At a Glance
- Tasks: Join Croydon's MASH to support children and families through effective social work.
- Company: Croydon Council, committed to community and child welfare.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic and inclusive workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in childcare settings.
The predicted salary is between 44000 - 46000 £ per year.
Advanced Social Worker – MASH
Salary: Grade 14 £53,172-£55,323
Fixed Term / Secondment (24m) – 36 hours per week
Job Purpose
We are seeking social work qualified and experienced social worker to join Croydon’s Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). Croydon’s MASH is the ‘front door’ for all new referrals for children who may need early help support or children’s social care intervention, making important decisions about which services children need. We are committed to delivering excellent social work practice and services to our children and families. Our goal is to make the right decisions, at the right time and so help set a positive journey for all children. As a MASH Social Worker, you will work within a structure of 3 MASH teams, aligned to 3 Team Managers. You will also work alongside a newly formed Early Help Triage Team, comprising of Senior Early Help Navigators, a Substance Misuse Worker, and a domestic abuse IIDVA.
As a MASH social worker, you will be responsible for a daily allocation of MASH referrals, where you will speak to parents, carers and young people and gather information from partner agencies towards analysing risk and need and helping identify the right service the child needs. You will have opportunities to provide consultation advice to professional referrers, as well as participating in multi-agency risk management forums. Candidates will need to have significant post qualifying experience, including in a statutory childcare setting. Prior MASH experience is useful but not essential. Candidates will need to be able to demonstrate good experience, knowledge and skills of ability to work in front line setting; being able to work with a complex and diverse range of needs and risks; and making effective and timely decisions involving child protection, child in need and Early Help interventions. Candidates will need to have had working positively with partner agencies and ability to develop collaborative working relationships with children and their families. Candidates will need to have good knowledge and understanding of legislative framework, relevant research and national developments, and policies relating to children’s social care.
Essential Requirements
- Qualified Social Worker, Social Work England registered.
- Working knowledge of national policy, strategy and developments regarding children’s social care, and areas that impact on children’s social care.
- Managing a daily allocation of MASH referrals within required time frames.
- Ability to manage competing priorities.
- Ability to engage positively and collaboratively with parents/carers towards discussing referrals, understanding the needs/risks to the child and identifying the right services to meet the child’s needs.
- Engage effectively with multi-agency partners and being able to gather good quality information to assist with decision making.
- Good analytical skills.
- Demonstrate good written skills, so MASH activity is clearly recorded, up to date and analysis of risk and need and recommendations are clear.
- Good threshold decision making.
- Ability to work as part of a team and contribute to team and service development.
- The role will involve you using a range of systemic ideas in your work, including promoting a practice philosophy which seeks to empower service users, build on individual strengths, and develop strategies which support them to understand, manage and respond to risk.
- You will be required to be office-based a minimum of 3-days per week and at other times according to service needs.
To view Advanced Social Worker role profile, please view the accompanying document.
About Us
Croydon Council’s priorities
The Council balances its books, listens to residents, and delivers good sustainable services
- Get a grip on the finances and make the council financially sustainable
- Become a council which listens to, respects and works in partnership with Croydon’s diverse communities and businesses
- Strengthen collaboration and joint working with partner organisations and the voluntary, community and faithsectors
- Ensure good governance is embedded and adopt best practice
- Develop our workforce to deliver in a manner that respects the diversity of our communities
Key business plan outcomes:
- Croydon is a place of opportunity for business, earning and learning
- Children and young people in Croydon have the chance to thrive, learn and fulfil their potential
- Croydon is a cleaner, safer and healthier place, a borough we’re proud to call home
- People can lead healthier and independent lives for longer
- Croydon Council’s new ways of working
Equal Opportunities Statement
Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Subject to business needs, we will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace for part of their working week and work from home, or elsewhere, remotely for the rest of the time.
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role.
Croydon council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.
The Successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check, if the role requires one.
Advanced Social Worker – MASH in Croydon employer: London Borough of Croydon
Croydon Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its employees. With a strong commitment to professional development, the council offers numerous opportunities for growth within the social care sector, particularly in the vital role of Advanced Social Worker within the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub. Located in Croydon, employees benefit from a collaborative culture that values diverse perspectives and prioritises the well-being of children and families, making it a rewarding place to contribute to meaningful change in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced Social Worker – MASH in Croydon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in social work, especially those who have experience in MASH. They can provide insider info and might even refer you directly, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of child protection policies and legislation. We want you to be able to discuss how you would handle specific scenarios, so think about your past experiences and how they relate to the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your collaborative skills! Be ready to talk about how you've worked with multi-agency partners in the past. Highlighting your ability to gather quality information and make timely decisions will set you apart.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Advanced Social Worker – MASH in Croydon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your social work qualifications and any relevant experience, especially in statutory childcare settings. We want to see how your background aligns with the MASH role, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language to describe your skills and experiences, especially around decision-making and working with families. We appreciate a well-structured application!
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor it to reflect the specific requirements of the Advanced Social Worker role. Mention your understanding of national policies and how you can contribute to Croydon’s goals.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need right there!
How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough of Croydon
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of national policies and strategies related to children's social care. Being able to discuss recent developments and how they impact your role will show that you're not just qualified, but also genuinely engaged with the field.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your ability to manage MASH referrals and make timely decisions. Highlight situations where you successfully collaborated with partner agencies or made a significant impact on a child's welfare.
✨Engage with Empathy
During the interview, convey your ability to engage positively with parents and carers. Share how you approach sensitive discussions and build trust, as this is crucial for a role that involves understanding complex family dynamics.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Skills
Be ready to discuss how you analyse risk and need in your previous roles. You might even be asked to walk through a hypothetical scenario, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and confidently.
