At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert social work services to support children and families in complex situations.
- Company: Join a dedicated team committed to making a difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with opportunities for career advancement and mentorship.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your skills in a challenging yet rewarding role.
- Qualifications: Substantial experience in statutory Children Social Care and a Practice Educators Award is desirable.
The predicted salary is between 37000 - 44962 £ per year.
To work within a Resilience framework, to provide a comprehensive and effective integrated social work service, which responds at a higher level in complex situations to the needs of children and their families in a timely manner, within statutory guidelines and the statutory obligations of the council. The post holder will have the skills and ability to practice at a higher level which includes deputising for the line manager in circumstances where the line manager is not available, or they are delegated to act in a line management position by the designated Head of Service.
To take a lead role in a specialist area of work as directed by the departmental policies and procedures. The post holder will require substantial post qualifying experience in a statutory Children Social Care setting. It will be desirable for the post holders to have a Practice Educators Award and if not, there will be an expectation that this award is achieved within the first year of employment. These post holders are experienced social workers who will be more autonomous in their job. They will demonstrate expert and effective practice in complex situations; and be able to assess and manage higher levels of risk in their own and that of other less experienced social workers.
To assess, plan, implement and evaluate safeguarding and permanence measures at a high level of complexity within their own cases and support and mentor less experienced social workers; to ensure all children are given the opportunity to reach their full potential. These post holders should be active participants of the Workforce Development Programme; they will be Practice Educators and assessors to trainee Practice Educators. They will support less experienced social workers and be assessors for NQSWs in the teams in their Assessed and Supported Year in Employment.
These post holders will work to a structured time management practice; submitting reports, assessments and plans within regulated timescales. These post holders will be competent in all areas of the Knowledge and Skills Statements for Child and Family social workers in addition they will have Competency in the Knowledge and Skills Statement: Achieving Permanence.
Key accountabilities:
- Professional Direction and Case Management
The post holder will uphold the HCPC Proficiency for Social Workers and maintain an updated portfolio with evidence of continuous professional development. The post holder will maintain updated Professional Registration with the HCPC or any subsequent statutory registration body. The post holder will provide focused and purposeful social work interventions, within a Resilience framework, with explicit aims and objectives about desired outcomes within the context of managing risk to children.
The post holder will demonstrate a high level of understanding of complexity which applies to the role and be able to adequately respond to these in a timely purposeful manner which meets the Nolan Standards.
Complexity Scenarios
- Multi agency input
- Complex family/organisational dynamics
- Serious hostility and conflicts of interest
- Multiple problems/disadvantages
- Multiple/significant risk factors
- Need to take into account the public interest.
These complexities will include the following which is not an exhaustive list: Multi agency input, Complex family/organisational dynamics, Serious hostility and conflicts of interest, Multiple problems/disadvantages, Multiple/significant risk factors, Need to take into account the public interest.
The post holder will work directly with children and provide a clear and targeted accurate assessment of the child and his/her family's needs in line with statutory guidance, undertake interviews, observations and gather information from children, families and other agencies as directed by the line manager. The post holder will be able to support and assist less experienced social workers and NQSWs as directed by the line manager.
The post holder will manage the caseload as directed and organise the casework activities prioritising tasks and responsibilities on their own cases in addition to supporting and overseeing the work of less experienced social workers and NQSWs. The post holder will ensure that statutory responsibilities are undertaken for children including visiting children, arranging reviews, reporting to the court, delivering within timescales and meeting any other national and local performance targets.
The post holder will provide highly skilled written and verbal reports, which are concise, informative, and based on analysis of complex evidence. The post holder will present complex information at a range of settings, including with families, foster carers, police, courts and to colleagues as requested by the line manager.
The post holder will establish rapport, build and maintain a professional, respectful and honest relationship with children and their families, to develop trust and assist in safeguarding children and promoting positive, purposeful and timely outcomes. The post holder will maintain case records and management information on appropriate systems, ensuring that case files are organised and up to date, with chronologies, genograms and eco maps in place.
The post holder will work purposefully with other agencies to promote positive outcomes and ensure an integrated approach, which takes account of the views of other professionals. The post holder will apply research knowledge of social work interventions and statutory guidance to inform social work practice.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land CSW - Senior Social Worker / Advanced Practitioner - Intervention & Planning (Grade J) in London
✨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 London Borough of Barnet.
✨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 London Borough of Barnet!
✨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 London Borough of Barnet, 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 London Borough of Barnet 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 - Senior Social Worker / Advanced Practitioner - Intervention & Planning (Grade J) in London
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 London Borough of Barnet:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to London Borough of Barnet! 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 London Borough of Barnet
✨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.
