At a Glance
- Tasks: Change lives by supporting individuals with care needs and promoting their independence.
- Company: Join Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, a supportive and inclusive local authority.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, staff discounts, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic team with manageable caseloads and strong agency partnerships.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while growing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Professional Social Work qualification, Best Interest Assessor accreditation, and safeguarding knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Social Worker in our Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) Team. You will be enthusiastic and passionate about changing the lives of people with care and support needs, and carers, through the promotion of wellbeing and choice, making a real difference and enabling them to increase their independence and have fulfilling lives, free from harm and abuse.
You will have the opportunity to gain knowledge and abilities across a broad range of social work activity, such as assessment and care planning and safeguarding. Based at the Council House, Solihull, our small, specialised and ambitious team plays a key role in overseeing the effective application of DoLS legislation. You will need to be an experienced Best Interest Assessor (BIA), and will lead on assessments and authorisations to safeguard individuals' rights while balancing legal and operational responsibilities.
To be successful in this role, you will have:
- A professional Social Work qualification and registered with Social Work England.
- Best Interest Assessor accreditation.
- Knowledge of safeguarding principles and relevant legislation.
- Experience of delivering person-centred and strengths-based working including assessments and reviews.
- Detailed knowledge of the care legislation including the continuing health care framework.
- Experience of assessment, the development and planning of care and of positive risk management.
- Effective communication skills and experience of collaborative working to build effective working relationships.
- Above all, a passion for supporting adults with disabilities to live fulfilling lives and maximise their opportunities for independence.
You will be part of a team where you will be really valued, with the opportunity to shape and improve the services we deliver to our diverse community. We have close partnerships across agencies in the borough and are a small and friendly local authority with good relationships across adult care and support.
We understand that our employees have commitments and interests outside work and encourage good work-life balance by offering a flexible and agile working environment. This is further supplemented by generous annual leave entitlements with the opportunity to purchase up to 10-days additional leave per year, a flexitime scheme with up to 24 days per year, staff discounts, family and carer friendly policies and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
Working on a hybrid basis; these roles will include a combination of office and home working with face-to-face visits and assessments being an essential element of the role, as well as taking part in our office-based duty service.
This post requires a DBS Check. This post is covered by the Fluency Duty as outlined in the Code of Practice on the English language requirements for public sector workers. Solihull Council is proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. Solihull Council has a responsibility for, and a commitment to, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Social Worker in Solihull employer: WMJobs
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council is an excellent employer for Social Workers, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional development. With manageable caseloads, flexible working arrangements, and generous leave entitlements, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals while enjoying a healthy work-life balance in a friendly local authority setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker in Solihull
✨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 Social Worker in Solihull
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.
