At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children by assessing family-based fostering options and ensuring their emotional well-being.
- Company: Join Wigan Council's dedicated Fostering Team with a supportive management structure.
- Benefits: Earn up to £35 per hour, enjoy flexible office work, and gain valuable experience.
- Other info: Personalised job search support from Sheldon Phillips to help you find your perfect role.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Must have a Professional Social Work Qualification and active registration.
Location: Wigan Council
Pay/Salary: up to £35 per hour
Office Working: 2 Days per week
Contract: Locum - 3 Months +
We are currently working with Wigan Council to find an experienced Social Worker for their Fostering Team within Children’s Services. Supported by a stable management team and a mostly permanent workforce, Wigan are seeking a Social Worker with solid experience to pick up a caseload and support their services effectively.
Duties
- Perform Connected Carers, Viability, and Regulation 24 Assessments as a Qualified Social Worker to explore safe family-based options.
- Act as a dedicated Fostering Social Worker, supervising and supporting Friends and Family Foster Carers operating under Regulation 24 to keep children within their extended networks safely.
- Deliver child-centred practice as a Social Worker, prioritizing safeguarding, placement stability, and emotional well-being while maintaining full regulatory compliance.
- Work collaboratively with social work teams, carers, and multi-agency partners to improve long-term outcomes for children.
- Use strong interpersonal skills and initiative to build supportive relationships and solve complex social work challenges creatively.
Requirements
- Professional Social Work Qualification
- Active Social Work England Registration
- Mandatory experience completing Kinship or Fostering Assessments
- Enhanced DBS (provided by us)
If you are interested in this Social Worker role in Wigan, contact Emily Cooper at Sheldon Phillips today.
Fostering Social Worker in Wigan employer: Sheldon Phillips Ltd
Leicestershire County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work environment with a stable management team and an OUTSTANDING Ofsted rating. Employees benefit from flexible office working arrangements, opportunities for professional growth, and a strong focus on child-centred practice, making it a rewarding place to advance your social work career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Fostering Social Worker in Wigan
✨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 Sheldon Phillips Ltd.
✨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 Sheldon Phillips Ltd!
✨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 Sheldon Phillips Ltd, 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 Sheldon Phillips Ltd 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 Fostering Social Worker in Wigan
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 Sheldon Phillips Ltd:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Sheldon Phillips Ltd! 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 Sheldon Phillips Ltd
✨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.
