Team Leader - Children & Family in Birkenhead

Team Leader - Children & Family in Birkenhead

Birkenhead Full-Time 28800 - 43200 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Wirral Borough Council

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team to support families, ensuring timely assessments and tailored family plans.
  • Company: Join Wirral Council, dedicated to improving children's services and community wellbeing.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, staff discounts, a solid pension scheme, and 28 days of annual leave.
  • Other info: Open to diverse applicants; adjustments available for accessibility during recruitment.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on families while growing in a supportive, inclusive environment.
  • Qualifications: Strong communication skills and experience in children's services are essential; IT skills preferred.

The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.

About the Role:

You will work closely within a team of managers supporting service delivery. A key element of the role is ensuring robust assessment of needs are completed in a timely manner, as well as family plans being led by the needs of the family and completed in a systemic style, ensuring all elements of the family dynamic and composite are taken into consideration. Wirral is part of the pathways programme, which has seen significant changes to how s17 is managed. For the first time, practitioners other than social workers may lead on the support being implemented. Therefore, it is vital that the successful candidate has strong experience working across the threshold of need and understands the legal framework within which Children\'s Services operate.

About the Candidate:

Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, are expected, along with a compassionate and empathic approach to supporting staff who work with children experiencing extreme trauma. Good IT skills are also required, and experience with Liquid Logic and EHM systems is advantageous.

If you’re already a Wirral Council employee, we are committed to providing opportunities for learning, growth, and progression. If you want to know more about how we can support your career development, please contact us via email at [emailprotected].

If you are a Wirral resident, unemployed, or out of work and need help with your application, please contact Involve Northwest’s employment and skills team at [emailprotected] or call 0151 644 4500 or 0151 652 4349.

Working at Wirral:

Our values reflect our pride in our work and influence how we approach our roles. We prioritize staff wellbeing, recognize and reward achievements, and invest in our people’s development. Benefits include staff discounts, a comprehensive pension scheme with employer contributions, life cover, ill-health protection, flexible and hybrid working arrangements, family-friendly policies, and an annual leave starting at 28 days plus public holidays.

We foster an inclusive, engaged culture where everyone’s voice is valued, and diversity is embraced. We support an environment that champions differences and nurtures a sense of belonging. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds who share our values to apply.

If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process to ensure accessibility, please contact [emailprotected].

Note: Employees in redeployment or who have left under EVR or VS schemes, unless in exceptional circumstances, will be considered first for vacancies.

Applications close at midnight on the deadline. The Council reserves the right to close the vacancy early if sufficient applications are received. Applications are only accepted via the Jobs page after registration; postal applications are not processed. All interviewees must demonstrate their right to work in the UK. The job description and supporting documents will be available until the closing date; please download them beforehand. Recruitment agencies are not accepted unless otherwise specified. Any submissions from agencies will not be considered.

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Team Leader - Children & Family in Birkenhead employer: Wirral Borough Council

Wirral Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises staff wellbeing and professional development, offering a supportive environment for Team Leaders in Children & Family services. With a commitment to inclusivity and diversity, employees benefit from flexible working arrangements, generous annual leave, and a comprehensive pension scheme, all while making a meaningful impact in the community. Join us in fostering a culture where every voice is valued and where you can grow your career in a dynamic and rewarding setting.

Wirral Borough Council

Contact Details:

Wirral Borough Council Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Team Leader - Children & Family in Birkenhead

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 Wirral Borough Council.

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 Wirral Borough Council!

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 Wirral Borough Council, 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 Wirral Borough Council 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 Team Leader - Children & Family in Birkenhead

Strong Communication Skills
Empathy and Compassion
Team Leadership
Understanding of Legal Frameworks in Children's Services
Experience with Needs Assessment
Systemic Family Planning
IT Proficiency

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 Wirral Borough Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Wirral Borough Council! 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 Wirral Borough Council

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.