At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a team to assess and support children's needs in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Reading Borough Council, dedicated to safeguarding and promoting welfare.
- Benefits: Personal consultant support, referral bonuses, and weekly payrolls.
- Other info: Equal opportunities employer welcoming diverse applicants.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work and strong analytical skills required.
Our client Reading Borough Council is looking for a Higher Specialist Social Worker to join their Single Point of Access team.
Job Purpose
This role is situated within the front door for early help and safeguarding. You will work as part of a team to gather, review and evaluate information in regard to children's needs, including children in need of help, intervention and protection. This is not a case holding role; the role requires a number of children and families to be considered and for informed and timely recommendations to promote the welfare of children, ensuring they receive the help they need at the time they need this.
Your role
- Work within BFfC policy procedures and good practice guidelines in order to meet the needs of children enabling them to source the help, support and protection they need.
- Ensure and deliver on the timely progression of contacts, promoting a whole family approach while focusing on the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
- Be competent and comfortable working within a high-pressured environment that requires high standards of screening and progression of contacts in short timescales.
- Work closely with others to explore the needs of children and their families, initiating and maintaining positive working relationships with other professionals, partner organisations and external agencies.
- Consider the emerging needs of children and young people in conjunction with the Threshold guidance, ensuring that any challenges are resolved at the earliest opportunity and with the child's welfare remaining the focus.
- Carefully and quickly, make enquiries and source information, with explicit adherence to consent models and established information sharing pathways, to assess a child/young person's needs.
- Demonstrate sound analytical skills that critically evaluates information received, forming well balanced and evidenced based recommendations. Your analysis will be informed by relevant research and theory.
Benefits of working with Remedy
- A personal one-one service from your highly experienced dedicated consultant.
- Top tier supplier across London giving us first access to jobs.
- Referral bonus - up to £250* per person placed.
- Double payrolls each week.
*Terms & Conditions apply
You will be required to fully register with Remedy for all locum positions. Remedy Social Care is a 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.
Higher Specialist Social Worker - Single Point of Access in Reading employer: Remedy Social Work
Reading Borough Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the welfare of children and families. As part of the Single Point of Access team, you will benefit from professional development opportunities and a collaborative environment, ensuring that your contributions make a meaningful impact in safeguarding vulnerable children. With a commitment to equal opportunities and a focus on employee well-being, this role provides a rewarding career path in a vital public service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Higher Specialist Social Worker - Single Point of Access in Reading
✨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 Higher Specialist Social Worker - Single Point of Access in Reading
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.
