At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead an innovative service supporting women who've lost custody of their children.
- Company: Join Barking & Dagenham's pioneering Willow Programme.
- Benefits: Make a real impact while shaping the future of social work.
- Other info: Unique leadership role with the freedom to influence and innovate.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative initiative that changes lives and supports vulnerable families.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in children's social care and trauma-informed practice.
The predicted salary is between 32243 - 39408 £ per year.
Consultant Social Worker - Willow Service
The Willow Programme – Rooted. Resilient. Renewing.
Lead an innovative new service. Shape practice. Change futures.
Barking & Dagenham is creating the Willow Programme, a new service designed to support women who have experienced the removal of a child from their care.
Embedded within Children's Services, Willow will deliver intensive, trauma-informed and relationship-based support that helps women achieve sustained change while reducing repeat care proceedings and improving outcomes for children.
We are seeking an exceptional Consultant Social Worker to lead this new service and help shape its vision, culture and future success from day one.
About the Role
This is a unique leadership opportunity for an experienced social worker who is passionate about innovation, prevention and strengths-based practice.
You will lead a small specialist team of two Willow Practitioners while holding a small caseload yourself, providing strategic and operational leadership to ensure outstanding outcomes for women and families
You will
- Lead and develop a high-performing trauma-informed practice model.
- Build strong partnerships across Children's Services, health, adult services and community agencies.
- Use data, performance information and quality assurance processes to demonstrate impact.
- Support recruitment, development and supervision of staff.
- Champion learning, participation and continuous improvement.
- Help establish Willow as a flagship preventative service within Barking & Dagenham.
You will be a qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England, with significant experience in children's social care, safeguarding and court-related work.
You will bring
- Experience of supervising and developing practitioners.
- Strong understanding of trauma-informed and relationship-based practice.
- Knowledge of the challenges facing women whose children have been removed from their care.
- Excellent communication skills
- Confidence in using data and performance information to improve practice.
- The ability to inspire others, drive innovation and create positive change.
Why Join Willow?
This is a rare opportunity to help design and lead a completely new service with the freedom to influence how it develops and grows.
Willow sits at the heart of Barking & Dagenham's wider strategy to reduce repeat care proceedings, improve permanence outcomes and strengthen support for vulnerable families.
You will join a borough that is committed to innovation, prevention and improving outcomes for children and families.
Most importantly, you will have the opportunity to lead work that genuinely changes lives, helping women move beyond trauma and creating better futures for the next generation
Help us build something exceptional from the ground up.
Lead a service that transforms lives.
Join Willow.
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Consultant Social Worker -The Willow Programme in London employer: Tripod Partners
Tripod Partners is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the professional growth of its employees. With a focus on high-quality support in the SEND sector, team members benefit from dedicated consultants, competitive pay rates, and unique perks such as a free DBS service and referral bonuses, making it a rewarding place to advance your career in Devon.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Consultant Social Worker -The Willow Programme in London
✨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 Tripod Partners.
✨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 Tripod Partners!
✨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 Tripod Partners, 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 Tripod Partners 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 Consultant Social Worker -The Willow Programme in London
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 Tripod Partners:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Tripod Partners! 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 Tripod Partners
✨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.
