At a Glance
- Tasks: Evaluate and triage referrals to support children and families in need.
- Company: Somerset Council, dedicated to promoting child safety and wellbeing.
- Benefits: Personal consultant support, competitive pay, and referral bonuses.
- Other info: Join a supportive team focused on equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with strong assessment and analytical skills.
Our client Somerset Council is looking for a Qualified Social Worker to join their children in need service. The responsibility of the Children's Services Function is to promote and ensure the safety, wellbeing and learning of children and young people. Within the Service, Children and Young People's Social Care Team provide services to "Children in Need", children subject to Child Protection Plans, Children "Looked After" and consultancy across Early Help Services.
The Family Front Door Social Worker is responsible for triaging acute level of need referrals from professionals and families, gathering and analysing information, and making clear, evidence-based recommendations. The role ensures an effective interface between our families, partner agencies and Children's Social Care, to ensure that Children and Families within Somerset get the correct level of support at the correct time.
All Practitioners at the Front Door are office based for their intervention, assessment and triage of Children and Families. The Social Worker will need to be able to manage diverse and frequently complex situations which may require a statutory discussion under Section 47 of the Children Act. Strong assessment and analytical skills are required and the ability to prioritise needs and risks within a short timeframe. Workers will be part of a Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and will be required to participate in MASH discussions when required. It is essential that the practitioner is able to offer clear, balanced and evidence-based findings to our partner agencies in the best interest of children.
This is to ensure that they are receiving a timely and robust package of support from professionals around them.
Job Description:
- Effectively evaluate/triage all incoming referrals to form a professional assessment and recommendation for Children and Families.
- Triage and analyse referrals which may include requests to support Children under Section 17 CiN and Children at risk of immediate harm who require immediate protection under Section 47 of the Children Act.
- Have a good understanding of Early Help Services within Somerset and understand the interface between these two strands in order to ensure recommendations are proportionate and the correct service is provided for Children and Families in line with their needs.
- Understand, uphold and promote the aims of the council's equality, diversity and inclusion policies; health, safety and wellbeing of self and others; and Organisational values in everything you do.
Remedy Social Care is an APSCo Standard agency and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the vulnerable. Successful applicants will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure via the DBS. Our objective is to be an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from everyone with suitable skills and ability regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, age, religion or belief. All applications will be accepted and reviewed solely on merit.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Qualified Social Worker - children in need
✨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 Remedy Social Work.
✨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 Remedy Social Work!
✨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 Remedy Social Work, 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 Remedy Social Work 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 Qualified Social Worker - children in need
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 Remedy Social Work:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Remedy Social Work! 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 Remedy Social Work
✨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.
