At a Glance
- Tasks: Support social workers in urgent situations and provide essential care to individuals and families.
- Company: Join South Lanarkshire Council's dedicated Emergency Social Work Services team.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible shifts with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Two years' experience in social care and strong teamwork skills required.
The predicted salary is between 23805 - 24314 £ per year.
ACTUAL CLOSING DATE: Applications must be received by 17 June 2026 at 11:55pm. Please ensure that you read the full advert text and do not submit a CV, as these will be disregarded as they do not form part of SLC application process. If you require to submit additional information to support your application, please upload this under supporting documents. INTERNAL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY VIA OPPORTUNITY MARKETPLACE.
Location: Pollock Avenue, Hamilton
Hours: 17.5hrs per week, permanent
Work Pattern: as per advert
Salary / Hourly Rate: £23,805 - £24,314
About the Role
An exciting opportunity has arisen for part time Social Work Assistants to join Emergency Social Work Services (ESWS). South Lanarkshire Council’s ESWS has operated since 31 March 2009 and delivers essential out of hours support 365 days a year. The service provides responsive, timely and consistent interventions to individuals and families across South Lanarkshire who require urgent social work assistance.
Social Work Assistants will work within a three week shift rota, including weekends and public holidays. You will contribute to the delivery of high quality social work support during the out of hours period, assisting the Team Leader and Operations Manager to respond to varying levels of referrals and crisis situations. This role plays an important part in maintaining strong communication and continuity between ESWS and daytime locality Social Work teams.
What will you be doing?
As a Social Work Assistant, you will be part of a well established and experienced Social Work team delivering essential out of hours support. Your responsibilities will include:
- Assisting qualified Social Workers with gathering information, completing initial assessments, and supporting decision making during urgent referrals.
- Providing practical support and intervention to individuals, families, and vulnerable groups to promote their immediate safety and wellbeing.
- Contributing to partnership working with key agencies including Police Scotland, Health services, and other relevant partners.
- Supporting clear communication and accurate information sharing between ESWS and daytime Social Work teams.
- Maintaining high quality case notes and ensuring all actions are recorded in line with service procedures.
- Prioritising workload effectively in a fast paced environment and supporting colleagues during periods of high service demand.
This role requires a compassionate, calm and organised approach, with the ability to respond appropriately to a wide range of situations.
The shift patterns and timings are as follows:
Team 3 – 17.5 hours
Week 1
- Thursday - 16:30-01:45
- Friday - 16:30-01:45
Week 2
- Saturday - 16:45-01:45
- Sunday - 16:45-01:45
Week 3
- Saturday - 07:30-17:00
- Sunday - 07:30-17:00
About You
The successful candidate should:
- Have a minimum of two years’ experience working within a social care or social work setting.
- Demonstrate a commitment to supporting individuals, families and communities with dignity and respect.
- Have experience working collaboratively as part of a team, ideally within a care, support or public protection environment.
- Be able to communicate clearly, maintain accurate records, and handle sensitive information appropriately.
- Show flexibility, resilience and a willingness to work within a shift pattern that includes evenings, weekends and public holidays.
- Hold a full UK driving licence.
Equal Opportunities and Inclusion statement
The Council is committed to fostering equality, diversity and inclusion in its workforce. Therefore, we welcome applications from all sectors of the community, including under-represented groups within our workforce. We are keen to receive applications from candidates who have a disability, who are from a care experienced background, who are from a black, Asian or minority ethnic background, from a military service background and from those who are new Scots.
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria as outlined in the job profile for this position.
As proud holders of the UK Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award, the Council is also committed to supporting members of the armed forces community, including service leavers, veterans, reservists and their families.
As an employee of South Lanarkshire Council, you would also receive a wide range of benefits including:
- Enrolment in award winning local government pension scheme
- To increase the value of their pension pot, Local Government Employees can opt to join the Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme.
- Up to 33 days annual leave
- Public holiday entitlement (up to 10 days)
- Occupational sick pay
- Family friendly policies - flexible working and leave, maternity/paternity leave enhanced leave.
- Employee Discounts – including discounts at the cinema.
- Range of benefits to support you (Cycle to Work Scheme, Physiotherapy, Employee Assistance Program which offers practical and emotional support)
SWRK 4779 - G2 Social Work Assistant (605913) employer: South Lanarkshire Council
South Lanarkshire Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. As a Social Work Assistant, you will benefit from flexible working arrangements, generous annual leave, and access to an award-winning pension scheme, all while making a meaningful impact in the community. The council's commitment to diversity and inclusion ensures a welcoming environment for all employees, fostering collaboration and partnership with key agencies to deliver vital social services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SWRK 4779 - G2 Social Work Assistant (605913)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, do a bit of research on South Lanarkshire Council and their values. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Grab a mate and do some mock interviews. Focus on common questions for social work roles, like how you handle crisis situations or work with vulnerable groups. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your teamwork skills! In your interview, share specific examples of how you've collaborated with others in a social care setting. Highlighting your ability to work well with colleagues and external partners is key for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace SWRK 4779 - G2 Social Work Assistant (605913)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully:Before you start your application, make sure to read through the entire job description. It’s packed with important details about what we’re looking for in a candidate, and it’ll help you tailor your application to match our needs.
Skip the CV, Focus on the Application Form:Remember, we don’t want a CV! Instead, fill out the application form thoroughly. This is your chance to showcase your experience and skills directly related to the role, so make every word count!
Highlight Relevant Experience:When filling out the application, be sure to highlight any relevant experience you have in social care or social work settings. We want to see how your background aligns with the responsibilities of the Social Work Assistant role.
Submit Supporting Documents Wisely:If you have additional information to support your application, upload it under supporting documents. Just make sure it’s relevant and adds value to your application – we love seeing candidates who go the extra mile!
How to prepare for a job interview at South Lanarkshire Council
✨Know Your Role
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Social Work Assistant. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks mentioned in the job description, such as supporting qualified Social Workers and maintaining accurate case notes. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm for the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous experience in social care or social work settings. Prepare specific examples that highlight your ability to work collaboratively, handle sensitive information, and respond effectively in crisis situations. This will show the interviewers that you have the skills they are looking for.
✨Communicate Clearly
Effective communication is crucial in this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. During the interview, ensure you listen carefully to questions and respond thoughtfully. This will demonstrate your ability to maintain clear communication, which is essential for working with individuals and families.
✨Emphasise Flexibility and Resilience
Given the shift patterns and the nature of the work, it's important to convey your flexibility and resilience. Share examples of how you've adapted to changing circumstances in previous roles, and express your willingness to work evenings, weekends, and public holidays. This will reassure the interviewers that you're committed to meeting the demands of the position.
