At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families by triaging contacts and assessing their needs.
- Company: Join Oldham Council, dedicated to creating vibrant and safe communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, pension scheme, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a supportive team environment await you.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families in your community.
- Qualifications: NVQ level 3 in Child Care or Health and Social Care required.
The predicted salary is between 34434 - 34434 £ per year.
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: Grade 5 £31,537 - £34,434 p.a.
Hours: 36:40 per week
Based: Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), Spindles office
Closing date: Wednesday 2nd September 2026
Hiring manager contact details: Maxine Foster, Team Manager, Maxine.foster@oldham.gov.uk
Role overview: Working within the targeted early help team in the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), you will support the process of triaging contacts to enable children and families to be referred to the early help support appropriate to their assessed needs.
Key responsibilities:
- To support the process for triaging contacts to the Children’s Services front door by:
- Gathering information from family members and professionals about the reason for the contact, and the support needs of the child(ren) and family the contact refers to;
- Analysing this information in order to make a clear assessment of their support needs;
- Identifying services currently providing support to children and families;
- Researching the previous support history of children and families through interrogating data on relevant databases.
- To develop and maintain strong working relationships with professionals in a wide range of services delivering services and support to children and families.
- To develop and maintain knowledge and understanding of the services and resources available locally to meet the needs of children and families, and how to access these.
Key Requirements:
- Experience of working in a service delivering services or support to children, families or vulnerable adults.
- To be qualified to NVQ level 3 in a relevant field such as Child Care, Health and Social Care.
- Experience of successfully working in a team following standard operating procedures to manage large volumes of activity to quality standards under pressure of time.
- Experience of working effectively in partnership with professionals from different disciplines.
About us: We want Oldham to have vibrant, safe neighbourhoods where people are proud to live with opportunities for healthier, more fulfilled lives; and a sustainable, thriving economy. As we look to the future, the challenges may be significant, but so are the opportunities. We’ve identified three missions with our residents and partners, focusing on what will deliver the biggest impact: A Great Place to Live, Healthier, Happier Lives, and Green and Growing. We’re looking for candidates who will support us to achieve our ambitions.
Our values and behaviours: By driving innovation, investing in our people, and championing our communities, we will ensure that Oldham continues to be a place where everyone can live their best life. To support this, we have three core values which define who we are and how we operate. These are ‘Proud, Ambitious, and Together’ and they shape our culture, inform our decisions, and inspire us to deliver on our commitments to the people of Oldham.
Our benefits package: At Oldham Council we offer a great benefits package for our employees, which includes the following:
- 25 days annual leave which increases after 5 and 10-years’ service.
- The option to purchase additional annual leave.
- An attractive LGPS benefit pension scheme with the option to make shared cost additional voluntary contributions.
- Discounted gym membership with Oldham Active.
- Staff discount scheme for shopping, entertainment, eating-out, eating-in, travel, motoring and more.
- Salary sacrifice scheme for home and electronics and Cycle to Work.
- Wellbeing support, including a Mental Health First Aider network and an Employment Assistance Programme that provides 24 hours access to advice and support.
- Staff recognition and celebration events.
- Peer support groups.
Inclusive recruitment: We work closely with employees to help them work at their best, including making adjustments such as flexible working, describing available working patterns, providing equipment or making changes to the workplace. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and therefore expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Data and privacy: For details of how we use your data please see our Privacy Notice.
Important information: Please note that should a vacancy that has been released for internal or external recruitment be deemed suitable for a current employee at risk of redundancy, it can be pulled back at any point, up to the post being formally offered to a candidate who is not at risk of redundancy.
MASH Targeted Early Help Officer employer: Oldham Council
Oldham Council is an excellent employer that prioritises the growth and development of its employees through structured apprenticeship programmes, such as the Level 6 training for Trainee Trading Standards Officers. With a supportive work culture in Lees, England, you will be part of a dedicated team committed to upholding consumer protection laws, while enjoying the benefits of meaningful work that directly impacts the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land MASH Targeted Early Help Officer
✨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 Oldham 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 Oldham 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 Oldham 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 Oldham 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 MASH Targeted Early Help Officer
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 Oldham Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Oldham 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 Oldham 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.
