At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage care proceedings and support children through legal processes.
- Company: Join Blackburn with Darwen Children's Services, rated 'Good' by Ofsted.
- Benefits: Earn £39 per hour with a hybrid working model and supportive team.
- Other info: Opportunity for contract extension and professional growth in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advancing your social work career.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with 3+ years of experience in children's social work.
Sheldon Phillips are working in partnership with Blackburn with Darwen Children's Services to recruit an experienced Social Worker to join their Children in Our Care (CIOC) Court Team on a long-term agency contract. Rated 'Good' by Ofsted in its full ILACS inspection, Blackburn with Darwen continues to invest in high-quality social work practice and positive outcomes for children. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced practitioner with a strong background in care proceedings, court work and permanency planning to join a supportive and well-established service.
This role is primarily focused on care proceedings and court work, supporting children who are subject to ongoing legal proceedings and ensuring all statutory responsibilities and court-directed actions are completed within required timescales. Whilst there may be some involvement with children who remain looked after following the conclusion of proceedings, this is not a traditional long-term Children in Care role.
Role Overview
As a Social Worker within the CIOC Court Team, you will manage a caseload of children subject to care proceedings, undertaking all statutory duties required throughout the legal process. You will be responsible for preparing high-quality court reports, completing assessments, attending court hearings and progressing permanence planning for children where appropriate. Working closely with legal services, guardians, foster carers and multi-agency partners, you will ensure that children's needs remain central to all planning and decision-making whilst meeting both local authority and court-directed timescales. The role offers a hybrid working arrangement with a requirement to attend the office a minimum of three days per week.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a caseload of children subject to care proceedings.
- Undertake all statutory responsibilities for children looked after during ongoing legal proceedings.
- Complete comprehensive assessments, care plans and permanence planning documentation.
- Prepare high-quality court statements, reports and evidence for court hearings.
- Attend court hearings and provide professional evidence when required.
- Work closely with legal services, Children's Guardians and partner agencies throughout proceedings.
- Progress permanence plans for children, including rehabilitation, Special Guardianship, fostering and adoption where appropriate.
- Undertake direct work with children and families to inform assessments and planning.
- Ensure all court directions and local authority timescales are met.
- Maintain accurate and timely recordings using Protocol/LCS.
- Participate in statutory reviews, planning meetings and multi-agency forums.
- Support children who remain looked after following proceedings where permanence arrangements are still being progressed.
Benefits
- Competitive rate of £39 per hour.
- Initial 6-month contract with the potential for extension.
- Hybrid working model.
- Minimum office attendance of three days per week.
- Opportunity to work within a well-regarded Ofsted-rated Good authority.
- Dedicated focus on care proceedings and court work for experienced practitioners seeking specialist legal casework.
- Supportive management and collaborative team environment.
Requirements
- Social Work England registration.
- Qualified Social Worker (Degree, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent).
- Minimum of 3 years' post-qualified experience within children's social work.
- Strong experience of care proceedings, court work and longer-term safeguarding.
- Experience preparing court statements and presenting evidence within legal proceedings.
- Sound knowledge of Children Act legislation, Public Law Outline and care planning processes.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and meet court-directed deadlines.
- Experience using Protocol/LCS is desirable.
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
- Strong communication, assessment and analytical skills.
If you're an experienced Children's Social Worker with a strong court and care proceedings background looking for your next agency assignment, we'd love to hear from you.
Social Worker in Blackburn employer: Sheldon Phillips Ltd
Blackburn with Darwen Children's Services is an excellent employer, offering a competitive rate of £39 per hour and a supportive work environment focused on high-quality social work practice. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and a collaborative team culture, this role provides the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in children's lives while benefiting from a hybrid working model and the backing of a well-regarded Ofsted-rated authority.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker in Blackburn
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to Sheldon Phillips Ltd, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker in Blackburn
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of Sheldon Phillips Ltd. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at Sheldon Phillips Ltd. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sheldon Phillips Ltd
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with Sheldon Phillips Ltd.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Social Worker role at Sheldon Phillips Ltd, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show Sheldon Phillips Ltd that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
