At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and empower families with children who have disabilities, ensuring their voices are heard.
- Company: Bexley Council, recognised for outstanding children's social care services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent pension, generous leave, and well-being support.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's social work, especially with disabilities, is preferred.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
About The Role
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.
Ofsted judged that we provide strong management oversight of practice, that we have a well‑embedded practice framework to enable meaningful family‑focused help, that we offer clear progress in career pathways, a talent management scheme and a nurturing environment to enable social work to flourish. 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 and front‑line practitioners have the opportunity to be part of this work. Practitioners are invited to contribute to our Learning & Development offer in Bexley and to enhance Continual Professional Development; there is opportunity 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. This is a 12‑month fixed‑term opportunity.
Children with Disabilities Team
Our Children with Disability Service safeguards and promotes the welfare of children in line with the 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. In line with the Children and Families Act (SEND Reforms), 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.
Ideal candidates will possess highly developed knowledge in children’s social work practice and ideally will have experience of working with children with disabilities. Appointment to this post will be subject to the outcome of an Enhanced Disclosure obtained through the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Benefits
We will offer a package that includes a competitive salary, coaching and mentoring programmes, an excellent pension scheme and generous annual leave plus bank holidays.
Equal Opportunity Statement
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 at recruitment@bexley.gov.uk.
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.
Social Worker - Children with Disabilities in Bexleyheath employer: LondonBoroughofBexley
The Council is an outstanding employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for social workers in Bexley. With a strong emphasis on professional development, well-being initiatives, and a commitment to relationship-based practice, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families. The Council's investment in its workforce, coupled with clear career progression pathways and collaborative opportunities, makes it an exceptional place for social workers to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker - Children with Disabilities in Bexleyheath
✨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 LondonBoroughofBexley.
✨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 LondonBoroughofBexley!
✨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 LondonBoroughofBexley, 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 LondonBoroughofBexley 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 - Children with Disabilities in Bexleyheath
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 LondonBoroughofBexley:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to LondonBoroughofBexley! 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 LondonBoroughofBexley
✨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.
