At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct assessments for foster carers and support children in need.
- Company: Dynamic local authority committed to improving children's services.
- Benefits: Professional development, flexible work-life balance, and a supportive environment.
- Other info: Join a pioneering team with opportunities for career growth and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families in your community.
- Qualifications: Minimum 5 years post-qualifying experience in social work, especially in fostering.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 44000 £ per year.
This role is within our Fostering Team in the Recruitment and Assessment Pod who undertake Fostering assessments of mainstream foster carers alongside Kinship assessments both Connected Carers and Special Guardianship Assessments. The pod also undertakes assessments and support of Private Foster Carers. Viability Assessments are also undertaken within the pod.
We are looking for Advanced Social Worker Practitioner with a minimum of 5 years post qualifying experience who has worked within Fostering previously and will experience of undertaking a range of assessments. You will also be expected to take on social work students, provide mentoring and support the Management Team.
Advanced Social Workers are highly skilled in their field of social work, are routinely involved in supervision or oversight of others and / or highly specialised practice and / or learning and development. They ensure the integration of professional knowledge, the perspectives of people using services and research / evaluation evidence routinely in their practice and promote this with others.
This is a dynamic role and we are looking for a charismatic social worker with advanced experience to work alongside our social workers and managers. There are lots of opportunities to build meaningful relationships with carers, children and young people alongside other professionals who will share your passion for doing all you can to ensure our children and young people.
We are working hard to keep those children who need to live locally, in our local area. We do have some children living outside of Swindon, and we are committed to these children receiving just as good a service as those who remain in Swindon.
About You
Your aspirations should be limitless and you will be as determined and passionate about Children's Services as we are. As a local authority, we continuously drive forward improvements in our services. We want our Social Workers to be part of our transformation, contribute to improving the safeguarding of our children, and we will make sure you have the full support network and training to do it.
Our teams are ambitious and proactive and we are looking for people who will share that ambition and be a part of our journey. Candidates must be fluent in the English language (as a requirement of Part 7 of the Immigration Act - for the effective performance of a customer-facing role).
Our commitment to your development
We are dedicated to ensuring that you can progress your continued professional development and access training and learning opportunities linked to the BASW competencies for career progression. We have an established Social Work & Leadership Academy. The Academy aims to celebrate the best in professional practice in Social Work and Social Care Leadership. The Academy represents an opportunity for us to demonstrate how we support, develop and value the professional disciplines in Social Work and Social Care through a targeted framework of career development and learning opportunities.
As an employee, you will receive a diverse and exciting environment in which to work, encouraging creativity and innovation whilst recognising the need to support ongoing personal development and a flexible work life balance.
Here in Swindon we have a clear vision and plans to reduce the need for Children to come into our care with our new adolescent offer and edge of care work and we are continually working as a partnership to ensure our children are safe. We're making a real difference to the lives of the children and families we work with in Swindon.
About Us
We have now implemented the Family Safeguarding Model, a new multi-disciplinary approach that supports a whole-system change to child protection for children up to adolescence, focusing on supporting the needs of children and adults so that children can safely remain within their families. This is a great opportunity to join us now and be part of this pioneering work as we continue to learn from multi agency family work and support more families to look after their children in their families and wider communities.
Social Workers in Swindon employer: The Academy
Join a highly-respected Secondary school in the Hillingdon Borough, where you will be part of a vibrant musical community dedicated to fostering a love for music among students. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and professional development, this school offers a supportive environment for teachers to thrive, alongside enthusiastic pupils and engaged parents. Experience the unique advantage of working in an oversubscribed all-through school that prioritises student confidence and achievement, making it an excellent place for meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Workers in Swindon
✨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 The Academy.
✨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 The Academy!
✨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 The Academy, 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 The Academy 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 Social Workers in Swindon
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 The Academy:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The Academy! 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 The Academy
✨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.
