At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead contextual safeguarding practices and support innovative approaches to protect children.
- Company: Join Reading Borough Council, a diverse and inclusive employer committed to social change.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holidays, flexible working, and life assurance.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and impactful community work.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives by tackling extra-familial harm.
- Qualifications: Must hold a recognised Social Work qualification and have experience in children's services.
The predicted salary is between 39152 - 44075 £ per year.
Reading Borough Council is looking for a skilled and passionate Contextual Safeguarding Social Worker to join our Extra Familial Harm Team. This is a senior and influential role focused on driving forward contextual safeguarding practice across the service. You’ll play a key part in shifting the focus from individual interventions to understanding and addressing risks in peer groups, schools, neighbourhoods, and online environments. Working closely with partners and internal teams, you will lead on contextual assessments, influence multi-agency decision-making, and support practitioners to embed innovative, evidence-based approaches that improve outcomes for children.
About the role
In this role you’ll take the lead in driving forward contextual safeguarding practice across the service, supporting both practitioners and partners to think differently about risk and intervention. You will:
- Champion and embed contextual safeguarding approaches across the service
- Lead on assessments of extra-familial contexts, including peer groups, schools, neighbourhoods and online environments
- Develop and oversee Context Plans, ensuring actions are clearly allocated, implemented, and reviewed
- Work closely with partners such as schools, police, community safety teams and the voluntary sector
- Provide specialist advice, consultation and mentoring to social workers and practitioners
- Support and influence multi-agency meetings and operational forums
- Deputise for the Team Manager in delegated areas when required
- Use analytical tools such as peer mapping and hotspot analysis to inform interventions
- Promote trauma-informed and restorative approaches in all areas of work
- Support learning, reflection and audit activity to embed best practice across the team
About you
We’re looking for an experienced and confident Social Worker who is passionate about improving outcomes for children and tackling extra-familial harm. You’ll be a strong practitioner with the ability to influence others, build effective partnerships, and drive improvements in practice. You will:
- Hold a recognised Social Work qualification and be registered with Social Work England
- Have strong post-qualification experience within children’s services
- Bring experience of working with children at risk of extra-familial harm
- Be confident working across multi-agency safeguarding partnerships
You’ll also demonstrate:
- Strong analytical and assessment skills
- The ability to support, mentor and influence others
- Excellent communication and professional judgement
In addition you’ll be resilient, reflective and committed to trauma-informed, restorative, and inclusive practice.
We offer a competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
- Generous holiday entitlement – 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays, rising to 30 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years, with the option to buy additional leave
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities
- Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
- Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
- On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
- Season Ticket Loan – a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey to and from work
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand-new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
Contextual Safeguarding Social Worker employer: Reading Borough Council
Reading Borough Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises the well-being of its employees. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to diversity and inclusion, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development within our Children's Services. With a competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement, and flexible working arrangements, you will thrive in a modern environment dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in Reading.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contextual Safeguarding Social Worker
✨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 Reading Borough 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 Reading Borough 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 Reading Borough 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 Reading Borough 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 Contextual Safeguarding Social Worker
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 Reading Borough Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Reading Borough 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 Reading Borough 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.
