At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in care through assessments and building relationships with families.
- Company: Northamptonshire Children’s Trust focuses on improving outcomes for children and families.
- Benefits: Enjoy a £6,000 welcome bonus, 28 days leave, and flexible working arrangements.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified social worker with court experience and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Join a team that values creativity and offers extensive learning opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About the role
As a Children’s Social Worker at Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, you’ll join a supportive learning culture, be able to influence change, challenge others and share your expertise. Our Children in Care Team provides oversight for all the children in care in Northamptonshire. This includes children subject to legal proceedings as well as children with a plan to remain long term in our care. We focus on building meaningful relationships with young people, their families and their carers to ensure that we plan effectively for the future of every child. You’ll be conducting clear, accurate assessments, coordinating multi-agency approaches, and building positive relationships.
This is a very fast paced and busy role that strives to deliver positive outcomes for our children and families in collaboration with our colleagues in the Leaving Care Service and our external partners.
What will you be doing?
Our children in care service provides oversight for all the children in care in Northamptonshire. This includes children subject to legal proceedings as well as children with a plan to remain long term in our care. The service has 11 teams that work across the county and focus on particular cohorts of children. You will need to be experienced at court work and will be confident and capable enough to attend court on your own if necessary.
About you
You will be an experienced qualified, registered social worker, who has completed your ASYE and have the commitment and passion to be at the forefront of delivering best practice and support to children, young people and families. As an effective communicator you will be able to build positive, strength-based relationships with a diverse range of children, young people and families. As a Social Worker you will be confident in your analysis and decision making to deliver purposeful and effective social care supported by experienced colleagues and managers. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore subject to an enhanced DBS certificate. It is also a regulated activity and will be subject to a Barred List check.
Our benefits
We are committed to continuous improvement, building a skilled, knowledgeable, and flexible workforce alongside promoting innovation and creativity whilst keeping children, young people and families at the heart of all we do. We really value our workforce and offer you a great benefits package including:
- SWE Registration paid yearly (social care colleagues)
- Recruitment Welcome Bonus of £6,000
- Relocation costs of up to £8,000
- Retention bonus payments for established personnel
- 28 days annual leave, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time) and an additional 5 days, after 5 years
- Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health pension protection.
- Opportunity to purchase up to 25 days annual leave
- Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.
- Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.
- Flexible and family working arrangements including enhanced maternity benefits
- A permanent, supportive and inclusive management team where you will be empowered to make good professional decisions
- Extensive Learning & Development and career development opportunities
- Subsidised town centre car parking scheme
About us
At Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, children, young people and families are at the heart of all we do – in every decision we make and every action we take. Our mission is driven by the unwavering commitment to achieving the best outcomes for them. The Trust is wholly owned and funded but operationally independent from the Councils. Our workforce are our most valuable asset and are pivotal to making the services and support we offer to children, young people and families who need us to be the absolute best we can be. We value our colleagues and empower them to be able to do the best job of their lives every single day, working in a culture of support and kindness where achievements are celebrated and creativity is very much welcomed. At NCT equality, diversity and inclusion are part of us and in everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and thrive in our organisation. We are a disability confident employer and have a commitment to care leavers who we guarantee an interview if they meet the essential criteria. Join our dedicated team and be a part of an organisation where your work makes a real difference.
Social Worker - Children in Care Court employer: Northamptonshire Children's Trust
Contact Detail:
Northamptonshire Children's Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker - Children in Care Court
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific legal frameworks and procedures related to children in care. Understanding the nuances of court work will not only boost your confidence but also demonstrate your commitment to the role during any discussions with our team.
✨Tip Number 2
Reach out to current employees or managers at Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, like Stephen Tee or Lesley Lown, for an informal chat. This can provide you with valuable insights into the team dynamics and expectations, helping you tailor your approach when applying.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience in building relationships with children and families by preparing specific examples from your past work. Being able to articulate these experiences clearly will highlight your suitability for the role and your alignment with our values.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current trends and challenges in child welfare and social work. Engaging with relevant literature or attending workshops can enhance your knowledge and demonstrate your proactive approach to professional development when discussing your application.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker - Children in Care Court
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in social work, particularly with children in care. Emphasise your court work experience and any specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to build relationships and deliver positive outcomes.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for social work and your commitment to making a difference in children's lives. Mention specific aspects of the role that excite you and how your skills align with the values of Northamptonshire Children’s Trust.
Showcase Relevant Skills: In your application, highlight key skills such as effective communication, analytical thinking, and decision-making. Provide examples of how you've successfully used these skills in past roles, especially in challenging situations.
Prepare for Potential Questions: Think about the types of questions you might be asked during an interview. Be ready to discuss your approach to building relationships with children and families, as well as your strategies for working collaboratively with multi-agency teams.
How to prepare for a job interview at Northamptonshire Children's Trust
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Social Worker in the Children in Care Court. Familiarise yourself with the key aspects of the role, such as conducting assessments and building relationships with children and families.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in court work and how it has equipped you for this role. Highlight specific cases where you made a significant impact on children's lives, demonstrating your ability to think outside the box.
✨Emphasise Communication Skills
As an effective communicator, you need to convey your ability to build positive relationships. Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with diverse groups, including children, families, and multi-agency partners.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion
Express your commitment to delivering best practices in social work. Share your motivation for wanting to make a difference in the lives of children and families, and how you align with the values of Northamptonshire Children’s Trust.
