Newly Qualified Social Worker (Child Protection/Children Looked After)

Post Ref: CC526

Our Vision for Calderdale in 2024 is a place where everyone can reach their potential and lead a larger life. We will be defined by our innate kindness and resilience and be measured by how our people and communities care and support each other. We embrace the positive benefits of a diverse workforce, and we are committed to providing an environment that is inclusive. We encourage applications from people who share our commitment to challenge inequality and promote diversity across Calderdale.

Calderdale Council’s Children’s Services have been judged by Ofsted as ‘Good’ with outstanding features across our services. We have fantastic opportunities in Children’s Social Care and are looking for passionate and committed people who can make a meaningful difference to our children and contribute to our continuing improvement journey.

Calderdale is a beautiful metropolitan borough in the heart of the Yorkshire Pennines, situated between Manchester and Leeds. The spectacular natural landscape, vibrant towns, quirky culture, and tremendous architecture make it a great place to live and work. Our ideal location allows for easy access via the motorway or rail into town centres or the surrounding area.

Following the pandemic, we have now returned to our modern offices, empowering our social workers to help and support our communities from a central hub. We recognise the need for social workers to spend time with their teams in an office environment and this is prioritised for our teams, but we also realise some benefits of home working too. Therefore, we are flexible in having a combination of the two depending on your individual needs.

Our systemic practice model means that we value our relationships and collaboration with children and families, colleagues, and partners. We promote practice reflection and understand the importance of learning, both as individuals and as an organisation. We use a shared set of values, a common language, and a consistent approach. We prize learning above blame and a supportive, generous work culture is encouraged.

We pride ourselves on the support we provide all social workers offering great support in their first year of practice with our ASYE (Assessed and Supported Year in Employment) programme and then continuing to support growth and development through our Progression Pathway enabling social workers plan their career and take advantage of the opportunities on offer.

What you can expect as a Newly Qualified Social Worker:

• You will be part of a small team (pod) led by a practice manager.
• You will receive a high frequency of supervision when you join your team. This will reduce as you become more confident in practice.
• You will receive quality personal, case, and reflective (pod) supervision regularly.
• You will have access to the ASYE network meetings each month.
• You will have 10% protected time per week (equivalent to half a day a week) for learning and development.
• You will have a capped caseload.
• You will have a thorough induction.
• You will have shadowing opportunities with your peers across the team.
• You will have access to key training opportunities such as Section 47 training and court skills.
• You will be valued and supported and treated with respect.

Applications will be accepted from student social workers who are in their final year of their University Social Work degree course. Applications will also be considered from newly qualified social workers who are registered with Social Work England.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff to share this commitment. Applicants to posts that are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act will require a DBS from the Disclosure and Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed.

Closing Date: Sunday, 19th March 2023

We may utilise digital interview methods.

We welcome applications from all and offer a variety of flexible working / job share opportunities for both full and part time staff.

All applications are anonymised before being seen by the selection panel.

On 30 January 2019, the Council declared a climate emergency in a bold move to step up its action to tackle climate change.

We reserve the right to close vacancies prior to the advertised closing date, an early submission is advised.