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- Tasks: Support children and families to achieve their goals and ensure their safety.
- Company: Join a dedicated team at South Gloucestershire Council making a real difference.
- Benefits: Generous leave, wellbeing support, staff discounts, and career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive team that values your creativity and impact on young lives.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with relevant experience in children's services.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; strong team ethos and manageable caseloads.
The predicted salary is between 36363 - 48226 £ per year.
Location: Westgate Centre
Salary Range: £36,363 - £48,226
Position Type: Full-Time
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 29.60
How you'll make a difference
Our social workers make a real difference. Every day, they work with families to help children and young people who have had a difficult start in life to achieve their ambitions. You'll be listening to young people, putting them at the heart of everything we do and work in partnership with families to equip them with the skills they need to ensure young people live in happy, healthy and safe homes. We're pleased to say that we provide an Ofsted rated 'Good' service.
What you will be doing
You would be working within an established team of experienced social workers who undertake statutory social work in the areas of Child Protection (CP), Children in Need (CiN) and the initial stages of Looked After Children (LAC), as well as working within the Public Law Outline and Care Proceedings. We have a strong culture of giving staff the time, freedom and support to explore new and better ways of doing things, so we're looking for individuals keen to use their creativity to deliver high quality, child-centred practices, which ensure the best outcomes for children and families.
You will provide information, advice and support to children, young people, their families and carers to enable children to enjoy and achieve social inclusion. You are responsible for fulfilling a duty to safeguard vulnerable children and young people and to assess need, develop plans and provide services where appropriate. You will then review these plans regularly to ensure that outcomes are being achieved. It will be key for you to ensure vulnerable children and young people are protected and supported to achieve positive outcomes through the provision of well planned, integrated and coordinated services.
What we need from you
We require you to be a qualified Social Worker with relevant registration to practice with Social Work England (SWE) or pending your formal qualification award and registration. You will have already successfully completed your ASYE (where qualifying since 2012) and have substantial post qualifying experience in a children's services role, unless you are seeking a newly qualified position. Given the elements of this role, you will be used to solving problems, be confident about making important decisions and are passionate about working with children, young people and families to meet their goals and aspirations.
If seeking an Advanced Social Worker position, you will be able to demonstrate specialist knowledge of the relevant services including latest service developments, legislation, regulations and codes of practice. Those seeking a Senior Social Worker position will in addition to the above, have experience of supervision or mentoring of social workers or support staff and substantial first-hand experience in a relevant children's social care team.
What you need to know
This role is based in the Central Locality Hub in the Westgate Centre, Yate. Although this post is advertised as a full-time position, we encourage and welcome applications from experienced social workers who may be seeking part time, job share or flexible working arrangements. Please note that due to the nature of this role, it is a requirement of employment that an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is obtained. You will be expected to travel throughout the authority and surrounding area so you must have a full, valid driving licence with regular access to a vehicle insured for business use or have an alternative suitable means of travel.
How a career at South Gloucestershire Council is different
As part of our benefits package, you will receive generous annual leave (pro rata), employee wellbeing support and you will have access to a range of staff discounts, including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities. We recognise that our diverse team of skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and developed on the basis of their merits and abilities.
We invest in the careers of our people, and we are recognised for the quality, breadth and depth of our training and development offer, which helps our people make the greatest long-term difference in their work. What's special here is the strength of the team ethos. We are a relatively small local authority, so managers know staff well. They can plan their services to ensure teams have manageable caseloads and have effective supervision so feel supported to make decisions which are right for the children and young people they work with.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Ensuring all our staff are given right skills, knowledge and support to recognise and respond effectively to potential abuse or neglect.
Staff are overwhelmingly positive about working for South Gloucestershire Council. Staff report feeling heard and responded to by senior leaders. Reduced workloads, increased stability of managers and more business support have strengthened their ability to respond to and improve the quality of practice for children. A wealth of concentrated training, including the Programme for Change initiative, has developed skill sets and expertise of staff. Staff benefit from a clear pathway of career progression, including a bespoke managers development programme.
A career at South Gloucestershire is an opportunity for you to progress when you are ready. Any post can become any social worker grade, be it at initial recruitment or through internal progression.
These posts attract a gross lump sum £3,000 'recruitment payment' pro rata offered to enable Social Workers who have already successfully completed their ASYE to join our permanent workforce. This is payable upon successful completion of your probationary period (after approximately 3-6 months) and is subject to eligibility criteria. These posts are currently eligible for a market factor £3,000 'retention payment' pro rata, payable in November annually to those with two years' service with the council in Children's Social Care in an eligible post, inclusive of any ASYE period.
Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here. We're building and shaping communities which people are proud of. We're providing essential services across our communities to ensure they are safe and well maintained. We've achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference. We're making a difference, be part of it!
Advanced / Senior Social Worker - Localities Team employer: South Gloucestershire Council
Contact Detail:
South Gloucestershire Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced / Senior Social Worker - Localities Team
✨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 and scenarios specific to social work. Think about your experiences with child protection and family support, and be ready to share how you've made a difference in those situations.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your enthusiasm for working with children and families shine through. Share your ideas on how to improve services and outcomes for young people.
✨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 our team and making a real impact in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Advanced / Senior Social Worker - Localities Team
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for in an Advanced/Senior Social Worker.
Showcase Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for working with children and families shine through! Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles, as this will resonate with us and demonstrate your commitment to the cause.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your key skills and experiences are easy to spot. This helps us see your potential quickly!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our official website! This ensures we receive all the necessary information and gives you the best chance of standing out in the process.
How to prepare for a job interview at South Gloucestershire Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest legislation and best practices in social work, especially those related to child protection and care proceedings. Being able to discuss recent developments shows your commitment and expertise.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that highlight your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Think about times when you made a significant impact on a child's life or worked effectively with families.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
Since this role involves working within an established team, be ready to talk about how you collaborate with others. Share experiences where you’ve supported colleagues or contributed to a positive team environment.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the team culture, ongoing training opportunities, and how the council supports its social workers. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
