At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable children and families through child protection planning and care proceedings.
- Company: Join Staffordshire County Council, a community-focused organisation making a real difference.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, exceptional learning opportunities, and a supportive environment.
- Other info: Ongoing training provided; we value diverse experiences and transferable skills.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on children's lives while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in child-centred practice and family law.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
With our new operating model, we’re making sure our social workers can do what they do best! We have an opportunity for an experienced Social Worker to join our assessment and staying together team on a full-time basis but we're also happy to discuss part time as well, just get in touch. You would be supporting vulnerable children and their families through child protection planning and care proceedings, ensuring the needs of children are paramount and their voice is central to the work you do.
Our Social Workers make a huge difference to the lives of people across our county. They take pride in supporting children and families and we’re equally proud to help them give their best in whatever ways we can. That’s why you can expect everything from agile and flexible working options to exceptional learning and development if you join our team. You can also expect our commitment to creating the best service we can. Although we’re already rated as ‘Good’ by OFSTED, we’re determined to uphold the highest standards and drive continual improvement and learning.
This role is for 30 hours, based in Cannock. For information, please note that there is currently an ongoing review within Children and Families to realign individual teams and the wider team’s ways of working. As a result, this role may be affected by the review. For further information, please speak to the hiring manager.
Main Responsibilities
As an advanced practitioner within an assessment and staying together team, you will support children and families who are supported via Child Protection planning, Public Law Outline, and care proceedings. This will involve completing meaningful visits to children and regular multi-agency meetings to ensure plans are progressed in a child-focused and timely way. You will be expected to complete child-focused assessments and documents for reviews meetings and court. Therefore, being confident in both public and private proceedings is key to this role.
The Ideal Candidate
The minimum criteria that will be used to shortlist for this role will be:
- Experienced Qualified Social Worker having completed your ASYE year
- Registered with Social Work England
- Have a current UK driving licence and vehicle
- Have a firm understanding of public and private family law proceedings
- Be passionate about child-centred practice
But above all, you’ll bring the desire to work with children and families to give them the right support, at the right time with the aim of keeping families together where it’s safe to do so.
Interviews will take place on 7th October 2026. Don’t feel you meet all the requirements? We value transferable skills, experiences, and qualifications so consider applying anyway or for an informal chat about the role.
About Staffordshire County Council
We are no ordinary county council: Our Values: The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively. Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy: We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future. We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.
Our benefits:
We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance. In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to our rewards and benefits.
As an Authority, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities.
As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post. As you’ll know safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people/vulnerable adults is important to us and that’s why this position is subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. If applicable you should disclose details of unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form.
Advanced Children's Social Worker in Cannock employer: We Manage Jobs(WMJobs)
Walsall Council is an exceptional employer for Social Workers, offering a supportive environment that prioritises manageable workloads and professional development. With a recent 'Outstanding' OFSTED rating, employees benefit from flexible working arrangements, specialised clinical supervision, and a commitment to anti-discrimination and equality, ensuring a fulfilling career dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children and young people.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced Children's Social Worker in Cannock
✨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 Manage Jobs(WMJobs).
✨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 Manage Jobs(WMJobs)!
✨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 Manage Jobs(WMJobs), 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 Manage Jobs(WMJobs) 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 Advanced Children's Social Worker in Cannock
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 Manage Jobs(WMJobs):Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to We Manage Jobs(WMJobs)! 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 Manage Jobs(WMJobs)
✨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.