At the start of your social work career? Are you ambitious for yourself, and do you want to deliver great work for children and families? Looking for a local authority where you will be supported to develop and will have great learning opportunities, regular and enhanced supervision, and a focus on your wellbeing? Are you passionate about and committed to a way of working that is about helping and empowering families to keep children safe? Take a look at this exciting opportunity that has opened in Walsall.
The role…
In Walsall we understand the need to invest in our Social Workers, and we have an exciting opportunity for you to join the Local Authority as an ASYE Social Worker. We offer a specialist dedicated AYSE Programme that has been reviewed, with the introduction coming a specialist practice framework based on motivational interviewing, trauma-informed practice and systemic social work practice. You will be supported as a small unit of 4 / 5 ASYEs working with a dedicated Consultant Social Worker who will undertake weekly group supervision, co-work some families and provide regular guidance, mentoring and support to you.
We offer posts in the following areas:
- Duty and Assessment
- Family Safeguarding
- Children in Care
About us…
Walsall is a stable local authority that has been judged as ‘good’ by Ofsted. Our social workers are positive about working here. Our overall staff satisfaction was most recently an average of 8.1/10, with the main thing being that social workers feel safe, and supported by their managers and colleagues.
We know and understand that being a social worker is hard work and challenging at times, and that as an ASYE you are at the beginning of your career journey. We are committed to staff wellbeing, and to listening to you and doing the things that make social work a doable job. This includes:
- Retention Payments of 10% of your annual salary after 2 years, paid monthly, increasing at 4 and 6 years employment.
- The option of flexible working – we offer a 9-day fortnight, where you can compress your contracted hours. This is to offer families flexible and make sure your can take back time accrued.
- A 2 week induction which will introduce you to our practice framework, the ASYE programme, and start your training in key areas
- A transition to join your team, where you will commence the ASYE programme supported by your Team Manager, a Senior Practitioner and ASYE Consultant Social Worker
- Allocation of families will gradually increase in complexity and volume over the course of your Assessed and Supported Year in Employment
- Protected study time during your ASYE year
- Induction period which will introduce you to our practice framework, understanding of service areas and start key training.Access to 1:1 and/or group Clinical Supervision with the Child Psychology Service should you wish further support in your practice.
- A commitment to reducing bureaucracy and paperwork.
- Clear career progression route with the option of progressing to a Specialist Senior Social Worker when you are 2 and a half years post qualified
- Significant contribution towards your LGPS pension scheme
- Refund SWE registration fees
Closing date for applications: 16th February 2024*
*Note: We recommend that you apply as early as possible as if we receive high numbers of applicants then we may close the vacancy earlier than stated.
Walsall Council takes seriously the responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all the children and young people entrusted to our care and it is our expectation that all staff will share this commitment. We will ensure continuous development and improvement of robust recruitment processes and procedures that promote a culture of safeguarding amongst our workforce.
Completion of an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is a requirement for working with children and young people. Note: Applicants appointed to posts that require an enhanced DBS clearance must declare any periods of time that they have lived, studied or worked abroad and be prepared to provide an Overseas Criminal Records Certificate (OCRC) or a Statement of Good Conduct (SOGC) relating to anytime they were overseas.
This post is covered by the Government’s Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers.
Important note: When completing your online application form, you will be asked to enter supporting information. You must enter a detailed supporting information statement describing how your skills, abilities and experience meet the specific criteria included in the employee specification. If you do not include a supporting information statement, you will not be shortlisted. Please do not add a CV as we do not accept them. Please see our Information for Applicants leaflet for further information.
ABOUT US
Here at Walsall, we want to attract the best talent. That’s why – as well as a satisfying and rewarding job – we offer a range of attractive benefits. Working arrangements in most jobs are flexible (you may work flexitime, full or part time and job sharing is usually available) and you can expect generous holiday entitlements, a first class pension scheme and plenty of opportunities for training and personal development.
We advertise vacancies because we want the best talent available. If that’s you, we’re waiting for your application.
