At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families through Child Protection plans and assessments.
- Company: Brent Council, a vibrant and diverse London borough.
- Benefits: Generous salary, annual retention payment, training, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and empower families.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's social care and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 44685 - 48003 £ per year.
Salary range: PO1 - £42,060/PO2 - £44,685 - £48,003/PO3 - £48,003 - £51,138 per annum inclusive of London weighting (plus £5k Golden Hello & £4,500 Annual retention payment)
Contract: Permanent
Hours of work: 36 hours per week
Location: Civic Centre and other locations from time to time
Looking to make a real difference? Join Brent's Family Support and Child Protection and Court Work teams and be the voice that protects, empowers, and transforms lives. Brent is a tremendously vibrant London borough where the iconic arch of Wembley Stadium dominates the skyline. Spanning both inner and outer London, it is a borough of huge contrasts in terms of its economic, environmental, ethnic and social make up. Brent's diversity is evident to all who visit our borough, and our long history of ethnic and cultural diversity has created a place that is truly unique and valued by those who live and work here. The council is pursuing a far-reaching transformation agenda that better meets the needs of our community, so it is an exciting time to join us!
Protecting Futures, Empowering Families - Come and Grow Your Social Work Career in Brent. At Brent Council, we are proud to be rated "Good" in all areas by Ofsted. We are a borough that is deeply committed to putting children and families at the heart of everything we do. Join us and become part of a forward-thinking, supportive local authority where your work will have a real and lasting impact.
Why This Role Matters
Our Family Support Teams play a vital role in helping children and families achieve lasting change. Working with children in need and those subject to Early Help Plans, the teams provide purposeful, relationship-based support to address concerns early, reduce risk and prevent difficulties from escalating. Our Child Protection and Court Work teams are at the frontline of safeguarding children and young people. These teams carry out vital statutory work, from Section 47 investigations through to Care Proceedings. These are roles that truly make a difference-working directly with families to reduce risk, strengthen support networks, and ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive in a safe and nurturing environment.
What You'll Be Doing
- Support children, young people and families through Child in Need and Child Protection plans.
- Work alongside families to reduce risk and develop sustainable safety within their own support networks.
- Support families through pre-proceedings and, where necessary, care proceedings.
- Undertake parenting assessments and prepare Section 7 and Section 37 reports for the court.
- Work collaboratively with professionals across agencies, sharing expertise and driving positive change for children.
Our approach is relationship-based and rooted in systemic practice. We believe in working alongside families-recognising their strengths, building trust and supporting them to achieve lasting change.
Who We're Looking For
- Adequate post-qualifying experience in children's social care, including child protection and court work.
- Possess excellent communication, assessment, and analytical skills.
- Are confident in applying legislation and statutory guidance in practice.
- Embrace change, are IT-savvy, and work well under pressure.
What We Offer You
- Annual retention payment of up to £4,500 to reward your continued commitment.
- A minimum of 10 days of training per year, focused on direct practice and our "This is Brent, this is how we Grow" framework, which draws from systemic approaches like Signs of Safety.
- A clear and supportive career progression pathway - from Social Worker to Team Manager and beyond.
- Access to high-quality reflective supervision and a professional learning culture.
- 27 days' annual leave, rising with length of service, plus bank holidays.
- Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions.
- Hybrid and flexible working options available for most roles.
- Supportive family-friendly policies, including carers' leave, paternity leave and compassionate leave for eligible employees.
- Health and wellbeing support, including eye test support and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- Financial wellbeing support, including education sessions, childcare deposit loans and season ticket loans.
- Travel support, including affordable parking nearby, a Cycle to Work scheme and onsite facilities.
- Learning and development opportunities to support your career.
- Access to My Brent Rewards with exclusive discounts on shopping, travel, leisure and entertainment.
Join Us in Shaping Brighter Futures. This is more than a job-it's a chance to transform lives. If you're passionate about safeguarding children and committed to making a real difference, we'd love to hear from you.
Brent Council values the diversity of its community and aims to have a workforce that reflects the people we serve. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and encourage applicants to complete the diversity survey section of the application. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with dignity, respect and fairness. We expect all employees to demonstrate a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and to promote inclusive, non-discriminatory practices in their work. This commitment forms part of our recruitment process, and candidates may be assessed on their understanding of and ability to contribute to an inclusive working environment.
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. This includes people with hidden disabilities, long-term health conditions, diagnoses and mental health conditions. We also guarantee an interview to care-experienced applicants who meet the essential criteria. Information shared for this purpose will be treated fairly and used only to confirm eligibility under these schemes.
If you need reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Brent has a positive approach to flexible working.
Social Worker employer: LONDON BOROUGH OF BRENT
The London Borough of Brent is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that prioritises the health of our waterways. Employees benefit from professional development opportunities, a supportive team environment, and the chance to make a tangible impact on community health and environmental sustainability in one of London's vibrant boroughs.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker
✨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 BRENT.
✨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 BRENT!
✨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 BRENT, 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 BRENT 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 Social Worker
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 BRENT:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to LONDON BOROUGH OF BRENT! 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 BRENT
✨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.
