We're recruiting a Social Work Assistant to join our Children’s Services at Milton Keynes City Council. You'll be part of a team that supports children in the care of Milton Keynes City Council, delivering direct work and interventions, preparing children and young people for transitions, offering crisis intervention support, helping with education and health needs, and supporting reunification at home.
Responsibilities
- Work directly with children, young people, families and carers to deliver planned support in homes, placements and transition settings.
- Support social workers by gathering information for assessments and contributing to care plans and reviews through Family Support Meetings.
- Keep clear and timely records of your work and interactions in line with Children’s Social Care policies.
- Coordinate support with social workers and partner agencies to meet children’s needs, including education and health support.
- Take part in the team’s duty rota, including supported crisis intervention work when needed.
Qualifications
- Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check with barred list checks for children and adults is required.
- Experience of paid or voluntary work with children, young people and families.
- Strong written communication skills and the ability to produce accurate, timely records.
- Analytical ability to summarise information clearly for children, families and colleagues.
- Confidence to question, challenge and solve problems to secure appropriate support.
- Understanding of risk, and the ability to observe, report and raise concerns promptly, even when working alone.
- Organised workload management and the ability to work cooperatively with colleagues and other professionals.
Benefits
- Great holiday benefits – 28 days annual leave plus public holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years, with the option to purchase up to 5 additional days.
- Excellent pension – access to the national Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Comprehensive family‑friendly policies, including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
- Access to an award‑winning employee benefits programme with a health cash plan, low‑cost bike purchase scheme, and discounts on entertainment and travel.
- Salary sacrifice car scheme – low‑cost leasing of electric and low‑emission vehicles.
- Blue Light Card – additional discounts from national retailers and local businesses for social care staff.
Working Conditions
- This is a Site‑Based role; you are expected to work from the designated workplace.
- Interviews for this role will be held on 29 June 2026.
Contact Details:
Milton Keynes City Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Work Assistant
✨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 Milton Keynes City Council.
✨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 Milton Keynes City Council!
✨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 Milton Keynes City Council, 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 Milton Keynes City Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
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 Milton Keynes City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Milton Keynes City Council! 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 Milton Keynes City Council
✨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.
