At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in care and their families through restorative practices and relationship building.
- Company: Join Newham, an 'Outstanding' local authority committed to social work excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, career progression, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture with strong focus on personal development and internal promotions.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified social workers with experience in children in care are encouraged to apply.
The predicted salary is between 31650 - 40000 £ per year.
JOIN US AND HELP BUILD A FAIRER NEWHAM
We’re building a fairer Newham through investment, co-production and by continuously developing our Circle of Support practice model; centring on systemic and restorative practice and a specialist support offer for our practitioners. OFSTED described Newham's clinical team and social work academy as undoubtedly strengthening practice and contributing to a culture of learning and development. We have had over 70+ internal promotions, most colleagues from Global Majority backgrounds. Over 80% permanent team managers.
We value your development and at Newham career progression is a reality for many of our colleagues. We understand that social work can be a challenging yet ultimately very rewarding profession that makes demands of you personally and professionally. In Newham we value your wellbeing and we aim to ensure that you have a better work/life balance through a remote working offer when you are not visiting children and families, a modern office space for when you’re on site, a flexible working policy where all requests are considered and a clinical offer to support you to do your best work.
ABOUT THE JOB
Social Work in Newham is underpinned by a culture of Systemic and Restorative practice with high quality relationships at the heart of our approach. Our Children in Care teams provide statutory services to children who are in our care and their families and support networks. Social Workers in Children in Care provide Circles of Support around children to ensure their happiness and safety when Council is acting in its role as a corporate parent - working restoratively and using systemic tools and ideas and drive the development of a team culture where good practice can flourish to the benefit of all. Working as a Children in Care Social Worker at Newham provides a unique development opportunity as the service handles the majority of court work relating to care proceedings. You will be fully supported in this by senior colleagues, an Assistant Team Manager and Team Manager in each team, Practice Development Social Workers, a comprehensive CP Chair service and our Clinical Team of experienced qualified Family Therapists.
We understand that social work can be a challenging yet ultimately very rewarding profession that makes demands of you personally and professionally. In Newham we value your wellbeing and we aim to ensure that you have a better work/life balance through a remote working offer when you are not visiting children and families, a modern office space for when you’re on site, a flexible working policy where all requests are considered, and a clinical offer to support you to do your best work.
ABOUT YOU
We welcome applications from qualified social workers of varying experience levels; though we do expect applicants to have completed their ASYE and have gained some experience within a service focused on supporting children in care (this must be clear on applicants’ CVs). A firm understanding of working with children in care and their families and support networks is essential and will need to be demonstrated at interview. Applicants must have a valid registration with Social Work England and experience of practice within the UK. We’re looking for social workers who have a genuine interest in a restorative, relationship based practice model drawing on systemic thinking to inform your approach to building effective relationships with children, young people and their families. We want to meet energetic, empathetic social workers that are keen to reach positive outcomes for children and families whilst taking full advantage of the learning, support and personal development that Newham offers. We’re big on career development and our focus on developing internal talent has made internal progression a realistic possibility for many – we promoted 30 qualified social work professionals in 2023 alone.
WHY WORK WITH US?
- A role in an 'Outstanding' local authority across all four areas of Ofsted's Inspection criteria
- A competitive salary package with a market supplement that rivals capped agency pay.
- Stability: 100% of our Senior Managers are permanent.
- Our firmly established practice model, Circle of Support model was nominated for the prestigious MJ Award for Innovation in Children’s Services and allows systemic, restorative practice to flourish.
- Career progression is valued in Newham with an active Strategic Centre for Talent and Learning Team who work hard to shape strategies to inform career development.
- Social Care Academy – 50+ social workers have studied for systemic higher education with us since 2020.
- There are opportunities to train as a Practice Educator and opportunities to train in Systemic Practice to heighten your skill set.
- Clinical practitioners are attached to every team to support you individually and as a group with reflective supervision groups greatly valued by social workers.
- Our Academy offer received significant praise from Ofsted.
- A commitment to addressing disproportionality wherever we find it- we are signed up to the Social Care Workforce Race Equality Standard and the CYPS directorate are actively leading in the Tackling Racism, Inequality and Disproportionately (TRID) Steering Group.
- Oyster card/parking permit for business use.
- Travel season ticket loan, cycle scheme, Local Authority pension.
We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload.
The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity.
Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by.
About Us
The London Borough of Newham is located only 5 miles east of London. It is well positioned with access to all major networks in London and the south east. It is well connected by public transport with bus, tube and DLR. When the Crossrail service opens it will call at Custom House close to our council offices and also Stratford station and from there to central London. The London City Airport which serves major European cities is located at Royal Albert Dock. Newham has the youngest overall population in the country. It was one of the six host boroughs for the 2012 Summer Olympics and contains most of the Olympic Park including the London Stadium. It has a thriving arts quarter with the Theatre Royal Stratford East offering excellent entertainment for all the family. There is the University of East London which has two campuses in Newham, one in Stratford and another next to the regenerated Royal Albert Dock. It also has a large Westfield shopping Centre in Stratford which has all the major retailers there.
Social Worker - Children in Care/ LAC in London employer: Newham Council
Newham Council is an excellent employer for Electricians, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises safety and quality in residential environments. With a focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to enhance your skills through hands-on experience across various council properties, all while enjoying a competitive hourly rate and the stability of a 12-month contract. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the community while working in a collaborative and inclusive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker - Children in Care/ LAC in London
✨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 Newham 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 Newham 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 Newham 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 Newham Council 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 in Care/ LAC in London
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 Newham Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Newham 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 Newham 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.
