At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families, ensuring their needs are met through effective assessments and action plans.
- Company: Join Southend City Council, a progressive organisation with a 'Good' OFSTED rating.
- Benefits: Comprehensive training, hybrid working options, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment focused on holistic child development and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your social work career.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in court work preferred.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Your New Organisation
Children Services - OFSTED RATING 2024 – GOOD. “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 they support”
CPD “The training and development offered in Southend is comprehensive and equips staff effectively to deliver their work with children and families.
LEADERS INPUT “Leaders understand their local communities and have used this knowledge strategically and effectively to meet children’s needs”
Our vision is A Southend Where All Children Achieve Success. By joining Southend City Council as a Social Worker, you will be key in making our vision a reality for all children.
You will be joining a service where we demonstrate with pride that:
- All paths lead back to the child.
- We spend time getting to know each child and their story.
- We do what we say we're going to do.
- We work with the whole family.
- No matter what, we aim to make things better.
You will provide support to work to the highest standard using our model of practice, Restorative Practice, to deliver the vision. You will access a professional social work development offer that has been designed by social workers, whatever stage you are at in your career. You will be given regular restorative supervision and separate supervision focussing on development and evidencing your SWE registration.
We want everyone to take the lead in an area of interest for your team, and you will explore this with your line manager.
Your new role
There is a clear focus by children’s carers and their social workers on finding out what children and young people enjoy. Southend City Council are looking to appoint a full-time permanent Qualified Social Worker for their Children Looked After Team (CLA). The CLA team work with children once care proceedings have concluded. There is some court work around revocation of care orders, contact disputes and making adoption orders. Therefore, some experience of court work would be preferable; the current case load is between 16-18.
You will be required to provide an efficient and cost-effective service to children, young people and their families, ensuring that the needs of the children and their parents/carers are professionally assessed. Investigate, evaluate and analyse information on cases, demonstrating clarity of assessment, reliability of information, evidence conclusions and realistic action plans.
Ensure adequate recording that evidences practice and develops practice that takes a holistic view of the individual, locating them in both their immediate and extended social circles, and having full regard to their overall development needs. Ensure that all case management complies with the statutory requirements and the Council’s policies and procedures.
You will need to prepare and submit written reports as and when required, including statements and care plans for care proceedings in the Family Proceedings, County and High Courts.
Nowhere else will you gain as much experience on the job, making us a sought-after place to work. If you are passionate, dedicated to making a change and ready for a challenge – you could be the candidate we are looking for.
Within this position, hybrid working opportunities are available. However, you are required to be on-site at the Civic Centre a minimum of 2 days a week.
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.
R2R103785 - Social Worker Children Looked After Team - Permanent employer: South End City Council
Southend on Sea City Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment where your efforts directly impact the local community. With 25 days of annual leave, flexible working arrangements, and outstanding training opportunities, employees can achieve a healthy work-life balance while growing their careers in public service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land R2R103785 - Social Worker Children Looked After Team - Permanent
✨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 South End City Council.
✨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 South End City Council!
✨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 South End City Council, 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 South End City Council 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 R2R103785 - Social Worker Children Looked After Team - Permanent
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 South End City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to South End City Council! 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 South End City Council
✨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.
