At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable children and young people, making a real difference in their lives.
- Company: Join Peterborough City Council's enthusiastic and supportive safeguarding team.
- Benefits: Generous leave, flexible working, and extensive employee benefits.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace committed to diversity and personal growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a restorative approach that truly impacts young people's futures.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work with young people and understanding of trauma and exploitation.
Are you an experienced Social Worker looking for the opportunity to step up? Looking to join an enthusiastic and supportive team who truly make a difference to the lives of vulnerable children and young people? Do you have the attributes and skills to support children and young people who are vulnerable to exploitation, contextual risks and have experienced trauma?
Then, you sound like just the person we are looking to be part of our specialist service here at Peterborough City Council! Our Young People’s safeguarding team is part of an integrated service which means we are closely aligned with the Youth Justice Service (YJS) and Missing and Exploitation team. As a result of these close links, as a Senior Social Worker you will be working alongside police officers, health workers, psychologists, education workers, substance misuse workers and social workers.
You will also play a key role in supporting staff to prevent homelessness and effectively engage children at risk of Care. You will need experience of assessments, planning and direct work with young people and their families at CIN, CP, ROTH and CIC level as well as a good understanding of the impact of exploitation, mental health, intra and extra‑familial abuse, substance misuse, parental conflict and neglect.
Our approach is restorative and underpins every interaction with children, young people and families. It creates a shared language and culture, where we focus on building relationships which support good outcomes for children and young people. You will benefit from evidence‑based approaches and feel supported by managers, with regular reflective practice sessions and a trauma‑informed approach.
Not to forget, we have extensive support from senior management to ensure that we are able to deliver effective interventions that make a difference for young people and their families, in all aspects of their lives.
Why work for us?
- We value our colleagues and have developed a number of benefits in addition to our generous annual leave starting at 25 days + bank holidays, sick pay and local government pension scheme.
- Access to a range of benefits via our Employee Benefits Platform, including in-store and online discounts as well as our Cycle to Work and Home & Electronics schemes.
- Flexible and hybrid working opportunities.
- Buy up to 10 days additional annual leave (pro-rata).
- Access to car lease scheme.
- Take your bank holidays flexibly to better suit your personal circumstances.
- Employer pension contributions of 17.5% plus Voluntary Contributions (Shared Cost AVCs) to your pension with tax and National Insurance savings.
- Access to development opportunities including apprenticeships to support your personal and professional growth.
- Paid volunteering hours each year so you can make a positive impact on our community during your normal working day.
- Access to our equality, diversity and inclusion network.
- Opportunities to receive Employee Recognition Awards.
Our Commitments
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to fostering diversity, advancing equity, and building an inclusive workplace for everyone. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and particularly encourage those from underrepresented groups, including disabled people, care leavers, and individuals from minority ethnic communities. Your unique perspectives and experiences are encouraged and valued and will play a vital role in our success.
We are committed to making our recruitment process as accessible as possible. If you are a person who has or considers yourself to have a disability and you require reasonable adjustments to the application or interview process, please contact pccrecruitment@peterborough.gov.uk.
Appointment to this post will be subject to the outcome of an Enhanced Disclosure obtained through the Disclosure and Barring Service. The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Senior Social Worker - Young Peoples Safeguarding in Peterborough employer: Peterborough City Council
Peterborough City Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive team environment where you can make a meaningful impact on the lives of children in care. With generous leave, professional development opportunities, and a commitment to compliance and safeguarding, you'll thrive in a role that values collaboration and integrated services. Join us at Clare Lodge Secure Children’s Home and be part of a dedicated team focused on achieving positive outcomes for vulnerable children.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Worker - Young Peoples Safeguarding in Peterborough
✨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 Peterborough City 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 Peterborough City 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 Peterborough City 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 Peterborough City 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 Senior Social Worker - Young Peoples Safeguarding in Peterborough
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 Peterborough City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Peterborough City 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 Peterborough City 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.
