At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to provide vital support and assessments for adults in need.
- Company: Rutland County Council, a top-performing local authority in Adult Social Care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension scheme, and a focus on wellbeing.
- Other info: Supportive team culture with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in adult care and strong assessment skills.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Rutland County Council is pleased to advertise an exciting opportunity for a Social Worker to join our Adult Social Care Contact and Response Team. This is a 2-year fixed-term opportunity within a high-performing Adult Social Care service, created to strengthen capacity within our front door team and support continued service development.
We recognise that candidates are often seeking stability and career progression, and while this post is fixed term, Rutland County Council is committed to supporting and developing its workforce. Fixed-term opportunities within Adult Social Care can provide valuable experience, professional development and future progression opportunities within the organisation.
Rutland County Council has been recognised as a top performing local authority in England for Adult Social Care, reflecting the strength of our practice, outcomes for people who draw on support, and the supportive environment we provide for our staff.
About the Role
The Contact and Response Team sits at the front door of Adult Social Care, providing advice, triage, assessment and short-term intervention to adults who may require support. The team plays a key role in promoting independence, prevention and early intervention across the Rutland community.
As a Social Worker within the team, you will undertake strengths-based assessments, support planning and short-term casework, whilst working closely with partner agencies to ensure people receive the right support at the right time.
You will be involved in:
- Undertaking Care Act assessments and developing outcome-focused support plans
- Providing information, advice and signposting to individuals, carers and professionals
- Triage and screening of referrals within a busy front door service
- Completing Mental Capacity Assessments, Best Interest decisions and Decision Support Tools
- Identifying and responding to safeguarding concerns
- Facilitating personal budgets and direct payments
- Working collaboratively with health colleagues and partner agencies
- Maintaining accurate and high-quality case recording in line with service standards
Within Contact and Response, practitioners benefit from:
- Manageable caseloads
- Supportive and visible management
- Strong reflective supervision
- Opportunities to develop front door social work skills
- Close partnership working across health and Adult Social Care
- A collaborative and supportive team culture
Within Contact and Response you will be part of a friendly and collaborative team that values open discussion, shared learning and professional curiosity. We work closely together to manage risk, support one another and deliver high-quality, person-centred practice. Regular supervision, informal peer support and opportunities to develop your skills are an important part of how we work.
This role offers excellent experience for Social Workers wanting to further develop their assessment, triage, safeguarding and decision-making skills within a responsive Adult Social Care service. We welcome applications from Social Workers who are looking to broaden their experience within a front door Adult Social Care setting and join a supportive, high-performing team.
The successful candidate will be required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Costs for the DBS and Social Work England registration are covered by Rutland County Council. Please note that you will need a full driving licence to enable you to travel across the county.
About You
You will be an experienced and reflective Social Worker who is confident working within a fast-paced Adult Social Care environment, making timely and proportionate decisions to support adults and manage risk effectively.
You will:
- Be a qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England
- Have experience working with adults in a statutory, health or social care setting
- Demonstrate a good understanding of the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act and safeguarding responsibilities
- Be confident undertaking strengths-based assessments and managing risk
- Have the ability to triage referrals and make proportionate, defensible decisions
- Communicate effectively with individuals, carers, colleagues and partner agencies
- Work collaboratively whilst using your own professional judgement
Informal enquiries
For an informal conversation about the role, please contact: Alison Morgan, Head of Prevention and Assurance ASC amorgan@rutland.gov.uk
We review applications frequently; however, in periods of high demand, the role may close earlier than advertised, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Our benefits
- Competitive salary
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- A strong focus on health, wellbeing, and work-life balance
For further information on the benefits of working for Rutland, please see our careers page: Jobs and volunteering | Rutland County Council
Our Values
Our values - Passionate, Ambitious, Work Together, and Make a Difference - guide everything we do. We're looking for people who share these values and want to contribute to strong, supportive teams that deliver positive outcomes for our communities.
Social Worker Contact and Response employer: Rutland County Council
Rutland County Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises the wellbeing and professional growth of its employees. With a strong focus on work-life balance, generous annual leave, and a commitment to delivering high-quality, person-centred support, we foster a collaborative and supportive work culture. Our values of Passionate, Ambitious, Work Together, and Make a Difference guide our mission, making Rutland a rewarding place to build a meaningful career in adult social care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker Contact and Response
✨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 Rutland County 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 Rutland County 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 Rutland County 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 Rutland County 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 Social Worker Contact and Response
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 Rutland County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Rutland County 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 Rutland County 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.
