At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct Kinship Assessments to support children and families in need.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on child welfare and family support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to work collaboratively with families and partner agencies.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through impactful assessments.
- Qualifications: Must have 3+ years of social work experience and expertise in Kinship Assessments.
The predicted salary is between 34650 - 42350 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced Children’s Social Worker with specialist experience in Kinship Assessments to join a dedicated team supporting children and families. This role requires a Social Worker who has substantial experience assessing family members and connected adults who may be able to provide care for children. The successful candidate will be confident completing detailed assessments, analysing risk and providing clear recommendations to support safe and appropriate care arrangements.
Essential Experience
- A minimum of 3 years' experience working in a permanent Social Worker role.
- Strong experience working with children and families.
- Direct and demonstrable experience completing all types of Kinship Assessments, including:
- Viability Assessments
- Special Guardianship Order (SGO) Assessments
- Connected Carer Assessments
- Generic Fostering Team experience alone will NOT be considered. Candidates must be able to demonstrate direct experience completing the specified Kinship Assessments.
Key Responsibilities
- Complete comprehensive Kinship Assessments in line with statutory requirements and local authority procedures.
- Undertake Viability Assessments to establish whether family members or connected adults may be suitable carers.
- Complete Special Guardianship Assessments and provide clear evidence-based recommendations.
- Undertake Connected Carer Assessments, considering the individual's ability to meet the child's needs.
- Conduct detailed interviews, home visits and background checks as part of the assessment process.
- Assess strengths, vulnerabilities, risks and protective factors.
- Analyse information from multiple sources and make sound professional recommendations.
- Work collaboratively with children, parents, family members, carers and partner agencies.
- Ensure the child's wishes, feelings, safety and best interests remain central throughout the assessment.
- Prepare high-quality assessment reports within required timescales.
- Maintain accurate and comprehensive case records.
- Work in accordance with relevant legislation, safeguarding procedures and professional standards.
Candidate Requirements
- Qualified Social Worker
- Minimum 3 years' permanent Social Work experience
- Strong Children's Services experience
- Experience working directly with children and families
- Recent, demonstrable experience completing Viability, SGO and Connected Carer Assessments
- Strong assessment, analytical and report-writing skills
- Excellent safeguarding and risk assessment knowledge
- Ability to work independently and manage a caseload effectively
- Current Social Work England registration
- Enhanced DBS or willingness to obtain one
Specifically looking for Social Workers with hands-on experience completing Kinship Assessments, including Viability, Special Guardianship and Connected Carer Assessments. Candidates who cannot demonstrate this specific experience will not be considered.
CSW – Senior Social Worker / Advanced Practitioner – Kinship Care Team - Social Care Qualified employer: We Do Social Work
We Do Social Work is an excellent employer located in Altrincham, offering a supportive and friendly work environment where employees can thrive. With a focus on professional development and career progression, this role provides a unique opportunity to engage in diverse tasks while contributing to a growing specialist recruitment agency dedicated to making a difference in the public sector. Join us to build your skills and be part of a team that values your contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land CSW – Senior Social Worker / Advanced Practitioner – Kinship Care Team - Social Care Qualified
✨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 We Do Social Work.
✨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 We Do Social Work!
✨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 We Do Social Work, 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 We Do Social Work 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 CSW – Senior Social Worker / Advanced Practitioner – Kinship Care Team - Social Care Qualified
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 We Do Social Work:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to We Do Social Work! 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 We Do Social Work
✨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.
