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- Tasks: Support children in care, manage caseloads, and prepare essential reports.
- Company: Join Southend City Council's highly-rated CLA team.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working, and generous leave.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Must have a recognised Social Work qualification and relevant experience.
- Other info: Work in a supportive environment with excellent training opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 39152 - 45091 £ per year.
Southend City Council is looking for qualified Social Workers to join their Children Looked After (CLA) Team, recently rated “Good” by Ofsted (2024). The CLA team works with children after care proceedings have concluded, supporting them to thrive in safe, stable, and loving placements.
This specialist role includes:
- Managing a caseload of 16–18 children, delivering statutory social work support
- Preparing care plans, statements, and reports for care proceedings, adoption orders, contact disputes, and revocation of care orders
- Working collaboratively with carers, families, and partner agencies to meet children’s individual needs
- Applying Restorative Practice and relationship-based approaches to support children’s wellbeing
- Ensuring statutory requirements, council policies, and best practice guidance are met
This is a great opportunity to make a real difference in children’s lives while working in a supportive environment that values learning and professional development.
The ideal candidate will have:
- A recognised Social Work qualification and Social Work England registration
- Completion of ASYE (or equivalent experience)
- Experience in Children’s Frontline services, including Child Protection, Looked After Children, and Child in Need cases
- Knowledge of statutory social work practice and legal frameworks
- Excellent communication, assessment, and report-writing skills
- Commitment to working collaboratively with children, families, and colleagues
Benefits include:
- One-off £7,500 incentive after 3 years and 1 day in post
- Hybrid working opportunities – 2 days per week onsite at the Civic Centre
- 25 days annual leave, increasing with service
- Comprehensive training and professional development opportunities
- Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance
- Supportive, child-focused environment with restorative supervision and career growth
If you are a passionate Social Worker looking to make a real impact on children in care, we want to hear from you. Apply today to join Southend City Council’s CLA team and help create a future where all children achieve success.
Permanent Social Worker – Children Looked After (CLA) Team in Southend-on-Sea employer: Social Personnel
Contact Detail:
Social Personnel Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Permanent Social Worker – Children Looked After (CLA) Team in Southend-on-Sea
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, attend local events, and join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions specific to social work. Think about your experiences with children looked after and how you've applied restorative practices. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for making a difference! During interviews, share stories that highlight your commitment to children's wellbeing and your collaborative approach with families and agencies. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly cares.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining Southend City Council’s CLA team and making a real impact in children’s lives.
We think you need these skills to ace Permanent Social Worker – Children Looked After (CLA) Team in Southend-on-Sea
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience and skills that match the role. We want to see how your background in social work aligns with the needs of the Children Looked After team.
Showcase Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for working with children shine through! We love candidates who are genuinely passionate about making a difference in children's lives, so share your motivations and experiences that fuel this passion.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that demonstrate your communication skills, especially since report-writing is a key part of the job.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity in the CLA team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Social Personnel
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of statutory social work practice and legal frameworks. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by children looked after, as well as the latest Ofsted ratings and what they mean for the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in Children’s Frontline services. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've managed caseloads, prepared care plans, and worked collaboratively with families and partner agencies.
✨Emphasise Communication Skills
Since excellent communication is key in this role, think of instances where your communication skills made a difference. Whether it was during assessments or report writing, be prepared to highlight these moments.
✨Align with Their Values
Southend City Council values a supportive environment and professional development. Be sure to express your commitment to working collaboratively and your passion for making a real difference in children's lives. This will resonate well with the interviewers.
