Social Worker - Kinship Assessor

Social Worker - Kinship Assessor

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our Kinship Assessment Team to support children and families in need.
  • Company: Staffordshire County Council is dedicated to community welfare and child protection.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, a supportive environment, and access to various employee perks.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your social work skills.
  • Qualifications: You need a professional social work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
  • Other info: Guaranteed interview for applicants meeting minimum criteria; commitment to safeguarding is essential.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Are you passionate about kinship care?

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to work within one of our Kinship Assessment Teams.

It is our commitment as a team to reduce the number of looked after children in our care by not only alleviating any barriers that may prevent a child from being able to remain in their family & friends’ network but also for a carer in progressing to a permanency route which best suits their family life, but most importantly is in a child’s best interest.

The teams are both stable and have the benefit of experienced staff who are both approachable and supportive. We are a county wide so you will be undertaking visits to connected carers in a range of areas as such home working is promoted.

Main Responsibilities

You will

  • undertake Viability Assessments, Full Connected Persons Assessments and Special Guardianship Reports
  • have the opportunity to supervise and support carers who have been temporarily approved as Foster Carers
  • prepare your applicants for Foster Panel and support them on the day with their attendance
  • provide duty cover on a rota basis
  • you will have the opportunity to strengthen your knowledge of the different legal orders and be encouraged to show creativity when developing Special Guardianship Order support plans making full use of the training and events our service offers

As part of this dynamic service, you will be involved in smarter working practices in order to continuously strive for best practice, offering positive experiences for applicants whilst providing high quality reports.

The Ideal Candidate

It goes without saying, you will need a professional social work qualification (with Social Work England registration

You’ll also be:

  • able to work independently and as part of a team
  • be highly organised and able to manage a busy workload in order to meet deadlines
  • able to demonstrate an understanding of Fostering and Special Guardianship Regulations
  • have good report writing and communication skills
  • have experience in a wide range of aspects of the social work role

“We’re happy to talk flexible working”

If you\’d like to discuss the role further, please contact Team Manager, Kathryn White kathryn.white@staffordshire.gov.uk or Garry Davis garry.davis@staffordshire.gov.uk or Paige Poole paige.poole@staffordshire.gov.uk

Interviews will take place week commencing 18th August

Our Recruitment Process: We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you’ll bring to the role.

About Staffordshire County Council

We are no ordinary county council:

Our Values:

The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.

Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:

We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.

We look forward and race ahead – that goes for your career too.

Our benefits:

We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.

In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits – Careers at Staffordshire

Our recruitment process:

As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities

As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers – we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

As you’ll know safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people/vulnerable adults is important to us and that’s why this position is subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. If applicable you should disclose details of unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form.

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Social Worker - Kinship Assessor employer: Staffordshire County Council

Staffordshire County Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for social workers. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to community welfare, staff are empowered to make a meaningful impact in kinship care while enjoying a healthy work-life balance. Our experienced teams provide a collaborative atmosphere where creativity and professional development are encouraged, making it an ideal place for passionate individuals to thrive.
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Contact Detail:

Staffordshire County Council Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Social Worker - Kinship Assessor

Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the specific regulations surrounding fostering and special guardianship. Understanding these legal frameworks will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.

Tip Number 2

Network with current social workers or professionals in kinship care. Engaging with them can provide insights into the role and the team dynamics, which you can mention during your interview to show your proactive approach.

Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your experience with viability assessments and connected persons assessments. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed similar tasks in the past, as this will highlight your relevant skills.

Tip Number 4

Research Staffordshire County Council's values and mission. Aligning your personal values with theirs during the interview can make a strong impression and show that you're a good cultural fit for the team.

We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker - Kinship Assessor

Professional Social Work Qualification
Social Work England Registration
Understanding of Fostering and Special Guardianship Regulations
Viability Assessments
Full Connected Persons Assessments
Special Guardianship Reports
Report Writing Skills
Communication Skills
Ability to Work Independently and as Part of a Team
Organisational Skills
Time Management
Experience in Social Work
Creativity in Developing Support Plans
Knowledge of Legal Orders
Ability to Manage a Busy Workload

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Social Worker - Kinship Assessor. Familiarise yourself with kinship care principles and the specific duties mentioned in the job description.

Tailor Your Supporting Statement: In your application, pay special attention to the supporting statement. Highlight your relevant experience, skills in report writing, and understanding of Fostering and Special Guardianship Regulations. Make it personal and specific to the role.

Showcase Your Qualifications: Clearly state your professional social work qualification and Social Work England registration. Mention any additional training or certifications that relate to kinship care or fostering.

Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, thoroughly proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.

How to prepare for a job interview at Staffordshire County Council

Understand Kinship Care

Make sure you have a solid understanding of kinship care and its importance. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with the goals of reducing the number of looked after children and supporting families.

Showcase Your Report Writing Skills

Since good report writing is crucial for this role, bring examples of your previous reports or assessments. Be ready to explain your writing process and how you ensure clarity and compliance with regulations.

Demonstrate Teamwork and Independence

Prepare to discuss situations where you've successfully worked both independently and as part of a team. Highlight your organisational skills and how you manage a busy workload while meeting deadlines.

Engage with the Interviewers

Don't hesitate to ask questions about the team dynamics and the support available for staff. This shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if the environment is a good fit for you.

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