At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable children and families, ensuring their safety and wellbeing.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking local authority in Cambridgeshire.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hybrid working, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Supportive team environment with strong management and supervision.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in children's services.
The predicted salary is between 41958 - 44822 £ per year.
We are currently seeking dedicated and passionate Social Workers to join a well-established Family Support & Safeguarding service across Cambridgeshire. This is an excellent opportunity to be part of a forward‑thinking local authority that values flexibility, professional development, and delivering meaningful outcomes for children and families. You will play a key role in supporting vulnerable children and their families, ensuring their safety and wellbeing while enabling positive, long‑term change.
Location: Cambridgeshire (Multiple locations available): Huntingdon, Wisbech, Cambridge City, East Cambridgeshire – Ely.
Working Arrangements: This role offers a flexible hybrid working model, combining office‑based work, home working, and visits within the community.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage a varied caseload of children and families, ensuring timely, effective interventions that promote stability and positive outcomes.
- Undertake Child and Family Assessments, Section 47 enquiries, and other statutory duties in line with legislation and local safeguarding procedures.
- Develop clear, outcome‑focused care and support plans, regularly reviewing progress and adapting interventions to meet changing needs.
- Build strong, professional relationships and carry out meaningful direct work with children, young people, and families to achieve sustainable change.
- Identify and assess risks, taking proactive steps to safeguard children, including initiating and managing child protection plans where necessary.
- Work closely with key partners including schools, health professionals, police, and other agencies to deliver coordinated support.
- Prepare high‑quality reports and care plans for court proceedings and represent the local authority where required.
- Attend and contribute to child protection conferences, core group meetings, strategy discussions, and reviews.
- Maintain accurate, up‑to‑date records in line with statutory requirements and organisational policies.
- Participate in regular supervision, reflective practice, and training to continuously develop your skills and knowledge.
About You:
- Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration.
- Experience within children's services, ideally in Family Support or Safeguarding.
- Strong assessment and analytical skills.
- Excellent communication and relationship‑building abilities.
- A proactive, resilient, and child‑focused approach.
What’s On Offer:
- Competitive salary: £41,958 – £44,822.
- Hybrid working model with flexible options from day one.
- Compressed hours opportunities.
- Relocation package available.
- Sponsorship transfer (swap) available.
- Retention payment after your first year.
- Supportive team environment with strong management and supervision.
- Opportunities for career progression and ongoing professional development.
Social Worker - Family Support and Safeguarding in Northampton employer: Schools Choice
Join a forward-thinking local authority in Cambridgeshire, where we prioritise flexibility and professional development for our Social Workers. With a supportive team environment, competitive salary, and opportunities for career progression, you will have the chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable children and families while enjoying a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker - Family Support and Safeguarding in Northampton
✨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 Schools Choice.
✨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 Schools Choice!
✨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 Schools Choice, 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 Schools Choice 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 - Family Support and Safeguarding in Northampton
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 Schools Choice:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Schools Choice! 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 Schools Choice
✨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.
