Social Worker - Children With Disabilities Team
Location: Northampton
Pay Rate: £38 per hour
Working Arrangements: Part‑time: 22.2 hours per week (3 days).
Hybrid working – flexible but ideally 2 days per week
About the Role
Northamptonshire Children’s Trust is seeking a committed and experienced Children with Disabilities Social Worker to join our specialist service. This is an excellent opportunity to support children and young people with complex needs, ensuring they receive the right support at the right time.
The Children with Disabilities team works with children and young people who have a diagnosed disability or complex additional needs that significantly impact their daily lives. The team provides statutory support, multi-agency coordination, and targeted interventions to promote safety, stability, and wellbeing.
Responsibilities
- Working with Children in Need, Child Protection, and Children in Care.
- Completing Section 17 and Section 47 assessments.
- Developing and reviewing Child in Need/Child Protection plans.
- Undertaking detailed assessments of need, including short break/respite requirements.
- Reviewing and coordinating care packages, ensuring they remain appropriate and effective.
- Working closely with families to empower them and ensure they understand available support and services.
- Collaborating with health professionals, education providers, short break services, therapists, and voluntary sector partners.
- Attending and contributing to professionals’ meetings, core groups, and reviews.
- Promoting independence, safety, and improved outcomes for children with disabilities.
Skills
- Experience within a Children with Disabilities team is essential.
- Strong assessment and analytical skills.
- A clear, calm, and child‑centred approach to complex family situations.
- Ability to work collaboratively with professionals and families.
- Confident in managing risk and decision‑making.
- A qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration.
If you thrive to make a difference and have 3 years Social worker experience and this is the role for you, then we would love to hear from you.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker in Milton Keynes
✨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 Opus People Solutions Ltd.
✨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 Opus People Solutions Ltd!
✨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 Opus People Solutions Ltd, 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 Opus People Solutions Ltd or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
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 Opus People Solutions Ltd:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Opus People Solutions Ltd! 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 Opus People Solutions Ltd
✨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.
