At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable young people affected by child exploitation and ensure their safety.
- Company: Join a dedicated Young People’s Safeguarding service in Peterborough.
- Benefits: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people.
- Other info: Work collaboratively with police, education, and health services.
- Why this job: Be a vital part of safeguarding and empowering at-risk youth.
- Qualifications: Must have hands-on experience with Child Sexual Exploitation and safeguarding.
We are seeking an experienced Child Exploitation Social Worker to join a specialist Young People’s Safeguarding service in Peterborough. This role is specifically suited to a Social Worker with strong, demonstrable experience working with children and young people affected by exploitation, particularly Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE).
PLEASE NOTE: Previous hands-on experience working with Child Exploitation and CSE is ESSENTIAL. Candidates without this specific experience will be rejected.
The Role
- Managing a statutory caseload across Children in Need (CIN), Child Protection (CP) and Children in Care (CIC).
- Working directly with young people at risk of or experiencing Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and other forms of exploitation.
- Undertaking comprehensive safeguarding assessments and identifying exploitation risks.
- Developing and implementing effective safety and risk management plans.
- Completing direct work with children, young people and families.
- Building trusted relationships with young people who may be reluctant to engage with professionals.
- Responding to complex safeguarding concerns and escalating risks appropriately.
- Working closely with police, education, health, youth services and other partner agencies.
- Contributing to multi-agency safeguarding meetings and strategy discussions.
- Preparing high-quality assessments, reports and statutory documentation.
- Ensuring the child’s voice, wishes and feelings remain central to all safeguarding activity.
- Supporting young people to reduce their vulnerability to exploitation and achieve improved outcomes.
About You – ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE
We are looking for a qualified Social Worker who has recent and substantial experience of child exploitation work. You MUST have:
- A Social Work qualification and current Social Work England registration.
- Significant experience within children’s safeguarding.
- Direct experience working with Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE).
- Experience supporting children and young people affected by child exploitation, including identifying vulnerabilities, assessing risk and implementing safeguarding plans.
- Experience of statutory CIN, CP and/or CIC work.
- Strong experience undertaking direct work with young people and families.
- Excellent understanding of safeguarding and contextual safeguarding.
- Experience working within complex multi-agency safeguarding environments.
Important – Please Read Before Applying
This is a Child Exploitation-focused Social Worker role. We are specifically looking for candidates who have hands-on experience of working with children and young people affected by CSE and/or child exploitation. Candidates who only have general children’s social work experience, but cannot demonstrate specific Child Exploitation/CSE experience, will NOT be considered or submitted. If you have specialist experience working with CSE, criminal exploitation, county lines, contextual safeguarding or vulnerable adolescents, we would be particularly interested in hearing from you.
Child Sexual Exploitation Social worker in Peterborough employer: We Do Social Work
We Do Social Work is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff, offering a supportive work culture where collaboration and innovation thrive. As a Social Work Assistant in the Children & Families team, you will benefit from ongoing training and professional growth opportunities, all while making a meaningful impact in the community. Located in a vibrant area, our organisation values flexibility and encourages a healthy work-life balance, making it an ideal place for those passionate about social work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Child Sexual Exploitation Social worker in Peterborough
✨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 Child Sexual Exploitation Social worker in Peterborough
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.
