At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families to create positive change and ensure their safety.
- Company: South Gloucestershire Council, dedicated to making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, wellbeing support, and staff discounts on various services.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on vulnerable families while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: GCSE level education and experience in children and families services required.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and commitment to safeguarding children.
The predicted salary is between 29540 - 32061 £ per year.
Social Work Assistant
Location Locality Hub – Patchway
Salary Range £29,540 – £32,061
Position Type Part-Time
Contract Type Permanent
Hours 18.50
Overview
As a Social Work Assistant, you’ll be supporting children and their families to make a positive change, making a real difference for vulnerable local families and their children. You will give children a voice, working with them to express their wishes, thoughts and feelings whilst delivering support with a focus on what will make the biggest difference.
What you will be doing
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Daily, you will be supervising contact during family time and challenging parents, ensuring the safety of the child.
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Working under the direction of Social Workers, you will contribute to and review plans and services to improve intervention ideas.
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It will be your responsibility to refer issues if needed in accordance with safeguarding procedures to protect vulnerable people. This will require you to maintain confidential reports to professional and council guidelines.
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You will work directly with children and their parents, this could include family support and performing defined pieces of work under the direction of a qualified Social Worker.
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It will be key for you to liaise and work with Social Workers and external contacts such as education services and health agencies ensuring communication is effective.
What we need from you
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We require you to be educated to GCSE level or equivalent with considerable experience of working in a children and families service, which should include an assessment function, service provision and experience of preparing written records and reports.
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You should have an awareness and experience of dynamic risk assessment whilst preparing for and performing a task, and the ability to take appropriate action as a result of risks identified.
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Ideally, you will have experience and/or knowledge of child protection issues.
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Given the elements of the role, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice.
What you need to know
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This is a permanent part time role working 18.5 hours per week. (exact working pattern can be discussed at interview.)
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Salary will be pro rata to hours worked.
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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 for this post.
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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 or have an alternative means of travel. Business Insurance must be included in your current car policy.
Interviews will be held on Wednesday 8th October 2025.
How a career at South Gloucestershire Council is different
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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.
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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.
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We know our team work best when they have balance in their lives and we offer genuine flexibility to help them achieve that work/life balance.
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We value our staff as individuals, investing in their careers and we are recognized for the quality, breadth and depth of our training and development offer, which helps make the greatest long-term difference in work.
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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.
Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here.
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We’re building and shaping communities which people are proud of.
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We’re working with the most vulnerable in our community to help them achieve what they want in life.
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We’re investing in our schools to ensure every child and young person in South Gloucestershire achieves their full potential.
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!
To view the full job description, please contact the hiring team directly.
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Social Work Assistant employer: South Gloucestershire Council
Contact Detail:
South Gloucestershire Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Work Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the social work field, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. 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 your interviews by researching common questions for Social Work Assistants. Think about your experiences and how they relate to the role. Practising your answers will help you feel more confident and ready to impress!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for making a difference! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've positively impacted children and families in the past. This will demonstrate your commitment and suitability for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our organisation.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Work Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in children and families services. We want to see how your skills align with the role of a Social Work Assistant, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant experiences!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your thoughts are well-organised and easy to follow. This will help us understand your qualifications better!
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for supporting vulnerable families shine through in your application. We’re looking for candidates who genuinely care about making a difference, so share your motivations and any relevant personal experiences.
Proofread Before Submitting: Before you hit that submit button, give your application a thorough read. Typos and errors can distract from your message, so let’s make sure everything is polished and professional. We want to see your best work!
How to prepare for a job interview at South Gloucestershire Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on relevant legislation and child protection issues before the interview. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities of a Social Work Assistant, as well as the specific needs of children and families in your area. This will show that you're not just interested in the role, but that you understand its importance.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience working with children and families. Think of specific examples where you've made a positive impact or handled challenging situations. This will help demonstrate your capability and commitment to making a difference in vulnerable lives.
✨Communicate Effectively
Since you'll be liaising with various professionals, practice clear and concise communication. During the interview, articulate your thoughts well and listen actively. This will reflect your ability to work collaboratively with Social Workers and external contacts.
✨Be Ready for Scenarios
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your dynamic risk assessment skills. Think about how you would handle specific situations involving children and families. Showing that you can think on your feet and take appropriate action will impress the interviewers.