At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and advocate for children in care, ensuring their voices are heard and needs met.
- Company: Join Telford and Wrekin Council, an Outstanding Local Authority dedicated to children's welfare.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full reimbursement of registration fees, and essential car user allowance.
- Other info: Access to tailored training and development opportunities in a stable, experienced workforce.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a supportive and innovative environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with a passion for supporting children and families.
The predicted salary is between 36600 - 37800 £ per year.
Children's Qualified Social Worker - Children in Care, 16+ Team £42,652 - £45,271* per annum. Children's Experienced Qualified Social Worker - Children in Care, 16+ Team £47,362 - £50,339* per annum. Full reimbursement of Social Work England registration fee. Essential Car User Allowance.
Do you aspire to work for an Outstanding Local Authority? Children and young people are at the heart of all we do. The qualities that are important to them are:
- Understanding that there are layers to a person, a practitioner’s ability to see the person as a 'whole'
- The ability to practice care and kindness
- Being able to really listen to children and young people - what are their views, hopes, aspirations and worries?
- The ability to communicate well
Our family are usually the people closest to us, those we care most about. Family life is not just about legal ties - it goes far deeper than that. It concerns our most important biological, social and emotional relationships. We hold the value that children and young people are best cared for by their birth families and extended networks, and this underpins our family first ethos. Where this cannot be achieved, we seek to ensure that children and young people’s relationships are maintained in line with their best interests. Birth parents and extended networks are included within the decision-making processes and we provide alternative care which is nurturing and which fosters a sense of belonging.
There has never been a more exciting time to join our service: alongside making a difference to the lives of individuals and families, we have adopted exciting new strengths-based approaches and are passionate about delivering continuous service improvement. As a social worker for children in care you'll be looking after and supporting those children who have for one reason, or another been taken into care. You’ll be completing children’s plans, attending reviews, you could be attending court, making visits to children, and completing PEPs. But above all, you will bring the desire to work with children and families to give them the right support, at the right time with the aim of keeping families together where it is safe to do so.
Our brilliant practitioners are at the heart of our ambitious approach to improve outcomes for children and families in Telford and Wrekin: from tailored in-house training to the West Midlands Teaching Partnership, we ensure that our workforce have access to the best development opportunities. Here at Telford and Wrekin Council, we have been judged to be outstanding overall in terms of effectiveness (the only Authority in the West Midlands with this judgement) for the second time!
Here’s just some of the great things Ofsted had to say when they visited us in April 2024:
- Children and families in Telford and Wrekin continue to experience exceptional social work practice when they are in care and as care leavers.
- Participation is a real strength and children’s and families’ involvement is threaded throughout service developments.
- Social workers know their children well and have developed effective relationships with parents.
- The virtual school is a significant strength in Telford and Wrekin.
- Care leavers benefit from an extremely comprehensive and generous local offer.
- Corporate parenting is a strength in Telford and Wrekin.
- The stability of the experienced workforce creates the perfect environment to benefit children and care leavers.
- As a result, social workers maintain relationships with children who know them over many years, which contributes to children’s feeling of belonging.
- Staff enjoy working in an environment where senior leaders are visible, and they feel valued.
If you think you can meet the challenge and would like to find out more about this role, please see our recruitment web pages or contact us by emailing csrecruitment@telford.gov.uk or by calling 0773 142 637. Alternatively, you can speak to Team Manager emma.venables@telford.gov.uk.
Please click on the links below to view the job description and person specification.
Children's Qualified Social Worker - Children in Care and Leaving Care employer: Telford and Wrekin Council
Telford and Wrekin Council is an outstanding local authority that prioritises the well-being of children and families, offering a supportive work environment where social workers can thrive. With a strong emphasis on professional development through tailored in-house training and partnerships, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a culture of visibility and appreciation from senior leaders. Join us in making a difference in the lives of children in care and care leavers in Telford, where your contributions will be valued and recognised.
Contact Details:
Telford and Wrekin Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children's Qualified Social Worker - Children in Care and Leaving Care
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current social workers or professionals in the field. They can provide insights about the role and even give you a heads-up on job openings. Plus, personal connections can make your application stand out!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to social work. Think about scenarios where you've demonstrated care, kindness, and effective communication. We want to see how you peel back the layers and truly understand the needs of children and families.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for working with children and families during interviews. Share stories that highlight your commitment to keeping families together and your understanding of their emotional relationships. This is what really resonates with employers!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the latest opportunities and resources to help you land that dream job in social work.
We think you need these skills to ace Children's Qualified Social Worker - Children in Care and Leaving Care
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for working with children and families shine through. We want to see your genuine desire to make a difference in their lives, so share personal experiences or motivations that drive you.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Children's Qualified Social Worker. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that align with our family-first ethos and strengths-based approaches. We love seeing how you connect your background to what we do!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read, so make sure your key points stand out!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our amazing team there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Telford and Wrekin Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the role of a Children's Qualified Social Worker. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, such as completing children's plans and attending reviews. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and passion for the position.
✨Showcase Your Empathy
During the interview, highlight your ability to listen and connect with children and families. Share specific examples from your past experiences where you’ve successfully built relationships or supported individuals in care. This will show that you truly understand the importance of seeing the person as a whole.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
Talk about your experience working collaboratively with other professionals. Mention how you value the input of birth parents and extended networks in decision-making processes. This aligns with the family-first ethos and shows that you can work effectively within a team to support children and families.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Prepare for potential scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Think about how you would handle various situations involving children in care, ensuring you reflect the values of kindness and care that are central to the role.
