At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with disabilities and their families, ensuring their needs are met.
- Company: Join Bexley Council, a vibrant and supportive community-focused organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and well-being support.
- Other info: Opportunities for training, career progression, and a nurturing work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work, education, or related fields is essential.
The predicted salary is between 32243 - 39408 £ per year.
About The Role
Bexley is a safe and supportive place to work with highly creative work undertaken by a skilled and well supported workforce. The Council, its staff and partners, were delighted in August 2018, when Ofsted judged the overall effectiveness of children’s social care services to be ‘outstanding’! We have been working hard to create an environment where social workers can do the work they came into the profession to do - to support and help families to stay together where this is in children’s best interests and it is safe enough for this to happen.
We believe deeply in relationship based practice and ‘Signs of Safety’ is the vehicle enabling us to do this respectfully and in collaboration with the people we are trying to help. We have an established family engagement group, FL.A.RE (Family Learning, Advocacy & Restorative Engagement) who support us with practice development and delivery. Practitioners are invited to contribute to our Learning & Development offer in Bexley and to enhance Continual Professional Development, with opportunities to co-design and deliver training if this is of interest.
Here in Bexley, we recognise that our greatest asset is our workforce. Staff well-being is important to us and you will have access to our weekly staff well‑being drop in sessions, our Employee Assistance Programme and our corporate offer of emotional and physical well‑being sessions.
Children with Disabilities Team
Our Children with Disability Service safeguards and promotes the welfare of children in line with Children Act 1989 and 2004, Children & Families Act 2014 and Working Together to Safeguard Children guidance 2015. We work with the SEN education department to implement the biggest education reforms in a generation for children and young people with special educational needs which became law in September 2014. We work with Children in Need, Looked After Children & Children subject to Child Protection Plans. We also work to the Public Law outline and initiate care proceedings.
We keep children and young people at the heart of our work. We listen to children, respect their views and champion their rights ensuring that each child’s voice informs the work that we do. We have a permanent management team, and you will receive monthly reflective supervision, training and professional development as part of the role. There are regular team meetings and development opportunities as well as opportunities for career progression.
This specialist role forms part of the Children with disabilities service. The post holder will provide social care advice for the EHCP process; Supporting Families coordination; Support to schools and early help professionals in the communities together with the DISCO as part of the prevention of children and young people needing statutory Social Care services. The post holder will need to be experienced in supporting families displaying challenging behaviour to bring about positive change for them and have experience of multi‑agency working to support families.
This generic role requires the post holder to have transferable skills and to work flexibly across a range of specialisms e.g. parental domestic violence, parental mental health, parental substance misuse and children at risk of school exclusion. The role requires a dedicated and specialist worker who has in depth knowledge of SEN and the Supporting Families agenda. The post holder will be required to deliver input and training in specific areas of specialist work to colleagues and other professionals in support of the objectives of the service.
As a Children with disabilities SEN Keyworker, you will be involved in ensuring that outcomes for Supporting Families are identified and achieve payment by results in line with government guidance. You will also be ensuring that all children with SEN in Bexley have their social care needs fully considered as part of their EHCP where they are not known to other children services within the council.
Candidate Profile
The Post holder will need to have significant experience in a relevant field (which may include): Social Work, Teaching, Psychology, Psychotherapy, Youth Work, Counselling, Probation, Health Professions, Education, Early Years.
A minimum of 2 years’ experience of working with families, children and young people in educational settings or children in need and/or child protection. Experience of applying evidence based approaches and theoretical frameworks in undertaking assessments and developing interventions for children and families. Knowledge of advice, support and sign posting for families to enable them to achieve positive and sustainable change and improving outcomes.
Appointment to this post will be subject to the outcome of an Enhanced Disclosure obtained through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
About Us
Bexley is a vibrant and diverse outer London Borough nestled in the Thames Gateway between London and Kent which means it combines the perfect blend of city vibe and the tranquillity of Kent. It's got award‑winning parks, open spaces, and heritage sites. The borough has excellent transport connections, including the Elizabeth Line and proximity to the M25. Bexley offers fantastic amenities such as libraries, leisure centres, and shopping areas. Our borough is also home to numerous primary and secondary schools, as well as further education institutions.
Our Offer to you
- Competitive salary
- Coaching and mentoring programmes
- An excellent pension scheme
- Generous annual leave plus bank holidays
- Weekly staff well‑being drop in sessions
- Our Employee Assistance Programme
- Our corporate offer of emotional and physical well‑being sessions
Recruitment Information
As a disability confident employer Bexley welcomes applications from people with all disabilities, including hidden disabilities and mental health conditions. We will interview any disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to any part of the recruitment process due to your disability, please contact us.
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This role may be available as a development opportunity through secondment for the Council’s existing employees.
We reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date.
Children with Disabilities - SEN Keyworker in London employer: London Borough of Bexley
Bexley is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work environment that prioritises employee growth and development through coaching and mentoring programmes. With a strong commitment to inclusivity, we provide a competitive salary, excellent pension scheme, and generous annual leave, ensuring our Family Hub Practitioners can thrive both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children with Disabilities - SEN Keyworker 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 Bexley.
✨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 Bexley!
✨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 Bexley, 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 Bexley 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 Children with Disabilities - SEN Keyworker 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 Bexley:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to London Borough of Bexley! 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 Bexley
✨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.
