Social Worker – Children & Families Service

Join us in Hackney for your next career move and start afresh in 2025. We work to achieve the best outcomes for every child in the borough. Our Systemic, Trauma-Informed and Anti-Racist (STAR) practice model informs everything we do.

Our priority is to provide the highest quality support and care for Hackney’s children and families, providing the right support at the right time. We are rated Good by Ofsted and are continually seeking to improve our services and set this out in our Action Plan.

We are an innovative borough where we collaborate to support change for the children and families we work for and for each other. In partnership with families, carers and our partners, we run an integrated service for children, young people and their families, which is made up of six service areas: Early Help and Prevention; Assessment and Planning; Child Protection and Child in Need; Corporate Parenting; Safeguarding and Quality Assurance; and Business Systems and Operations.

So, why don’t you find yourself in Hackney?

Join our drop in event

We invite you to join us for an informal conversation on Tuesday 22 October. 6pm- 7pm and meet with our Director and senior managers. Book your free place on Eventbrite.

If you are unable to attend the online drop in and would like to speak to a manager to discuss this opportunity, please contact CFS.recruitment@hackney.gov.uk

Our Offer To You

– Our Practice Academy will offer Systemic, Trauma-Informed and Anti-Racist training, reflective spaces, joint work with clinicians and a career framework. We have clinicians working alongside practitioners to embed STAR and are developing a tailored wellbeing offer to maximise the support to staff.

– Dedicated Race Equality and Inclusion leadership within the council working to embed active anti-racist practice and support staff’s anti-racism journey.

– Monthly group supervision for collaboration and support when things feel stuck.

– Flexible working options including family friendly leave for parents and dependency leave for carers

In addition to the above you will have access to a range of council-wide benefits:

– Generous holiday allowance – 27 days per year, rising to 32 days after five years

– Unrivalled pension scheme

– Flexible working options including part-time options

– Family-friendly policies

– A range of discounts, including subsidised gym membership and local eating

– Access to financial and season ticket loans

– Health and wellbeing benefits, such as lunchtime fitness classes

– A comprehensive training and development offer

– We are a member of Cycle Scheme and offer free pool bikes

Read more about our services and offer to employees on the Hackney Council website.

About You

We are looking for experienced and ambitious Senior Social Workers, as well as newly qualified Social Workers, who are striving to achieve the best possible outcomes for our Hackney children and young people, and their families.

What you will be doing

We have Social Work vacancies across our service areas,to find out more about the teams within Children and Families services, click on this link to find out more.

The Process

The recruitment process is anonymous. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CVs.

When applying, there will be a number of questions relating to the post on the application form. It is essential that you complete the application questions, responding to each using examples of your skills, knowledge and experience.

This application process replaces a supporting statement.

We will not accept applications where Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been used to assist with completing the competency questions or any part of the application form.

Closing date for applications: 03 November 2024 (22:59)

Assessment date: 22 November 2024 – As part of the recruitment and selection process, shortlisted applicants will be required to complete a pre interview assessment

Interview dates: 10, 11 and 12 December 2024

We are working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk