At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver high-quality social work and support families in creating sustainable change.
- Company: Join Wokingham Borough Council's innovative Family Help Pods service.
- Benefits: Earn £38.00 per hour with hybrid working and training opportunities.
- Other info: Supportive team culture with strong management oversight.
- Why this job: Make a genuine difference in the lives of children and families.
- Qualifications: Social Work degree and experience in Children's Services required.
The predicted salary is between 38 - 38 £ per hour.
Wokingham, Berkshire £38.00 per hour Hybrid Working Available Full-Time
Join Wokingham's Family Help Pods. We are currently recruiting an experienced Social Worker to join Wokingham Borough Council's innovative Family Help Pods service. This is an excellent opportunity for a passionate practitioner who is committed to delivering high-quality, relationship-based social work and achieving positive outcomes for children, young people and their families.
Working within a supportive and collaborative team, you will use a relational and systemic approach to help families create sustainable change while ensuring children remain safe and supported.
The Role
- Deliver high-quality safeguarding and child-centred social work practice
- Work directly with children, young people and families to assess need, risk and strengths
- Develop purposeful plans alongside families and partner agencies
- Manage a varied caseload including children in need, child protection and looked after children
- Complete assessments, reports and court documentation to a high standard
- Attend multi-agency meetings and contribute to collaborative decision-making
- Champion corporate parenting principles and promote positive outcomes for children in care and care leavers
- Maintain accurate, analytical and timely case recordings
About You
To be considered for this role, you will have:
- Social Work England registration
- Degree in Social Work (BA, MA or equivalent)
- Experience working within Children's Services
- Strong safeguarding and risk assessment skills
- Experience of direct work with children and families
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- The ability to build strong relationships with families and professionals
- Sound knowledge of child care legislation and statutory responsibilities
Candidates with a stable employment history and a commitment to relationship-based practice are particularly encouraged to apply.
Working Arrangements
- Hybrid working model
- Expected office attendance 3 days per week
- Full-time office attendance required during one duty week in every 5-week cycle
- Based at Shute End, Wokingham
- Reflective supervision and strong management support provided
Why Wokingham?
Wokingham is a well-regarded Local Authority known for its manageable team sizes, supportive culture and strong leadership.
Benefits include:
- Competitive rate of £38.00 per hour
- Hybrid and flexible working
- Supportive and friendly team environment
- Access to training and development opportunities
- Strong management oversight and reflective supervision
- Opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of children and families
If you are an experienced Children's Social Worker looking for your next locum opportunity within a progressive and supportive authority, we'd love to hear from you.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker - Family Help Pods in Wokingham
✨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 Social Worker - Family Help Pods in Wokingham
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.
