Newly Qualified Social Worker

At Bracknell Children’s Social Care we have a strong commitment to offering Newly QualifiedSocial Workers the best start in their social work career. You will benefit from being part of our inhouse ASYE programme which is overseen by our Academy Team Manager and Principal Social Worker. Our programme will provide you with strong support and the opportunities you need to grow and develop.

We are a small, welcoming and friendly Local Authority. Our leadership team knows that it is essential for Social Workers to have a secure physical and psychological base from which to be the best workers they can be. We are proud of our connected and inclusive culture, with a strong focus on wellbeing, which will provide you with a strong sense of belonging.

We are looking for enthusiastic, confident and reliable practitioners who can build trusted relationships with children and young people and provide stability and ambition during their time working with us.

Bracknell Forest Council have a nationally recognised practice model – the ‘Family Safeguarding Model’.

Working collaboratively with families to keep them together, where it is safe to do so, is at the heart of the embedded Family Safeguarding Model; an approach which is underpinned by Motivational Interviewing (MI). This ensures families, children and young people feel empowered, and enables parents to make the positive changes needed, to achieve improved outcomes for their children and their own wellbeing.

We are graded by Ofsted as “Outstanding”. In June 2022 Ofsted identified during our inspection that

“Children receive the right support at the right time”.

Inspectors conculded that Social Workers and other frontline practitioners benefit from manageable caseloads, good training and powerful and highly reflective supervision that ensures children are at the heart of decision making.

In November 2023 our Ofsted monitoring visit highlighted:

• Social workers receive regular supervision from their managers.
• Caseloads are manageable and allow workers to have time to spend with children.
• Social workers are very positive about working in Bracknell Forest

Everything we do in Children’s Social Care is about improving the life chances of Bracknell’s children, put simply, we change lives for the better.

Because we’re Bracknell Forest.

ASYE programme for Newly Quailfed Social Workers

We provide a structured standalone ASYE programme; during your first year in employment we will help you to develop your skills, knowledge and professional confidence to be the best Social Worker you can be.

Our programme is overseen by our Academy Team Manager and Principal Social Worker who strive to continuously improve the programme and the experience of our Newly QualifiedSocial Workers, we are ambitious and not afraid to be creative and innovative.

The support we offer Newly QualifiedSocial Workers during the ASYE programme includes:

• A structured academy and shadowing induction which will also include a buddy.
• Monthly reflective practice groups.
• Regular one to ones facilitated by our inhouse experienced humanistic counsellor.
• An inhouse Practice Educator Level 2 qualified assessor.
• An experienced Worked Based Supervisor.
• Regular reflective supervision, personal and group supervision.
• Using collaborative conversations to allocate work.
• A supported and steady transition to child protection work.
• Personalised professional development plans.
• Time for protected development activity.
• Full access to our Research in Practice and Making Research Count membership.

During our recent Skills for Care Quality Assurance visit our Newly QualifiedSocial Workers shared their experience of:

• Receiving regular reflective supervision
• An appreciation of the training and learning opportunities offered to them.
• Feeling well supported by their team.
• Helpful professional development plans which identify goals and the trajectory they needed to follow to achieve them.

You will be supported to carry out the following duties, responsibilities and training…

• Build and maintain effective relationships with children and families.
• Provide evidence-based support that has a positive impact on the lives of children and families.
• Carry out assessments to identify needs and risks.
• Develop care plans that promote the well-being and safety of children and families.
• Work with other Social Workers, professionals and multi-agency teams.
• Seek support and advice from colleagues and with your supervisor set clear goals and actions plans as part of individual and group case supervision.
• Stay up to date with legislation and statutory guidance to inform your practice.

The benefits you will experience are…

• An inclusive and social working environment
• Generous holiday annual leave entitlement
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Internal sports and social club opportunities with discounted leisure centre and gym membership
• Supermarket discount
• A great office location next to the regenerated town centre (Lexicon)
• Opportunities for flexible and agile working
• Reimbursement for Social Work England registration fees

What we’re looking for…

The children and young people we work with have told us they want Social Workers to:

• be friendly, fun and energetic;
• listen respectfully, take action and stick to deadlines;
• keep promises, be accessible and on time

We promote relationship based practice and more time with children and families so if you have chosen social work as a profession and are passionate about making a difference and improving outcomes for children and young then join us to contribute to a service that works with families to enable lasting change for children.

Interview date

Closing date Friday 3rd May.

In person Interview date: Wednesday 15th May.

Want to ask us a question?

For an informal discussion or to ask any questions about this role. Please contact:

Helen Gore- Principal Social Worker helen.gore@bracknell-forest.gov.uk or

Julia Mackenzie -Academy Team Manager Julia.mackenzie@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

At Bracknell Forest we champion equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or age. As a Disability Confident Employer, please let us know if you need any adjustments at any point during the recruitment process by contacting our friendly recruitment team on recruitment@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

We will be reviewing applications regularly and reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified. To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible.

Bracknell Forest Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. We expect everyone employed with us to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to a DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check as part of our pre-employment checks process.

Social Work England registration fees can be claimed back from the Council.

We can only accept applications from candidates currently residing in the UK.

Any candidates that are currently residing in the UK and wishing to apply who would require sponsorship can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for the role by assessing their circumstances against the relevant criteria.

No agencies please.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £40,838.00-£43,070.00 per hour

Expected hours: 37 per week

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Casual dress
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee discount
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Free flu jabs
• Gym membership
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Private dental insurance
• Sick pay
• Store discount
• Transport links

Work Location: In person

Reference ID: People/24/276765