The Role

Having expanded our programme for Newly Qualified Social Workers, led and co-ordinated by Wandsworth Children’s Social Care Academy, we are now recruiting 4 NQSWs to join our next cohort for the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) programme starting in Sept/Oct 2019.

COLLABORATION TO PROTECT - WE GIVE YOU WHAT THEY NEED

At Wandsworth, we believe that if we invest in new ways of thinking and working, you'll have everything you need to do the job you trained for. In turn, that means we're able to deliver the best possible support for children and young people.

We have improved how we support our NQSWs. We have developed our Social Care Academy programme which focusses on a strong and positive induction into statutory children’s social work.

We want our NQSWs to become excellent social work practitioners who are able to build positive relationships with children and their families to achieve positive outcomes. We will do this through high levels of support coupled with high expectations and challenge.

If you are successful in joining our programme we can provide you with high quality induction and incremental learning opportunities. Our approach to your learning will afford you high levels of supervision through both a line manager and a dedicated ASYE assessor based in our Social Care Academy, as well as an excellent support programme in your ASYE. This will include action learning sets and bespoke training workshops.

We currently have 12 NQSWs that began with us in September 2018 and will have 8 more who joined us in April/May 2019. We have 4 vacancies to recruit to as part of a cohort of 8 starting in Sept/Oct 2019. This comprises those who have come into the profession from various routes including the traditional university route, Frontline and Step Up to Social Work.

Support is strengthened through our link with the South West London and Surrey Social Work Teaching Partnership promoting links between theory, research and practice.

In return you will be responsible for delivering a high-quality and responsive social work service. You will work across a range of cases with a progressively increasing caseload. During your ASYE you will have the opportunity to co-work and lead on child protection cases with support, as well as working with children in need and looked after children.

You will work collaboratively with experienced social workers, allied health and social care practitioners, bringing together and coordinating the team around the child to ensure a multi-disciplinary approach to safeguarding, as well as Assessment, Planning, Implementation and Review (APIR).

We look for people with a 'can do' attitude, who are prepared to be accountable for achieving the best possible outcomes. You will focus on residents and service users to ensure they receive the highest standards of provision.

You will need a relevant social work qualification and HCPC membership, good communication skills and excellent written skills.

In return, we can offer you working arrangements that will enhance your work-life balance and a generous holiday allowance of 31 days plus bank holidays.  

In addition, we offer a range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts at many leisure activities, restaurants, shops, and other establishments. A wide range of developmental opportunities is also offered.

If you would like to have an informal conversation about this opportunity please contact Louise Jones, Head of Children's Social Care Academy on 020 8871 7317 or louise.jones@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk or
Tina Baker, Training and Development Manager Children's Social Care, on 020 8871 7790 or tina.baker@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk

How do I apply?

Please complete all the sections of the application form including how you meet all the person specification requirements outlined in the job profile. We expect applications for these roles to be highly competitive so your application needs to be of the highest quality. You are welcome to provide any additional information to support your application. The information you give will be used to decide if you should be shortlisted for interview.

If you are having difficulty in applying online, please contact the Recruitment team on 020 8871 8825 or recruitment@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk to see if we can offer alternative arrangements for you to apply.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date:  Sunday 21 July 2019

Shortlisting Date: Week starting Monday 29 July 2019

Interview Date: Tuesday 06 & Thursday 08 August 2019

Useful Information:

Please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage and could be subject to change.

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

Important Information:

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children. It replaces the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils