At a Glance
- Tasks: Champion children's rights and provide essential support to vulnerable families.
- Company: Join West Berkshire Council, a child-focused organisation striving for excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible working, and generous leave plus bonuses for long service.
- Other info: Dynamic team with strong leadership and commitment to employee wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your social work career.
- Qualifications: Must have a recognised Social Work qualification and experience in Child Protection.
The predicted salary is between 36840 - 40000 £ per year.
Do you have a passion for social work? Are you an experienced and inspiring Social Work practitioner with Child Protection experience? Are you committed to providing excellent services to vulnerable children and families? We are Ofsted rated Good and aspire to work towards an Outstanding rating. West Berkshire Council’s leadership team is strong, stable and child-focused, continuing to improve services for children and families in West Berkshire. We are looking for an experienced and dynamic children’s Social Work practitioner to join our Contact Advice and Assessment Service (CAAS) as a Social Worker. In this role you will champion the rights of our children and young people while ensuring children are safeguarded and completing Assessment of Needs.
Responsibilities
- As a Social Worker you will help us ensure that the right children receive the right care and support and you will contribute to the wider work of the service in improving outcomes for children and young people.
- You will be responsible for managing a caseload of Child Protection and Child in Need Assessments, providing continuous oversight of the assessments for the children concerned.
Qualifications and Skills
- Hold a recognised Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
- Hold a current driving licence and have use of a car.
- Have good organisational and planning skills.
- Have experience of managing levels of risk within a caseload of complex cases.
- Demonstrate knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations, guidance and policies.
- Have excellent stakeholder management skills, being able to build effective relationships with colleagues, individuals and external organisations.
- Have effective skills in managing conflict and disagreement.
Our Offer to You
- A golden hello payment of £3,000 after one year in post.
- A retention payment of £2,000 after two years of service.
- A further retention payment of £3,000, plus a four-week paid sabbatical after three years’ service.
- Flexible working: West Berkshire has adopted a Hybrid Working Policy, allowing employees to split time between the workplace and remote work.
- Social Work England registration fees reimbursed.
- Dedicated employee wellbeing service with Employment Assistance Programme offering discounts at a variety of retailers, services and everyday spending.
- Regular and high-quality reflective supervision.
- Approachable and visible senior leadership.
- Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Generous annual leave allowance, starting at 29 days plus an additional 5 days leave after five years continuous local authority service.
- Relocation package for individuals moving from outside a 30-mile radius (subject to eligibility).
- Blue Light card fees reimbursed.
- Use of the PeopleSafe App, a reliable tool offering real-time monitoring, emergency assistance, and peace of mind when lone working.
Equal Opportunities
The Council supports equal opportunity employment and positively encourages applications from people who fall within any of the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.
How To Apply
Please complete a short online application form and upload your CV.
Key Information
This role has been identified as public facing in accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016; the requirement to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English applies. West Berkshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The role involves regulated activity with children; appointment is subject to an enhanced DBS check with the relevant Barred List(s) and you will maintain continuous registration with the DBS Update Service for the duration of your employment.
AI in Applications
We recognise that candidates may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support the preparation of their job applications. If an application appears to rely excessively on AI-generated content, it may be rejected. We encourage all applicants to ensure their submissions are authentic, tailored to the role, and clearly demonstrate their own knowledge, experience and suitability.
Due to West Berkshire Council’s size and scale, and limited number of social work vacancies, we are not currently able to accept applications from overseas social workers. If you are interested in working with us and want to know more, contact Liz Roles, Team Manager at 01635 503190 for an informal chat about this role.
Social Worker (CAAS team) - 04244, 03307, 05152 in Newbury employer: Westberks
West Berkshire Council is an excellent employer for Social Workers, offering a supportive and child-focused work environment that prioritises the welfare of vulnerable children and families. With competitive benefits such as a golden hello payment, generous annual leave, flexible working arrangements, and a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, staff are encouraged to grow professionally through regular supervision and training opportunities. The council's stable leadership and dedication to achieving outstanding service ratings make it a rewarding place to build a meaningful career in social work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker (CAAS team) - 04244, 03307, 05152 in Newbury
✨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 Westberks.
✨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 Westberks!
✨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 Westberks, 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 Westberks 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 (CAAS team) - 04244, 03307, 05152 in Newbury
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 Westberks:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Westberks! 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 Westberks
✨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.
