At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform adult social work services for working age adults with diverse needs.
- Company: St Helens Council, a fair employer committed to community impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, flexible working, and employee rewards.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to making a difference in the community.
- Why this job: Shape high-quality services that empower individuals to live fulfilling lives.
- Qualifications: Social work qualification, AMHP qualified or willing to qualify, and strong leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
We are seeking an exceptional and visionary Head of Social Work – Working Age to provide strategic and professional leadership across our adult social work services for working age adults. This is a pivotal role, providing professional leadership and strategic direction for social work services supporting adults of working age, including people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, autism, acquired brain injury, mental health and complex needs.
The role also has strategic responsibility for our Transition service, ensuring young people with care and support needs experience seamless, person-centred transitions from Children’s to adult social care. The role also has responsibility for the Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) Service, ensuring the Council fulfils its statutory duties under the Mental Health Act.
This is an exciting opportunity to shape high quality person-centred services that enable people to live independent, fulfilling lives while ensuring the highest standards of professional practice. As a key member of the leadership team, you will play a central role in shaping a more joined-up peoples department working collaboratively across Adult Social Care, Children’s Services, Public Health to deliver seamless, person-centred support.
You will champion integration, breaking down organisational barriers and fostering a culture of collaboration, shared accountability and innovation. By strengthening partnerships and promoting whole system working, you will help ensure that people experience coordinated services throughout their lives, from preparing for adulthood through to later life, improving outcomes for residents while making the best use of collective resources.
You will be an experienced manager with at least 3 years at Team Manager level, providing evidence of a strong track record of leadership, leading complex adult social work services. You will possess excellent strategic thinking, and a passion for improving outcomes for working age adults. You will have a recognised social work qualification, be AMHP qualified or willing to undertake the qualification within the first 12 months of appointment. You should be able to demonstrate significant senior leadership, extensive knowledge of adult social work, safeguarding and strength-based practice. You will have experience of leading organisational change and service transformation. Excellent communication skills and a strong understanding of financial and performance management experience are essential.
St Helens Council is officially recognised as one of the region’s leading fair employers, achieving accredited status under the Liverpool City Combined Authority Fair Employment Charter. The Charter recognises the ongoing commitment to fair pay, secure work, training & progression & staff well-being whilst celebrating employers who go above and beyond for their workforce providing an inclusive and supportive environment.
We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, who share our values, our commitment to inclusion, and who will help us on our journey to transform our organisation. The Council guarantees an interview to disabled applicants who demonstrate that they meet the essential criteria for the job, as detailed on the Person Specification, and will, for qualifying disabled candidates, make reasonable adjustments within selection. All Council employees are required to abide by the ethical standards embodied by the 7 Nolan Principles.
Head of Social Work - Working Age in St Helens employer: St Helens Council
St Helens Council is an excellent employer for aspiring Early Years Practitioners, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises children's learning and development. With opportunities for professional growth and a commitment to high-quality education, employees can thrive in a nurturing environment while making a meaningful impact in the community. The council's focus on collaboration with teaching staff ensures that every practitioner is equipped to succeed in their role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Social Work - Working Age in St Helens
✨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 St Helens 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 St Helens 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 St Helens 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 St Helens 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 Head of Social Work - Working Age in St Helens
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 St Helens Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to St Helens 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 St Helens 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.
