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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families with intensive, solution-focused interventions to prevent children entering care.
- Company: Suffolk County Council, a leader in inclusive employment for all ages.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Relevant social work qualification and registration required.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to empowering diverse communities.
The predicted salary is between 35200 - 40300 £ per year.
Overview
Suffolk County Council – Post Adoption and SGO Support Team, Senior Social Worker. Location: Endeavour House, Ipswich, IP1 2BX – Hybrid. Salary: £40,777 – £47,054 per annum (pro rata for part time or under 12 months). Hours: 37 per week, flexible working options available. Contract: Fixed term or Secondment – 12 months.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Suffolk County Council (SCC) Post Adoption and SGO Support Team as a Senior Social Worker, working from Endeavour House.
Your role and responsibilities
- lead in the service delivery of Keeping in Touch by establishing, maintaining and supporting keeping in touch arrangements between birth families and the adoptive family, including promoting Suffolk\’s modern adoption agenda
- maintain existing Keeping in Touch processes, and support, develop and streamline the service to meet new challenges and demands of more direct contacts happening in adoption
- demonstrate innovative practice to positively affect outcomes for all vulnerable children
- act as a creative experienced social worker skilled in placement planning and building relationships; focus on high quality service provision to promote sustainable changes for children and their families
- show empathy and understanding regarding the experiences of birth families who have experienced the loss of a child through adoption and model this to other practitioners
- be flexible and have a passion to further build and develop the service\’s performance and development ethos
You will need
- a relevant social work qualification and Social Work England registration is essential
- experience of adoption, preferably in maintaining relationships post-adoption order
How to apply
Step 1 – Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).
Step 2 – Click Apply Now to start your online application.
Step 3 – Upload a supporting statement indicating how you meet each of the criteria in the Person Profile of the JPP.
- You should use the Supporting Statement template.
- Please use Arial font size 11 and keep your statement to a maximum of two sides of A4.
Additional information
We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.
If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for later stages.
Closing date: 11.30pm, 12 November 2025
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid
Empowering Everyone
We are committed to representation and equality; applications are welcomed from all individuals, especially those from groups underrepresented in the organisation, as indicated in our Workforce Equality Report.
Benefits
- up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
- membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
- performance-related annual pay progression, plus annual cost-of-living pay increase
- training and opportunities for professional development
- a variety of career development opportunities across the organisation
- diverse and active staff networks
- flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from day one
Plus lots more!
For more information about benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).
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Senior Social Worker employer: Suffolk County Council
Contact Detail:
Suffolk County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, do a bit of research on the Family Solutions Team. Understanding their values and how they operate will help you connect during the conversation.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare real-life examples! Think of specific situations where you've made a difference in family dynamics or child safety. These stories will showcase your skills and experience effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your answers! Mock interviews with friends or colleagues can help you articulate your thoughts clearly. Focus on how your approach aligns with the intensive, solution-focused interventions mentioned in the job description.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team and contributing to the amazing work we do.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Social Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job and Person Profile: Before diving into your application, take a moment to thoroughly read the Job and Person Profile. This will help you understand what we're looking for and tailor your application to highlight your relevant skills and experiences.
Craft Your Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Make sure to answer the specific questions provided, using real-life examples that showcase your experience with families and safeguarding. Keep it authentic – we want to hear your voice!
Be Genuine and Personal: We value authenticity in applications, so don’t shy away from sharing your personal experiences and insights. Avoid generic responses; instead, let us see the real you and how your unique background can contribute to our team.
Apply Through Our Website: Once you're ready, hit that 'Apply Now' button on our website! It’s the easiest way to submit your application and ensures it gets to the right place. Plus, we’re here to support you throughout the process, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions.
How to prepare for a job interview at Suffolk County Council
✨Know Your Models
Familiarise yourself with the three intervention models mentioned in the job description: Edge of Care, Reunification, and Restore and Prevent. Be ready to discuss how you've applied similar approaches in your past work, showcasing your understanding of trauma-informed care.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your previous roles that demonstrate your ability to work intensively with families. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, especially when discussing safeguarding concerns or complex cases.
✨Highlight Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working closely with case responsible social workers, emphasise your teamwork and partnership skills. Share instances where you successfully collaborated with other professionals to achieve positive outcomes for families.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the Family Solutions Team and their approach to social work. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the team’s values align with yours. Consider asking about training opportunities or how they support professional development.
