At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families through assessments and interventions in a dynamic social work environment.
- Company: Join Southwark Council, dedicated to improving lives in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary of £29.72 per hour and flexible working arrangements.
- Other info: Immediate start available; office-based work required at least twice a week.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while working in a supportive team culture.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified Social Worker with 5+ years of experience and registered with Social Work England.
Location: Sumner House, Southwark Council
Hours Per Week: 36.00
Start Date: Immediate Start
Start Time: 09:00
End Time: 17:00
Salary: £29.72 per hour
Requirements:
- Must be a qualified Social Worker for 5+ years and registered with Social Work England.
- Recent experience in a busy, fast-paced duty and assessment service is desirable.
- Office-based at least 2x per week; during duty weeks, 5 consecutive days from Thursday to Wednesday.
Knowledge and Education:
- Knowledge of childcare legislation, statutory guidance, and London Child Protection Procedures.
- Understanding of child development, parenting capacity, environmental factors, and risk and protective factors.
- Knowledge of current issues in children’s social work, especially child protection and intervention planning.
- Understanding roles of children’s agencies.
- Knowledge of assessment and care planning best practices, including systemic practices like Signs of Safety, restorative practices, and trauma-informed approaches.
Experience:
- Direct social work with children and families, with recognized qualification and registration.
- Teamwork and workload management experience.
- Report writing and presentation skills for formal settings.
- Experience working anti-discriminatorily, addressing racism, inequality, and injustice.
Skills & Competencies:
- Ability to analyze complex information and produce clear reports.
- Commitment to transparency, accountability, and strengths-based practice.
- Relationship building with children and families.
- Workload management and accountability.
- Computer literacy for case management.
- Aware of issues affecting diverse communities.
Special Conditions:
- Recognized social work qualification and current registration with Social Work England.
- Evidence of ongoing professional development, including ASYE or recent statutory social work experience.
- Satisfactory enhanced DBS check.
- Compliance with Equal Opportunities policy.
- Occasional evening and weekend work.
CSW Senior/Specialist (London MOC) employer: Southwark Council
At Southwark Council, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values the contributions of our social workers. Our supportive work culture fosters professional growth through continuous training and development opportunities, ensuring you can thrive in your role while making a meaningful impact in the community. Located in vibrant Southwark, you'll enjoy a dynamic environment with a commitment to diversity and inclusion, making it an ideal place for passionate individuals dedicated to child welfare.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land CSW Senior/Specialist (London MOC)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific childcare legislation and statutory guidance relevant to the role. This will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying updated on current practices in children's social work.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of social work, especially those who have experience in duty and assessment services. Engaging with others can provide insights into the role and may even lead to referrals or recommendations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with systemic practices like Signs of Safety and trauma-informed approaches. Being able to articulate how you've applied these methods in your previous roles will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your ability to manage workloads effectively by sharing examples of how you've balanced multiple cases or projects in fast-paced environments. This will highlight your organisational skills and readiness for the demands of the position.
We think you need these skills to ace CSW Senior/Specialist (London MOC)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your qualifications as a Social Worker, especially your 5+ years of experience and registration with Social Work England. Emphasise relevant skills such as report writing, teamwork, and your understanding of child protection legislation.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter:In your cover letter, explain why you are passionate about children's social work and how your experience aligns with the requirements of the role. Mention specific examples of your work in busy duty and assessment services to demonstrate your capability.
Showcase Relevant Experience:When detailing your experience, focus on your direct work with children and families. Highlight any specific cases or projects where you applied systemic practices like Signs of Safety or trauma-informed approaches.
Proofread Your Application:Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which is crucial in social work.
How to prepare for a job interview at Southwark Council
✨Showcase Your Experience
Make sure to highlight your 5+ years of experience as a qualified Social Worker. Be prepared to discuss specific cases or situations where you applied your knowledge of childcare legislation and child protection procedures.
✨Demonstrate Your Knowledge
Familiarise yourself with current issues in children’s social work, especially around child protection and intervention planning. Be ready to discuss how you would apply systemic practices like Signs of Safety in your work.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Communication Skills
Since the role involves working closely with children and families, as well as other agencies, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in a team setting and managed workloads effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to analyse complex information and produce clear reports. Think of scenarios where you had to make tough decisions and how you approached them, focusing on transparency and accountability.
