At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and train foster carers while ensuring children's voices are heard.
- Company: Northumberland County Council, dedicated to improving outcomes for children and young people.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, generous leave, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and excellent support from day one.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and work in a supportive, dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with at least two years of post-qualifying experience.
The predicted salary is between 39862 - 44075 £ per year.
Fostering Team - Social Worker
Full time 37 hours per week
Fixed term contract - 12 months
The Council
At Northumberland County Council we are proud of our employees, who are passionate and committed to improving outcomes for our children and young people, ensuring that they feel safe, healthy, happy and ready to learn and achieve. We place children and young people at the heart of all we do and aim to provide a quality service to ensure that children in care get the best possible outcomes. Children thrive in stable and loving families. Sometimes birth parents are unable to care for their children themselves. Getting the best possible care for these children is one of our most important corporate parent responsibilities.
The role
An opportunity has risen for a qualified social worker to join the Fostering Team. We are looking for an experienced social worker with a minimum of two years post qualifying experience in statutory social work. The successful candidate will be responsible for recruiting, assessing, supervising, training and supporting foster carers and their placements. Your primary responsibility will be providing quality and professional services by supervising and supporting foster carers, their placements and completing necessary documentation. You will be involved in the duty rota with the expectations of this including, for example, supporting foster carers, colleagues in the social work locality teams and responding to placement needs. You will be part of a creative, enthusiastic and dynamic Residential & Family Placement Service. You will work with other partners and stakeholders to make sure the voice of the child is taken into consideration. As a Service, we will provide you with excellent support and supervision together with genuine opportunities for personal development.
We are offering:
- A competitive salary of £39,862 - £44,075 with a wide range of additional benefits
- Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (or other pension scheme)
- A wide range of staff benefits including a competitive annual leave provision
- Regular supervision
- A supportive environment
- Career progression opportunities
- A generous remuneration package
- Induction, support and mentoring from day one in post
- Flexible working arrangements
Essential requirements:
- You will have excellent communication skills and be able to convey complex messages in a straightforward way, both verbally and in writing.
- You will not be afraid to think creatively to solve problems.
- You will be empathetic and sensitive to the needs of children, families and carers.
- You will always want to hear the young person's voice and ensure that this is taken into account.
- You will have a sound knowledge base and be able to make decisions and plans with children and their families utilising different theoretical models including the Signs of Safety approach.
- You will be passionate about maximising a child's life chances to improve their overall outcomes.
- You will understand the importance of performance information and your contribution to maintaining high standards.
- You will have experience of working in a multi-disciplinary environment.
- You will be able to contribute to the development of the service.
- You must hold a relevant Social Work qualification such as the Social Work Degree, DipSW, CQSW or CSS and be registered with Social Work England. You should also have a minimum of two years post qualifying experience.
For further information, please contact Leon Curry - Team Manager on 01670 626262.
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format, please see the alternative methods below. This information will be treated as confidential and will only be used to check that you meet the essential requirements of the post.
Children's Social Worker (Fostering Team) in Morpeth employer: North East Ambition
Centurion Multi-Academy Trust is an exceptional employer that prioritises the professional growth of its staff while fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture. With a competitive salary and a commitment to operational excellence, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact on the educational outcomes of pupils and the wider community. Located in a supportive environment, the Trust offers unique opportunities for leadership development and strategic involvement in shaping the future of education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children's Social Worker (Fostering Team) in Morpeth
✨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 North East Ambition.
✨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 North East Ambition!
✨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 North East Ambition, 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 North East Ambition 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 Children's Social Worker (Fostering Team) in Morpeth
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 North East Ambition:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to North East Ambition! 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 North East Ambition
✨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.
