At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families, assist social workers, and promote wellbeing.
- Company: Join a dedicated team in Children's Services making a real difference.
- Benefits: 28 days holiday, excellent pension, family-friendly policies, and discounts.
- Other info: Flexible work arrangements and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on children's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and families, strong communication, and problem-solving skills.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 28000 £ per year.
In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:
- Great holiday benefits – most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. There is also a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
- Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
- Family-friendly policies – including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
- Award-winning employee benefits programme – includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high-street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Salary sacrifice car scheme – eligible employees can access low-cost leasing of electric and low-emission vehicles.
- Blue Light Card – employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Location: Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East, Central Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
Job Category: Children's Services
Service Area: Children's Services – Corporate Parenting
Work Arrangement: Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week. This is a Site-Based role, and you’ll be expected to work from the designated workplace.
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.
- Work with social workers and partner agencies to coordinate support that meets children’s needs, including education and health support.
- Take part in the team’s duty rota, including supported crisis intervention work when needed.
- Deliver all work in an anti-oppressive way, promoting equal opportunities and supporting children’s physical and emotional wellbeing.
Ideal Candidate:
- You understand Children’s Social Care responsibilities and you have experience of paid or voluntary work with children, young people and families.
- You communicate clearly and sensitively, and you write accurate records in a timely way.
- You can analyse information and produce clear summaries that children, families and colleagues can understand.
- You’re confident to question, challenge and solve problems to get the right support in place.
- You understand risk and you can observe, report and elevate concerns promptly, including when working alone.
- You organise your workload well and you work cooperatively with colleagues and other professionals to support children in care.
As part of the pre-employment checks, should you be offered the role, we’ll carry out an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (unless you are currently registered with the DBS Update Service).
Social Work Assistant in Milton Keynes employer: MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL
As a Social Work Assistant with us, you'll be part of a supportive and dynamic team dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of children and families in Milton Keynes. We offer an excellent benefits package, including generous holiday allowances, a robust pension scheme, and access to various employee discounts, all within a work culture that prioritises professional growth and family-friendly policies. Join us in a role where your contributions are valued, and you can truly make a difference in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Work Assistant in Milton Keynes
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the social work field, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to social work. Think about your experiences and how they relate to the role of a Social Work Assistant. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or family to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for working with children and families during interviews. Share specific examples of your past experiences, whether paid or voluntary, that highlight your skills and commitment to making a difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we often have exclusive roles listed there that you won’t find anywhere else.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Work Assistant in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience with children and families. Use specific examples that showcase your skills in communication and record-keeping, as these are key for the Social Work Assistant role.
Showcase Your Understanding:Demonstrate your understanding of Children’s Social Care responsibilities in your written application. Mention any relevant experience you have, whether paid or voluntary, to show us you’re the right fit for the team.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We want to see that you can produce accurate records and summaries, so make sure your writing reflects that ability.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the responsibilities of a Social Work Assistant. Familiarise yourself with Children’s Social Care policies and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the role. This will show that you're not just interested in the job, but that you genuinely care about the work.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since communication is key in this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and sensitively. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you’ve successfully communicated with children, families, or colleagues. This will demonstrate your ability to connect with others effectively.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be prepared to discuss situations where you've had to question, challenge, or solve problems. Think of specific examples that highlight your analytical skills and your ability to make decisions under pressure. This will help interviewers see your proactive approach to supporting children and families.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, the support available for new staff, or how they measure success in the role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
