At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in care and help them achieve positive outcomes.
- Company: Leicester City Council, dedicated to improving lives of children and families.
- Benefits: Generous leave, pension scheme, flexible working, and training opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and enjoy a diverse, rewarding career.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and young people.
- Qualifications: Post-qualifying experience in social work and relevant qualifications required.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Full Time / 37 Hours Per Week / Permanent
Come and join us within our Child in Care Service. We are currently recruiting for an experienced Level 2 or Level 3 Social Worker to join our team. This is a great time to be part of Leicester City's ever-improving service ensuring children are at the heart of our work and to practice great Social Work.
To help deliver our vision we are looking for an experienced social worker to join one of our teams who is enthusiastic, passionate and has a strong track record of working with children, young people and their families to achieve positive outcomes. You'll play a key role in improving the life for families and children in Leicester.
As part of our commitment to ensuring you achieve your full professional capabilities, you'll benefit from furthering your skills and knowledge through appropriate courses. At Leicester City Council we are committed to supporting your continual professional development and do this in a variety of ways. We offer agile and flexible working that supports a healthy work life balance. You'll have the ability to work outside normal office hours and visit locations across the city.
What you’ll be doing
You will be working to achieve good outcomes for children in care aged 0-18 years old, supporting robust care planning and pathway planning and delivering on the statutory requirements for our looked after children. You will be supporting children and young people in foster care, residential care and supported living arrangements. We have a growing group of unaccompanied asylum seeking children and young people who we refer to as children or young people seeking safety. Building strong relationships and enabling their voices to be heard will be key. We have a strong drive to support reunification plans to parents' care where appropriate and enable care arrangements to move towards special guardianship care arrangements if this is the right plan for them. The social work you will do is diverse and rewarding making a difference to the lives of our looked after children and young people. You will have the advantages of working with an experienced and established team who will share their practice wisdom and experiences.
What You’ll need
You'll have a post qualifying experience as a Social Worker. You'll have knowledge of relevant child legislation, guidance standards and regulations as they relate to fostering, adoption and special fostering arrangements. With confidence, you'll be able to confront challenges, balance risk and make appropriate decisions. You must have recognised qualifications in Social Work e.g. CQSW, DIP SW or CSS, SWE registration. You also need to hold a full driving license and will be assisted to complete a DBS check.
What We Can Offer You
You'll enjoy generous annual leave, membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme and the option of flexible working. We'll also give you the chance to develop your skills and expertise with a variety of training and development opportunities. In addition, you can choose from a number of flexible benefits, including discounts on city buses and trains and help with relocation to Leicester, where appropriate.
Join us
We're committed to recruiting a diverse and highly talented workforce as we continue to build a council that is fitting and representative of our great city. That's why we've designed our recruitment process to put you at ease; make you feel welcome and bring the best out of you. We'll do all we can to make our recruitment process as fair as possible.
Region: Central Location: Halford House Salary: GBP 39,152 - GBP 46,142 Per Year Package: Total benefit value (includes pension contribution and full holiday entitlement): GBP 62,918.92 Contractual hours: 37 Basis: Full time This position is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.
Child in Care Social Worker Level 2 or Level 3 in Leicester employer: Leicester City Council
Leicester City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. As a Trainee Accountant, you will benefit from a structured training programme, mentorship, and the opportunity to work on real projects while enjoying flexible working arrangements and generous annual leave. With a clear pathway to a permanent qualified accountant role, this position not only provides valuable experience but also fosters ambition and leadership in the finance sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Child in Care Social Worker Level 2 or Level 3 in Leicester
✨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 Leicester City 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 Leicester City 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 Leicester City 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 Leicester City 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 Child in Care Social Worker Level 2 or Level 3 in Leicester
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 Leicester City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Leicester City 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 Leicester City 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.