Salary: £15.66 per hour
Location: Leicester (Office-based)
Client: Leicestershire County Council
Contract Type: Temporary – 3 months
Hours: Full time – 37 hours (Monday–Thursday 08:30–17:00, Friday 08:30–16:30)
About the Role
Join Leicestershire County Council’s First Response Screening Team, where you will assist social workers in responding to safeguarding concerns and assessing risk for vulnerable children. This is a fast-paced, dynamic environment offering a meaningful opportunity to contribute to child protection and family support. You will work directly with professionals from social care, targeted family help, the police, health services, and other agencies to ensure that families and children receive appropriate and timely support.
Key Responsibilities
- Handle incoming telephone calls and emails related to safeguarding and urgent referrals.
- Provide initial advice to families using scripts and established guidance.
- Signpost families to self-help resources and external services.
- Recognise and escalate cases that require intervention by qualified social workers.
- Support professionals by advising on thresholds and appropriate referral pathways.
- Maintain awareness of local and national support services and eligibility criteria.
- Accurately record information using electronic systems (e.g. Mosaic).
- Participate in regular supervision and reflective POD (team) meetings.
Experience & Knowledge
- Previous experience in a fast-paced administrative, customer service, or social care environment.
- Understanding of safeguarding and the importance of timely information sharing.
- Familiarity with multi-agency working.
- Experience working in Children’s Services.
- Knowledge of social care processes and referral pathways.
- Previous use of Mosaic or similar case management systems.
Skills & Competencies
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong organisational and time-management abilities.
- Ability to remain calm and professional under pressure.
- Comfortable asking sensitive questions and handling confidential information.
- IT proficiency, including email and database systems.
- Team player with the ability to work independently when required.
Additional Requirements
- Must be adaptable and able to work to tight deadlines.
- Willingness to learn and engage in professional development.
- Commitment to upholding the values of Leicestershire County Council, including safeguarding and equality.
Social Work Assistant in Glenfield employer: Service Care Solutions
Leicestershire County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment for Social Work Assistants. With a strong commitment to safeguarding and family support, employees benefit from professional development opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the community. The office-based role in Leicester provides a collaborative atmosphere, where teamwork and communication are valued, ensuring that staff can thrive while contributing to the welfare of vulnerable children and families.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Work Assistant in Glenfield
✨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 Service Care Solutions.
✨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 Service Care Solutions!
✨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 Service Care Solutions, 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 Service Care Solutions or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
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 Service Care Solutions:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Service Care Solutions! 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 Service Care Solutions
✨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.
