful career.
For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Samantha Madden, Social Work Academy Team Manager at Samantha.Madden@knowsley.gov.uk or the Social Work Academy at socialworkacademy@knowsley.gov.uk.
We welcome applications from residents and beyond, regardless of background, belief or identity, recognising the value that diversity brings to our organisation. We particularly welcome applications from individuals from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and candidates with disabilities as we acknowledge their underrepresentation in our workforce.
Essential Requirement: You must hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle for work purposes, as the role involves travelling to locations across the borough and wider region. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from disabled candidates. If you are unable to meet the driving requirement because of a disability or medical condition covered by the Equality Act 2010, please contact us to discuss whether reasonable adjustments or alternative arrangements may enable you to undertake the role.
If you are interested in this vacancy, please upload your CV along with a supporting statement as one document in PDF or Word format. Your CV and supporting statement should be tailored to reflect the competencies within the person specification. Please note if a CV and supporting statement does not reflect the person specification it is unlikely to be shortlisted.
How to apply: To upload your CV you will need to click on the link below and create an account with Jobs Go Public if you have not already done so. You will also be required to input your name and email address and will be invited to complete an equal opportunities questionnaire.
Social Worker - Child Protection and Cared for Children Teams employer: Knowsley Council
Knowsley Council is an award-winning Local Authority that prioritises fair employment and inclusivity, making it an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful work in community service. With a commitment to employee well-being, flexible working options, and a focus on professional growth, we foster a supportive environment where your contributions directly enhance the lives of residents. Join us in our mission to create cleaner, safer, and greener neighbourhoods while being part of a diverse team dedicated to excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker - Child Protection and Cared for Children Teams
✨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 Knowsley 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 Knowsley 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 Knowsley 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 Knowsley 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 Social Worker - Child Protection and Cared for Children Teams
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 Knowsley Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Knowsley 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 Knowsley 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.
