At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct assessments and support families in providing permanent care for children.
- Company: Sheldon Phillips, dedicated to personalised job searches and support.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid working, and a supportive management team.
- Other info: Join a stable team with opportunities for personal growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Social Work Qualification, registration, and experience in fostering or permanence services.
Location: London Borough of Islington
Pay/Salary: £37 to £38.50 per hour
Office Working: Hybrid
Contract: Locum
We are currently working with the London Borough of Islington to find an experienced Social Worker for their Permanence team in Children's Services. With a stable management team and a mostly permanent workforce, Islington are looking for someone with solid experience who is able to hit the ground running.
Duties
- To undertake Special Guardianship assessments of family members both inside and outside of London.
- To undertake thorough Connected Persons assessments of family members and friends who wish to provide permanent care for children who are unable to live with their parents.
- To produce well-evidenced, high-quality assessment reports with clear recommendations, and to attend court proceedings when required to support the recommendation.
- Where a child is already placed with the connected person being assessed, the post holder will carry out a supervisory role, including completing statutory visits, monitoring the placement, and presenting to the Fostering Panel.
- To build and maintain effective working relationships with families, ensuring a consistently high standard of service delivery.
- To contribute positively to team working and provide reports of a high standard to both Court and Panel.
- To participate in regular one-to-one reflective supervision with the line manager, as well as group supervision.
- To undertake any other duties and responsibilities commensurate with the role as required.
What you need
- Social Work Qualification
- Social Work England registration
- Enhanced DBS (provided by us)
- Experience working in a fostering/permanence or similar service
If you are interested in this Social Worker role in a Permanence team in Islington, give Rhys Rafferty a call or email.
Referrals: Do you know someone who would be ideal and interested in this role? Refer them to Sheldon Phillips, and if we successfully place them into a Locum role, you receive a £300 Referral Bonus as a thank you.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker - Fostering / Permanence - Special Guardianship
✨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 - Fostering / Permanence - Special Guardianship
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 - Fostering / Permanence - Special Guardianship 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.