At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide vital support and guidance to families in need through our specialist contact centre.
- Company: Join Staffordshire County Council, a community-focused organisation making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive work environment, competitive salary, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with a commitment to safeguarding and equality.
- Why this job: Be the first point of contact, helping families receive timely support and making a positive impact.
- Qualifications: Customer service experience, strong IT skills, and excellent interpersonal abilities required.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
Staffordshire County Council is looking for individuals who thrive in a busy, fast-paced environment where every conversation matters. If you have a calm, sensitive approach and a passion for helping families get the right support at the right time, we would love to hear from you.
We are on an ambitious improvement journey, and our Duty Advice & Support Workers play a pivotal role in ensuring children and families receive safe, timely and effective responses from the very first contact.
Why This Role MattersAt the Front Door, you are often the first person a family or professional speaks to. Your ability to listen, gather information and respond professionally is fundamental to keeping children safe and helping families stay strong, connected and supported within their communities.
Your work ensures that:
- Families receive clear guidance and support early
- Referrals are triaged effectively and promptly
- Information is accurate and reliable to support decision-making
- Children’s needs are understood from the outset
You will:
- Provide professional advice and guidance to families and agencies contacting the Front Door, via our newly created specialist contact centre.
- Be the first point of contact for referrals, obtaining clear and sensitive information.
- Distinguish between enquiries requiring information and those needing assessment.
- Complete high-quality referral forms and ensure timely updates on our electronic systems.
- Carry out history checks and gather information to support decision-making.
- Work closely with the management team to ensure the smooth operation of the duty service.
- Contribute to team development and embrace our restorative, “Think Family” approach.
- Provide clear signposting where needs can be met safely outside statutory services.
You’ll bring:
- Experience in customer service and working in a busy office environment.
- Strong IT skills and confidence in using electronic recording systems.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to deal sensitively with sometimes difficult conversations.
- The ability to manage competing demands, stay organised and work under pressure.
- A flexible, positive approach and willingness to adapt quickly to changing priorities.
- Commitment to high-quality service, safeguarding and equality.
- GCSE English or equivalent, and relevant customer care or business administration qualifications.
- Typing/word processing skills (around 50 wpm).
This is a role where accuracy, professionalism and compassion truly matter. If you have experience working with internal and external customers and providing high-quality service in a fast-moving environment, you will thrive here.
Interviews will be held on: 14th August 2026.
For an informal chat about the role please contact us.
Our Recruitment Process:We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you’ll bring to the role.
About Staffordshire County CouncilWe are no ordinary county council. Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of our 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 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.
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.
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.
Duty Advice and Support Worker – Integrated Front Door employer: WMJobs
West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is an exceptional employer that champions a collaborative and inclusive work culture, offering employees the chance to make a tangible impact in the public sector. With a strong focus on professional development and growth opportunities, WMCA supports its staff in navigating the complexities of local governance while fostering a dynamic environment that values innovation and adaptability. Located in the heart of the West Midlands, employees benefit from a vibrant community and access to a range of resources aimed at enhancing their career journey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Duty Advice and Support Worker – Integrated Front Door
✨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 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 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 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 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 Duty Advice and Support Worker – Integrated Front Door
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 WMJobs:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to 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 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.