At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families, making a real difference in their lives.
- Company: Join Southend City Council – a supportive and empowering workplace.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, flexible working, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a positive change in a Good-rated service by Ofsted.
- Why this job: Kickstart your social work career with exceptional support and a clear career pathway.
- Qualifications: Must be a Qualified Social Worker or nearing completion of your degree.
The predicted salary is between 31650 - 40000 £ per year.
Your New Organisation
Join Southend City Council – Children’s Services as a Newly Qualified Social Worker! Begin your social work career with exceptional support, development, and purpose. Children’s Services in Southend were judged Good by Ofsted in 2024, who said: Many workers have chosen to both live and work in Southend. They have seen positive cultural changes in the organisation and describe Southend as not just being a good place to live but now also a good place to work. Social workers speak with warmth and knowledge about the children and families that they support. The training and development offered in Southend is comprehensive and equips staff effectively to deliver their work with children and families. This is your opportunity to join a service where staff feel valued, supported, and empowered to make a real difference.
Your new role
It is an exciting time to join Southend City Council – Children’s Services as we begin recruitment for our next cohort of Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs). If you are passionate about improving children’s life chances and want to work in an environment that encourages critical thinking, reflective practice, and confident decision‑making, then we would love to welcome you into the Southend Family!
Start Strong with Our ASYE Programme
Join our Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) Programme and be part of positive and sustainable change in Southend. Our ASYE programme follows the national framework for practice development and offers a bespoke, personalised experience designed around your learning, confidence, and career aspirations. We are committed to ensuring you have a rewarding, reflective, and supportive experience in practice, giving you the strongest foundation for a long and thriving career in children’s social care.
What We Offer
- Your Professional Development
- CPD days dedicated to your individual Professional Development Plan
- Access to the Southend Social Care Academy, offering extensive learning opportunities including seminars, workshops, accredited training and access to Learning and Resources Platform
- Comprehensive induction covering key teams, roles, and pathways
- Continued support even after completing the first year of employment
- Your Support
- Protected caseloads and protected time for learning
- Monthly reflective practice groups
- Consistent coaching, mentoring, and one‑to‑one support from the Social Care Academy
- Dedicated supervision from your manager and an assessor
- Your Future
- A clear career pathway within Children’s Services
- Competitive salary and access to essential social work tools and resources
- Attractive employee benefits, including flexible working arrangements and generous annual leave
Our Families First Programme
As a Newly Qualified Social Worker, you will play a crucial role in Southend’s Families First Programme—our early help and prevention offer designed to support children, young people, and families before difficulties escalate. This programme strengthens your practice by giving you opportunities to:
- Work alongside multi‑disciplinary partners to deliver early intervention
- Build meaningful, strengths‑based relationships with families
- Develop confidence in holistic assessment and family‑led planning
- Gain broader experience in preventative, restorative, and community‑focused approaches
Families First is central to our whole‑system model of support. It will enrich your learning, deepen your understanding of local needs and assets, and will help you develop a wider skill set across Children’s Services.
What you'll need to succeed
To be shortlisted for this position, you must be either a Qualified Social Worker or just finishing your Social Work degree. You must have UK experience of working within Children and Families. You will have knowledge of child protection, looked after children and associated child in need social work practice. Knowledge and understanding of social work interventions along with relevant legislation, regulations, guidance and safeguarding issues.
What you’ll get in return
When joining the council, you can enjoy a range of benefits including: 25 days annual leave, flexible working and excellent training and development opportunities. They are committed to ensuring that you are supported in this varied and challenging role with the appropriate level of training. A full list of benefits provided by Southend Council can be viewed on the "Why Work For Us?" tab. All applicants for this role will require an enhanced DBS check. The Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications, regardless of race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, age or religion or belief.
R2R103780 - Newly Qualified Social Worker - Children Services - Family Support Team employer: South End City Council
Southend City Council – Children’s Services is an exceptional employer for Newly Qualified Social Workers, offering a supportive and empowering environment where staff feel valued. With a strong commitment to professional development through the ASYE Programme, comprehensive training, and protected caseloads, employees can thrive while making a meaningful impact on children's lives. The positive work culture, coupled with attractive benefits such as flexible working arrangements and generous annual leave, makes Southend an ideal place to start your social work career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land R2R103780 - Newly Qualified Social Worker - Children Services - Family Support Team
✨Tap Into Local Support Groups
Get involved with local community support groups or charities related to social work. These places are often hubs for networking and can lead to trainee opportunities at organisations like South End City Council. Plus, volunteering can give you hands-on experience that makes your application pop!
✨Connect with University Career Services
If you’re still studying, use your university's career services to find trainee roles in social work. They often have partnerships with organisations and can help set up interviews at places like South End City Council. Don’t underestimate those dedicated programmes; they’re made for people like us!
✨Attend Social Work Events
Keep an eye out for workshops, conferences, or networking events in the social work field. These can be fantastic for meeting professionals from organisations like South End City Council and getting insights on what they look for in trainees.
✨Showcase Your Passion Online
Build a portfolio or a blog where you share your thoughts on social work issues. This not only showcases your passion but also makes you more visible to companies like South End City Council looking for trainees who genuinely care about the field. We can all make a difference, so let your enthusiasm shine!
We think you need these skills to ace R2R103780 - Newly Qualified Social Worker - Children Services - Family Support Team
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for helping others shine through. Talk about experiences that sparked your interest in social work, whether that’s volunteer work, personal experiences, or relevant coursework. We're looking for trainees who genuinely care – that passion is what makes a difference!
Highlight Relevant Experiences:Even if you haven’t worked in social work before, think about transferable skills from other roles or volunteering. Mention things like teamwork, empathy, and problem-solving. Include specific examples that demonstrate your abilities and how they relate to the social work field.
Tailor Your CV for Social Work:When it comes to your CV, make sure to include any relevant qualifications or certifications, like first aid or mental health first responder training. Also, focus on any academic achievements related to social work, such as modules you've taken or projects you’ve completed that showcase your skills in the field.
Be Ready to Discuss Your Learning Goals:As a trainee, it’s important to emphasise your eagerness to learn and grow. Be prepared to mention what you hope to gain from the experience at South End City Council. This shows that you're not just looking for a job, but a chance to develop your skills and make a real impact in social work.
How to prepare for a job interview at South End City Council
✨Know Your Theories
Brush up on key social work theories and frameworks, especially those relevant to the specific role at South End City Council. Be ready to demonstrate your understanding of models like the ecological systems theory or strengths-based approaches, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Emphasise Your Empathy
As a trainee in social work, you'll need to showcase your interpersonal skills. Prepare to share examples where you've demonstrated empathy and understanding in challenging situations, whether in prior experiences or your studies.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect the interviewers to put you through situational questions that test your problem-solving and crisis management skills. Practice responding to hypothetical scenarios you might face as a social worker, focusing on how you would assess and intervene in those situations.
✨Showcase Your Motivation for Learning
As a trainee, it’s vital to express your eagerness to learn and grow in your role at South End City Council. Be prepared to discuss what specific skills you hope to develop during the traineeship and how your passion for social work drives your career aspirations.
