Social Worker / Experienced Social Worker - Children in Care

Medway Council; Chatham; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits passionate social workers at a forward-thinking council, dedicated to improving children's services. Join a supportive and experienced team focused on relationship and strengths-based work with children and families. With competitive pay and a commitment to professional development, this role offers a chance to truly make a difference in the community. Enjoy benefits like generous annual leave, a local government pension scheme, and hybrid working options. If you're ready to take the next step in your career and contribute to meaningful change, this position is perfect for you.

Benefits

Generous annual leave (up to 30 days)

Local government pension scheme

Essential car user allowance

Free car parking

Hybrid working

Relocation package up to £8,000

Staff benefits and discounts

Access to professional development

Qualifications

• Recognised Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England required.
• Completion of ASYE is necessary for applicants.

Responsibilities

• Join the Children in Care Team to make a difference in children's lives.
• Work collaboratively with families using relationship-based practices.

Skills

Social Work

Relationship-based practice

Strengths-based approach

Driving licence

Education

Degree in Social Work

PGC in Social Work

CQSW

DipSW

Job description

Social Worker / Experienced Social Worker - Children in Care
Employer: Medway Council
Salary: Up to £49,146 (inclusive of market allowance) + annual retention payment
Location: Chatham, Kent
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full Time
Hours: 37 hours per week.
DBS Check: Enhanced
Closing Date: 24/12/2024 at 23:59
Reference: CSC/24/283/EG

We are currently recruiting Social Workers to join our Children in Care Team. We are proud to be ‘Good’ in Medway and are determined to build on the great work that has been done so far to improve the services for our children, young people and families.

Recent promotions, following our investment in new Assistant Team Managers across the service, mean we are now looking for passionate social workers who can commit to making a difference to our children in Medway.

Children matter in Medway, and so do you. It’s an exciting time to join us as we offer competitive pay and conditions and hybrid working. We are committed to helping you to grow and develop throughout your career and reach your full potential. Our practice development offer along with management capacity across our teams, ensures you will be guided, supported and cared for.

Whether you have recently completed your ASYE or have worked in children’s social work for some years we would love you to join us on our ongoing journey. You will be joining an experienced and dedicated social work team who have relationship and strengths-based work with children and families at the core of their practice.

Experienced Social Workers (with 2+ years post qualifying experience) will be offered a package of up to £50,067 per annum (inclusive of benefits).

Social Workers with less than 2 years’ service will be offered a package of up to £45,055 per annum (inclusive of benefits).

Join us and #Make a Difference …

Our Offer

We are proud to offer a range of benefits including –

• A generous annual leave entitlement up to 30 days plus bank holidays
• An excellent local government pension scheme
• An essential car user allowance with option to apply for a lease car after six months.
• Free car parking
• Hybrid working - enabling you to work from home/office (minimum of 2 days per week will be required in the office). Assessment Teams are office based for duty weeks.
• Relocation package of up to £8,000
• A range of staff benefits and discounts including access to fantastic discounts and savings on shops and services, travel discounts, health and wellbeing support, and an employee assistance service.
• Access to professional development and support including Community Care Inform.

About You

• You will hold a recognised Social Work qualification eg. Degree in Social Work, PGC in Social Work, CQSW, DipSW or equivalent and be registered with Social Work England.
• You will have successfully completed your ASYE
• You will have a full driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes.

For further information on the qualifications, skills and experience required, please refer to the Job Profile and Person Specification.

Additional Information

For an informal discussion, please don't hesitate to contact one of the recruiting managers below. Alternatively, please email the recruitment team on.

Laura Saunders, Service Manager (Children in Care) on 01634 337328.

To apply please click on the ‘Apply Online’ button at the bottom of this advert.

Applications will be reviewed weekly and shortlisted candidates invited to interview via Microsoft Teams.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.

This position is subject to an Enhanced Children’s DBS Check.

For more information on our roles within Children’s Services please visit https://www.medway.gov.uk/childrenservicesjobs

Please consider the application guidance when submitting your application.

Please note that all recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email, if you require documentation/correspondence in hard copy format, please contact the Children's Services Recruitment Team on 01634 332211 or email.

If you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted.

Medway Council is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All appropriately qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or age.

For further information please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online.

How to apply

Please be advised that we only accept online applications submitted through JobsGoPublic ATS.

If you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted.

All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email, if you require documentation/correspondence in different format such as braille or large print, please contact the Resourcing Team on 01634 332878.