At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people facing exploitation and work closely with families to ensure their safety.
- Company: Join Walsall Council's award-winning Children’s Services team.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, professional development, and discounts on various services.
- Other info: Be part of an innovative team in an OFSTED-rated ‘Outstanding’ local authority.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable young people in your community.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified social worker with experience in children's services.
The predicted salary is between 42839 - 46142 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for the appointment of a social worker specialising in working with children and young people who are exploited to join our Aspiring Futures Team on a 12-month fixed term basis.
Walsall Children’s Social Care have created a service for exploited young people, based on feedback from exploited young people, families and professionals. The Aspiring Futures team consists of a Team Manager, Assistant Team Manager, Social Workers, Aspiring Futures Practitioners and Exploitation Coordinators. Young people will have one Aspiring Futures Practitioner or Street Team’s practitioner who will work in a relational, trauma-informed way to reduce exploitation risks, alongside a social worker within Aspiring Futures or locality family help teams.
The model is based on rationale practice and ensuring consistency of practitioners, enabling rapport to be built which contributes to keeping young people safe and supports mapping of all exploitation risks across Walsall. We actively attend and advocate for our young people in all statutory meetings and contribute to wider planning, having an in-depth understanding of our young people, their behaviours and individual needs.
We work closely with partner agencies, including Police, Street Teams, the Youth Justice Service, Education, Health, the Violence Reduction Partnership, Mentoring Services, Detached Youth Work Services, and Voluntary Organisations. We undertake MACE (Multi-Agency Child Exploitation) Meetings monthly for all high-risk young people. Daily Exploitation Triage oversees all age exploitation and missing episodes, attended by partner agencies.
As a social worker within the Aspiring Futures team, you would work with a reduced number of young people who are being exploited, enabling you to work more intensively with them and their families. You will understand their needs and lived experiences in relation to exploitation and contextual safeguarding, while considering wider vulnerabilities and protective factors.
Social workers within Aspiring Futures work with young people from the start of their journey with social care, focusing on those identified at medium or high risk of exploitation through our daily exploitation triage. The assessments completed by social workers and Aspiring Futures practitioners support in identifying and analysing the extra-familial and contextual risks the young person is experiencing.
Participation and partnership working with young people and their families is key, ensuring time is taken to build positive relationships and fully involve them in safety planning and decision making. Young people and their families are supported to actively participate in their MACE meetings and Team Around the Family meetings alongside key partners.
As a social worker within Aspiring Futures, you will engage in group supervision with other involved practitioners, in addition to individual monthly supervision. You will also be offered clinical supervision through a trained clinical psychologist.
About you
You will be Social Work Qualified with a minimum of 12 months post qualifying experience working within children’s services. You will be registered with Social Work England and possess enthusiasm, passion, and knowledge about reducing exploitation for young people. You will have excellent communication skills, assessment, report writing, and analytical skills, demonstrating professional curiosity.
If you are passionate about supporting young people experiencing exploitation and want to work as part of an innovative team in an OFSTED-rated ‘Outstanding’ local authority, please get in touch for an informal discussion.
Why work for us:
Our staff are our biggest resources, and we want to invest in them! We offer a range of benefits including discounts, financial benefits, flexible leave, and professional development. Our model of work is hybrid, allowing for office-based and home working.
Walsall Council takes seriously the responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children, young people, and vulnerable adults entrusted to our care. Completion of an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is a requirement for working with children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
Social Worker Aspiring Futures - Ref: CH04526 in Walsall employer: Walsall Council
As a School Organisation Officer, you will join a supportive and dynamic team dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for children. Our organisation values professional development, offering numerous growth opportunities and a collaborative work culture that prioritises employee well-being. Located in a vibrant community, we provide a meaningful role where your contributions directly impact the lives of families and children in the area.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker Aspiring Futures - Ref: CH04526 in Walsall
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to Walsall Council, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker Aspiring Futures - Ref: CH04526 in Walsall
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of Walsall Council. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at Walsall Council. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at Walsall Council
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with Walsall Council.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Social Worker Aspiring Futures - Ref: CH04526 role at Walsall Council, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show Walsall Council that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
