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Newly Qualified ASYE Social Workers (Children's Services) - Ref: CH07921

Employer
Walsall Council
Location
Walsall, West Midlands
Salary
£30,451 - £34,728 per annum
Closing date
6 Feb 2022
Reference
CH07921

Job Details

Newly Qualified ASYE Social Workers (Children's Services) - Ref: CH07921

Grade 8: £30,451 - £34,728 per annum

This is a re-advertisement, previous applicants need not reapply

Equality Statement

We want our staff and management teams to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve in Walsall, and in Children’s Social Care we are committed to promoting equality and anti-discriminatory practice.

We welcome applications from people of all cultures, races, ethnicities and religions, of different genders, ages, sexual orientations, disabled applicants, and recognise unique perspectives and contributions.

Working for Walsall Children’s Services

Walsall is a great place to practice Social Work. We strive to provide the best services and outcomes for our children, young people and families, and this has just been recognised by Ofsted who have graded us as GOOD!

Ofsted told us that: ‘There is a strong corporate commitment and investment in children’s services from the chief executive, lead member and other members to implement Walsall Council’s priorities for children. As a result, there is tangible progress and benefits for children, their families and the workforce. There has been a significant reduction in social work caseloads so social workers can spend more time with children and their families. Workforce stability is good and results in fewer changes of social workers for children’.

To achieve this we try to keep a resolute focus on workloads. Our current workload average is 13.3% per full-time Social Worker.

We have introduced Family Safeguarding Model, where Social Workers work alongside specialist adult practitioners with the aim of keeping children safe in their families through providing timely help, protection and support. The model has been in place for over a year and we are really starting to see the difference, with Ofsted reporting that they saw exceptional practice from social workers, which helps children’s experience improve and supports families to make positive improvements in their lives.  As a result of this, our numbers of children supported by a child protection plan have reduced by half and children entering care have reduced by 30%. This is just one of a number of new and innovative approaches we are implementing to do things differently.

We have significantly improved our workforce stability, and we would like you to join our increasingly settled, permanent staff group. Our staff tell us things are improving, in our 2021 Health Check Survey 93% of staff said they feel positive about working for Walsall. Feedback was that this was especially because we have a small community feeling here in Walsall, and staff feel part of a team and supported by their managers and Senior Managers.

For our Social Workers to be able to support children and young people and keep them safe, they need to feel safe and supported. We have just launched a new Workforce and Wellbeing Strategy to put wellbeing at the heart of everything we do. As part of this we are trialling clinical supervision for our Social Workers and Team Mangers in partnership with The Child Psychology Service, as part of an enhanced wellbeing programme for all staff.

We offer flexible working, with a hybrid approach of home working and office based working to maintain our team support and culture.

We also have a comprehensive career development offer: from our ASYE programme – considered an example of good practice, to our Core Offer for all Social Workers, Practice Educator and Team Manager Programmes. As practitioners gain experience, they are also able to access specialist training: for example in our Practice Leads with Centre for Expertise in Child Sexual Abuse, Achieving Best Evidence training, and Restorative Practice coaching.

Our staff are our biggest resources and we want to invest in them! We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including retention payments for Social Workers in key frontline practice roles in Duty and Assessment, and Family Safeguarding Teams. These start at 10% of annual salary after 2 years working for us, increasing to 12% after 4, and 14% after 6 years.

This is a great time to join us – get in touch to find out more: PracticeDevelopmentHub@walsall.gov.uk

Read our full Inspection Report and feedback here: Ofsted | Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council

The Role - ASYE Social Worker

Your first steps in Social Work can be some of the most rewarding and challenging in your career. We want you to take those steps with us.

In Walsall we are committed to your development. We offer an ASYE programme that is hosted by the Practice Development Hub which has been nationally recognised as an example of good practice. When you join Walsall, you will have a two week induction which will introduce you to our practice framework, the ASYE programme, and start your training in key areas. You will then transition to join your team, where you will commence the ASYE programme supported by your Team Manager, a Senior Practitioner and the Practice Development Hub. You will have a protected caseload across your first year, that will grow as your knowledge and skills develop. Across the year, there will be set training and practice development sessions, as well as study days so you have protected time for your learning.

The aim of the ASYE programme is to equip you with all the foundation skills you need as a child and family Social Worker. Here in Walsall we will support you across your career, and are committed to offering you a range of exciting opportunities and a clear progression pathway.

We are advertising for vacancies in our Duty and Assessment, and Family Safeguarding Services. Please state when submitting your application which service or services you wish to apply for.

View Job Description & Employee Specification

View Information for Applicants

Closing date for applications: 6 February 2022

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.

Company

Walsall Council

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.

View Walsall Council vacancies

Applying for Jobs with Walsall Council

Take the stress out of making job applications by watching our ‘Applying for Jobs with Walsall Council’ video.

Living in Walsall

FROZENPart of the Black Country, famous for its enterprising and industrial past, Walsall is reinventing itself to become a progressive modern community. The borough is centred around the major town of Walsall, but also includes five smaller and distinctive district centres (Bloxwich, Aldridge, Willenhall, Darlaston and Brownhills), together with numerous villages.

 

Find out more about Living in Walsall.

Walsall Council is committed to Safer Recruitment.

MinerTo achieve our commitment, we will ensure continuous development and improvement of robust recruitment processes and procedures that promote a culture of safeguarding amongst our workforce.  

 

 

 

Social Work Matters - Children's Social Worker Recruitment

Some of our children require a special kind of support: yours.  Visit our microsite to find out more about joining Walsall Council as a Children's Social Worker. 

Armed Forces Covenant

We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant. Walsall Council will guarantee an interview for any candidate who has formerly served in the Armed Forces and who meets the essential criteria for the job.

 

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Company info
Website
Telephone
01922 650000
Location
Civic Centre
Darwall Street
Walsall
West Midlands
WS1 1TP
United Kingdom

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