At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families and children, ensuring their voices are central to assessments and planning.
- Company: Peterborough Children's Social Care, committed to collaborative and relational work.
- Benefits: Generous leave, flexible bank holidays, professional development, and employee recognition awards.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace welcoming diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful difference in children's lives while working in a supportive team environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified Senior Social Worker with registration and experience in diverse settings.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are looking for a Senior Social Worker who has the child's voice at the heart of everything they do and are committed to working with families in a way that is collaborative and relational at every step. Our Assessment Teams are a rewarding but fast-paced environment to work in. We are committed to ensuring that children, young people and families in our community receive a positive and timely service, proportionate to their needs and informed by their own expertise. The work is rich, varied and allows for a high level of multi-agency working, often to tight timelines. The nature of our work means that you see positive outcomes quickly and have an opportunity to make a difference for children at the early stages of our involvement.
We are proud to have created a space where colleagues can learn and reflect together in Service Workshops as well as benefit from monthly individual supervisions. We recognise that the job can bring challenges and ensure our Social Workers are well supported to do their best for children. You will have the opportunity to be creative in your work, contribute to Service development and will have the opportunity to have your ideas and voice heard. Peterborough Children's Social Care social work practice is underpinned by Family Valued principles, placing the voices of children and their families at the heart of our assessments and planning. We use Motivation Interviewing to create change and support families to develop their own solutions. Our team is supported by Children's Information and Advice Officers (CIAOs) and Business Support which makes administrative tasks much more manageable. You will also be supported by a permanent Team Manager, who will provide you with consistent and reliable leadership. We are supporting our colleagues in career progression and have a comprehensive Learning and Development offer to contribute to your professional growth.
We are looking for experienced and skilled senior social workers who are enthusiastic about their practice and making a meaningful difference. We work with families in a way that draws on their strengths, respects their rights and invites their expertise and participation. We want all of our Social Workers to share this commitment.
Qualifications
- You must be a qualified and experienced Senior Social Worker with a Social Work England registration.
- Have the ability to work from a variety of locations and travel countywide independently.
Benefits
- 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.
- 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.
- Make Additional 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.
Location: Sand Martin House, Bittern Way, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK, PE2 8TY
Senior Social Worker - Assessment in Peterborough employer: Peterborough First group
At Peterborough Children's Social Care, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that prioritises the voices of children and families in our community. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and creativity, with ample opportunities for professional growth through comprehensive learning and development programmes. Located in the vibrant city of Peterborough, we offer generous benefits, including flexible annual leave, a local government pension scheme, and paid volunteering hours, ensuring our Senior Social Workers can make a meaningful impact while enjoying a fulfilling work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Worker - Assessment 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 First group.
✨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 First group!
✨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 First group, 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 First group 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 - Assessment 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 First group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Peterborough First group! 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 First group
✨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.
