At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of social workers, manage caseloads, and ensure effective safeguarding practices.
- Company: Join a supportive council dedicated to community wellbeing and social inclusion.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities for career advancement.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with a focus on personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: 5 years of social work experience and strong supervisory skills.
The predicted salary is between 36840 - 40000 £ per year.
The main purpose of this job is to work as a senior social worker with a caseload and supervisory responsibility for a group of staff within a large team managed by the operational manager. Risk management and safeguarding will be key parts of the role (including children's safeguarding where relevant); post holders will be expected to develop expertise in this area and offer advice to others. Post holders will also be expected to promote prevention and personalisation, and adopt a strength based approach in the management of all case work.
Summary of Responsibility and Personal Duties
- To work as part of a multi agency team, ensuring integration and seamless delivery of services to service users and their carers.
- Ensure risk management and adult safeguarding is effectively embedded within practice and responded to appropriately.
- Be aware of any potential children's safeguarding concerns and liaise as appropriate with Children's Social Care Services taking into account children's safeguarding procedure.
- In personal professional practice (and that of supervised staff) promote an ethos of helping people help themselves or one another through initiatives to facilitate and support increased individual and community capacity.
- This includes utilising own resources, promoting social inclusion and community networks, reciprocal support and sustainable caring roles, through taking a strength based approach to assessment.
- Maintain a strong focus on improved outcomes around independence and personalisation, including the promotion of enablement and linking the service user to community based support services that enhance personal wellbeing.
- Promote the principles of self directed support and outcome based support planning, enabling service users and their carers to make choices about how their Personal Budget is managed and the services purchased to meet agreed outcomes.
- Manage own work and the work of others as delegated by the operational manager.
- Act as “Safeguarding Adults Manager” in designated cases; ensuring that all aspects of the safeguarding process has been carried out and has been appropriately concluded.
- Carry out any assessments and service user reviews to a high standard and in a timely manner in accordance with procedures reflecting the needs and outcomes of the service user and carer.
- Ensuring personalisation and choice and control is embedded in practice.
- Present cases to Vulnerable Adults panel for funding.
- Chair complex case reviews and safeguarding adults case conferences.
- To work within a performance management framework, using performance management information to improve service delivery.
- Offer professional supervision to social work staff on a regular basis, to be recorded and in line with the departments supervision policy.
- Ensure that supervised staff are offered personal appraisals in line with Council Policy and are appropriately directed to training and CPD opportunities.
- Ensure that supervised staff are monitored in terms of their performance and conduct, with any concerns being reported to the operational manager for advice on how to proceed.
- Working as directed by the operational manager, audit and review electronic case records on a regular basis to ensure practice standards are met/exceeded. Take remedial action as necessary.
- Working as directed by the operational manager respond as required to complaints regarding the service.
- Promote joint working at a frontline level, working in a multi-disciplinary way with colleagues in other departments of the Council and in Health.
- Attend team meetings and foster a positive team working.
- Ensure adherence to legislation, guidance, procedure and policy – both in relation to safeguarding vulnerable adults (and children where relevant) and as an employee of the council.
- Ensure services are delivered in accordance with the Council's Equal Opportunities and Environmental Policies.
- Undertake any other duties commensurate with the level of the post.
- Maintain and update own technical knowledge and continuous professional development e.g. take a lead for specific area of practice across services.
- To deputise for the operational manager as required.
- Maintain registration with the HCPC.
- Adhere to both the Council's Code of Conduct and the HCPC Code of Practice at all times.
Adults Senior Social Worker 5 yrs . in Catford employer: Lewisham
As a leading employer in the social care sector, we offer a supportive and collaborative work environment where senior social workers can thrive. Our commitment to professional development ensures that employees have access to training and growth opportunities, while our focus on risk management and safeguarding promotes a culture of safety and respect. Located in a vibrant community, we encourage a strength-based approach to service delivery, empowering both staff and service users to achieve meaningful outcomes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Adults Senior Social Worker 5 yrs . in Catford
✨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 Lewisham.
✨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 Lewisham!
✨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 Lewisham, 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 Lewisham 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 Adults Senior Social Worker 5 yrs . in Catford
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 Lewisham:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Lewisham! 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 Lewisham
✨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.
