Suffolk County Council is looking for passionate and motivated Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSW) to join our Children’s Services team in various locations across the county. As an NQSW, you will play a vital role in supporting children, young people, and their families by providing high-quality social care and safeguarding services. This is an exciting opportunity to develop your career in a supportive and dynamic environment where your professional growth and development are prioritized.
About the Council
Suffolk is a beautiful and diverse county in the East of England, offering a blend of vibrant towns, picturesque countryside, and a stunning coastline. Known for its rich history, cultural attractions, and strong community spirit, Suffolk provides an excellent quality of life. With a focus on innovation and support for its residents, Suffolk County Council is committed to creating a safe and nurturing environment for children and families across the region.
As a modern and effective council, we understand the importance of being flexible and well-connected in the ways we work. We focus our ambitions on doing what’s right for people, our partners and our communities – both now and for the future.
That’s why, as one of the largest employers in Suffolk, we believe in empowering everyone. Through career variety and collaborative working, accessible career paths and professional development.
The support and care we offer encourages and enables you to be the best you can be. To make a meaningful impact on the world around you. To achieve a unique sense of pride in what you do, why you do it and where. Reimagine the possibilities.
Position: Children’s Newly Qualified Social Workers
Salary: £32,076 a year
Job Type: Full Time
Location: Suffolk, UK (Hybrid)
About the Role
At Suffolk County Council, we are passionate about providing the highest quality care and support to children and young people in need. That’s why we are looking for flexible and highly motivated Newly Qualified Social Workers to join our teams. We believe that a healthy work-life balance is essential to providing good quality care, which is why we have created a positive environment where you will be fully supported to achieve your goals and reach your full potential during your Assessed and Support Year in Employment (ASYE).
We have opportunities available for Newly Qualified Social Workers across the following teams:
Social care teams working with children subject to s17 and s47 assessment, a child in need, and child protection plans
Child in care teams working with our children in care, both children in long-term placements and subject to care proceedings.
Main Duties
Communicating and engaging with children, young people and their families, with colleagues and with communities.
- Work directly with children, young people and families using the Suffolk Signs of Safety and Wellbeing framework.
- Where required by the role, to act as Lead Professional for named families, being the key contact with the family and liaising with other professionals to provide a joined-up response.
- Assessment, Planning and Review
- Use Suffolk signs of safety principles, disciplines and tools.
- Where required, to participate in CAF, multi-agency assessment, Statutory Assessment and other relevant assessment processes.
Effective Practice
- To work alongside children, young people, parents and families where there are early signs of social, emotional, health or behavioural issues to bring about sustainable improvement.
- Where required by role, take responsibility for managing cases and holding appropriate levels of risk, overseeing the input of support workers where involved.
- Work within the service guidelines, statutory guidance and legal frameworks.
- Information, Advice and Signposting
- To provide information and signposting for children, young people and families to relevant universal and specialist services in the local area and beyond where appropriate.
Multi-Agency and Partnership Working
- Actively build relationships and networks with other professional groups and services in the locality.
Managing Risk and Safeguarding
- To identify risk and safeguarding concerns and escalate immediately where appropriate.
- To undertake other tasks allocated by manager or senior colleagues, in keeping with the responsibilities of the grade:
Qualifications
- Suitable qualification at graduate level or equivalent experience in a relevant area of work.
- A relevant Social Work qualification and a Social Work England registration.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
Specialist knowledge skills and experience
- Ability to use initiative within boundaries of the role.
- Demonstrates knowledge of Signs of Safety and a broad practical understanding of and skills in using solution focused approaches of intervention.
- Ability to effectively apply solution focused approaches to deliver successful outcomes.
- Ability to clarify risks and concerns and focus on solutions to create a climate in which change can happen.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations and guidance as appropriate to role
Values and personal qualities
- Demonstrates a passion for making a positive difference for Suffolk.
- Shares our WE ASPIRE Values and strives to lead by example in relation to these.
- A strong commitment to fairness and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).
Benefits
- Up to 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays per annum, pro rata for part time
- An uplift of 3 additional annual leave days, pro rata for part time
- 3 protected CPD days per annum
- Access to a relocation package of up to £8,000, a car leasing scheme and a welcome loan of £2,000 for all new Social Workers moving to Suffolk
- Free on-site car parking in all council buildings
- Flexible working options and our commitment to supporting health and wellbeing
- Detailed induction programme, including mandatory Signs of Safety training
- Staff networks which are open to staff, councillors and partners that share similar characteristics, life experiences, values and beliefs.
- Sponsorship for a visa may be available for current UK residents. This role is based in Suffolk.
Required Documents
- CV/Resume
- Cover Letter
Application Process
Step 1 – Before applying for this job, please read the Job and Person Profile (docx) and our Progression Scheme (pdf)
Step 2 – Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.
Step 3 – Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 300 words per question). Please use this Supporting Statement template to answer these questions.
- Reflect on how your placement experiences have prepared you for this Newly Qualified Social Worker role. What were your placements? What key skills and insights did you gain?
- Give an example of when you had to conduct an assessment for a family during a placement. What framework did you use and how did you ensure it was thorough and child-centered?
Step 4 – Upload a CV (without name and personal details).
Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format. Please also state in your application the role/s, location, and team you are applying for).
For more information
For an informal discussion about the role/s, please email: cypsocialworkenquiries@suffolk.gov.uk or contact Steve Blaney, Social Care Service Manager, by calling 07742 505342.
Kindly CLICK HERE to learn more
Application Deadline
October 31, 2024 (11:30 pm)