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- Tasks: Join our Family Placement Team to assess and support foster carers and kinship placements.
- Company: Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is dedicated to improving the lives of children and families.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and access to mental health support and training.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while working in a supportive and innovative environment.
- Qualifications: Must have a relevant social work qualification and be registered with Social Work England.
- Other info: This is a part-time, fixed-term role covering maternity leave for 9 months.
The predicted salary is between 18000 - 22000 £ per year.
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council prides itself on being a great place to work where staff are trusted, valued and supported to make a positive contribution at work.
We are currently recruiting for a qualified Social Worker to join our Family Placement Team on a fixed term basis to cover maternity leave.
Our Children’s Services is focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for our children and young people. We are creating an environment where social work practice can thrive, where social workers are encouraged to be innovative and creative to ensure the services we offer to children and families help improve their lives.
We currently have a unique opportunity for a social worker with experience of working in the field of fostering, looked after children and kinship care to join a busy and highly motivated Family Placement Service. The Service has expanded and we have developed three specialist teams: Recruitment and Assessment (foster carers and supported lodgings), Post Approval Mainstream Foster Carers and Kinship.
The post in the Recruitment and Assessment Team will focus on the assessment of mainstream and kinship foster carers and supported lodgings hosts as well as recruitment activity and training. We are a dedicated team, passionate about improving the lives of our children and young people and ensuring foster carers get the support and recognition they deserve.
The successful candidate will have good knowledge of current fostering and special guardianship legislation and must be able to demonstrate excellent assessment, relationship building, organisational and report writing skills. Applicants should ideally have experience in completing fostering/special guardianship assessments and be able to meet tight timescales.
This is a fixed term contract covering maternity leave – the expected duration of the contract is 9 months but will be reviewed periodically with the post holder.
This post is part time, 22 hours per week and the actual salary for the role is£22,020 – £27,183.
It is anticipated that an appointment will be made at Grade K of the career grade to maintain a skills balance within the team.
To be considered for interview, you will:
- Have a relevant social work qualification
- Be registered with Social Work England
- Have passed your ASYE year (please note we run a separate programme for newly qualified Social Workers)
We know and understand that being a social worker is hard work and challenging at times, that’s why we reward you with a very attractive employment offer and excellent benefits. Alongside regular supervision, access to training and shared learning, mental health and well-being support, we offer a wider range of benefits including:
- A competitive salary from£22,020 – £27,183.
- Generous annual leave entitelent. Ability to purchase additional leave is also available
- Generous Pension Scheme through the LGPS with ability to pay extra and plan for retirement
- Your SWE Registration paid for
- Access to a number of employee benefits including salary sacrifice Car Lease Scheme, discounts at high street and online retailers, employee assistance programme, physiotherapy and more.
For more information about working for Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, please visit the Careers section on our website:
https://www.stockton.gov.uk/careers
If you would like an informal discussion about the post, please contact Judith Henderson, Registered Fostering Manager on 01642 526214.
Guidance for applicants
You must ensure that anything submitted in your application is factually accurate. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. Whilst we accept candidates may use AI tools within job applications; submissions must be truthful and relevant to your own experience.
Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered with North East Jobs, including your invite to interview if you are short-listed. Please check your email after the closing date for notification from ‘DONOTREPLY@NORTHEASTJOBS.ORG.UK’. All communication will also appear in the ‘My Messages’ section of your North East Jobs account. #J-18808-Ljbffr
Social Worker - Family Placement employer: Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker - Family Placement
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the current fostering and special guardianship legislation. This knowledge will not only help you in the interview but also demonstrate your commitment to the role and understanding of the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the social work community, especially those who have experience in fostering and kinship care. Engaging with others can provide insights into the role and may even lead to valuable recommendations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for potential scenario-based questions during the interview. Think about past experiences where you've successfully built relationships or completed assessments under tight deadlines, as these are key skills for the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's values and recent initiatives in children's services. Showing that you align with their mission and understand their goals can set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker - Family Placement
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Social Worker position in the Family Placement Team. Familiarise yourself with fostering, looked after children, and kinship care to tailor your application effectively.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your experience in fostering and special guardianship assessments. Provide specific examples of your work that demonstrate your assessment skills, relationship building, and ability to meet tight deadlines.
Showcase Your Skills: Clearly outline your organisational and report writing skills in your application. Use bullet points to make these skills stand out, and consider including any relevant training or certifications that support your qualifications.
Be Honest and Accurate: Ensure that all information in your application is factually accurate and reflects your own experiences. Avoid plagiarism and be truthful about your qualifications and skills, as this will be crucial for your credibility.
How to prepare for a job interview at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you're well-versed in current fostering and special guardianship legislation. This knowledge will not only help you answer questions confidently but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in fostering, looked after children, and kinship care. Be ready with specific examples of assessments you've completed and how you've supported families in the past.
✨Demonstrate Relationship Building Skills
Highlight your ability to build strong relationships with foster carers and families. Think of examples where you've successfully navigated challenging situations or built trust with clients.
✨Organisational Skills Matter
Since the role involves meeting tight timescales, be prepared to discuss how you manage your workload and prioritise tasks. Share any tools or methods you use to stay organised and efficient.
