At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage a caseload of children in care and support their welfare.
- Company: Havering Council, dedicated to improving lives of vulnerable children.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid working, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: 6-month contract with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and positively impact children's lives.
- Qualifications: Must have social work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
The predicted salary is between 37.52 - 37.52 £ per hour.
Location: Havering, Romford Town Hall
Pay Rate: £37.52 per hour (Umbrella)
Working Hours: 36 hours per week
Contract Duration: 6 months
Team: Children in Care
Working Arrangement: Hybrid – 3 days per week in the office
About the Role
Havering Council is seeking an experienced and passionate Children's Social Worker to join its Children in Care team on an initial 6-month assignment. This is an excellent opportunity for a dedicated social worker with strong statutory experience and a commitment to achieving positive outcomes for children and young people in care. You will manage a varied caseload of up to 17 children, including approximately 3–4 cases involving care proceedings. You will play a key role in safeguarding children, supporting their welfare and ensuring that their care and permanency needs are met.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a caseload of up to 17 children in care, including cases involving care proceedings.
- Undertake direct work with children and young people to understand their wishes, feelings and needs.
- Complete life story work and contribute to effective care and permanency planning.
- Undertake parenting assessments, including together and apart assessments.
- Prepare court reports, statements and other relevant documentation.
- Apply relevant legislation and statutory guidance to inform practice and decision-making.
- Work collaboratively with families, carers, legal professionals and multi-agency partners.
- Ensure children receive appropriate support and that their safeguarding and welfare remain central to all interventions.
Essential Requirements
- Court Work and Legislation: Proven experience of court work, with a strong understanding of relevant legislation and statutory responsibilities within children's social care.
- Children in Care Experience: Experience working with children in care, including direct work, life story work, care planning and permanency planning.
- Parenting Assessments: Demonstrable experience of completing parenting assessments, including together and apart assessments.
Working Arrangements and Additional Information
- 36 hours per week.
- Full-time hours cannot be worked over condensed days.
- Hybrid working arrangement, with 3 days per week required in the office.
- Office location: Romford Town Hall, Havering.
- Council-provided equipment: Laptop and mobile phone.
- Expected assignment duration: 6 months.
- Must have a UK passport or a full right to work within the UK.
Qualifications and Registration
- Candidates must hold a recognised Social Work qualification.
- Must be registered with Social Work England and hold current registration.
Why Apply?
- Competitive rate of £37.52 per hour (Umbrella).
- Opportunity to work within an established Children in Care team.
- Hybrid working arrangements.
- A rewarding role where you can make a meaningful difference to the lives of vulnerable children and young people.
If you are an experienced Children's Social Worker with strong court experience and a passion for achieving positive outcomes for children in care, we would love to hear from you!
For more information, please contact Shivashni Govender at LinsCare.
CSW - Social Worker - Children in Care in Romford employer: LinsCare
Join our dedicated team in Colindale, London, where we prioritise a supportive and collaborative work culture that empowers our employees to make a meaningful impact in Adult Social Care. We offer competitive rates, ongoing professional development opportunities, and a commitment to person-centred practices that promote independence and wellbeing for both staff and residents. Experience the satisfaction of working in a role that truly values your expertise and fosters growth within a vibrant community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land CSW - Social Worker - Children in Care in Romford
✨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 LinsCare.
✨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 LinsCare!
✨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 LinsCare, 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 LinsCare 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 CSW - Social Worker - Children in Care in Romford
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 LinsCare:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to LinsCare! 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 LinsCare
✨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.
