We have vacancies for social workers at all levels. Whether you are just finishing your social work qualification and looking to start your ASYE year, or you are an experienced social worker looking to progress in your career, we would welcome an application from you.
Remarkable Social Workers work for Outstanding Leaders in Wakefield
Here are just some of the things you can expect when working for Wakefield Council:
Retention payments up to 2023 (subject to T&C) ? Attractive salary ? Manageable caseload ? Flexible working ? Small and Supportive Teams ? Permanent Service/Team managers ? Excellent Learning and Development opportunities
Here in Wakefield we are looking for qualified and experienced children’s Social Workers to join our teams across the District. Whether your passion is for assessment and longer-term work with children in the community, with children in care, or for taking the lead with initial referrals to the service within the Integrated Front Door, we have an opportunity to you. Located within the heart of Yorkshire, with direct access from the M1 and M62 motorways, Wakefield is easily accessible and a great place to work.
Ofsted inspectors recently acknowledged that in Wakefield children and young people are positioned ‘at the centre of all practice’, and we know that our staff are at the heart of realising this.
We recognise the challenges for social workers – both in the complexity of the role and with the additional impact of the national pandemic. We understand the importance of retaining connectivity and providing staff with the right support, tools, and skills so that they can thrive. In Wakefield you are provided with the space, resources and help to feel safe in carrying out your vital work with children and their families.
It’s this ethos that has allowed us to build ‘an environment where good and effective social work is flourishing’ and where staff ‘without exception’ are ‘very enthusiastic about working for Wakefield’ (OFSTED, November 2021).
What will be expected from you in Wakefield?
We are looking for people with a background in working with children and families as a qualified Social Worker. We place a particular importance on our relationships, and so we want to encourage people to join us who are equally skilled and passionate about their ability to drive change through their highly effective relationships with children and young people, families and colleagues. We are looking for only the best Social Workers – resilient, tenacious and highly effective, in every element of practice, from assessment, to planning and interventions. We value difference and embrace partnership working and are looking for people who share these ways of working.
What I might be doing?
Dependent on experience and specialism - as a qualified social worker with a range of experience and expertise – you will carry out the role and responsibilities of a key worker, for a caseload of either children in need of help and protection or children in care. Alternatively, if you were successful in a role within our Integrated Front Door, you would take the lead in exploring and determining the action needed in relation to initial referrals to children’s services.
Essential requirements:
What can I expect?
The “outstanding leadership” that OFSTED recently recognised in Wakefield, paired with our well-resourced innovative Learning Academy, will allow you to benefit from excellent support, training, and development. Ofsted found strength in our learning offer and noted Wakefield as being an authority that ‘excels as a learning organisation’. We have a simple and clear progression process, which will allow you to take the next steps in your career at the right time for you and supported by us, should you wish to join Wakefield.
Salary grade range
G9 (SCP28 – SCP31) £32,234 - £34,728 Plus a retention payment from £483.52 to £520.92 in 2022.
G10 (SCP 32-35) £35,745 - £38,890 Plus a retention payment from £536.17 to £583.35 in 2022.
A video, highlighting some of the key quotes and parts of the report, can also be viewed here.
You can read the report for yourself in full on the Ofsted website and our media release here.
For further information or a discussion please contact:
Louise Danks – Locality Service Manager – ldanks@wakefied.gov.uk or 07823 520956
Esther Beresford – Locality Service Manager eberesford@wakefield.gov.uk or 07944012877
Tracey Yates – Integrated Front Door Service manager- tyates@wakefield.gov.uk or 07342 092050
Jane Wood – Locality Service Manager – jewood@wakefield.gov.uk or 07920 331837
Kerry Seaston – Children in Care Service Manager – kseaston@wakefield.gov.uk or 01924 306139
Closing Date: 6th March 2022. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once sufficient suitable applications have been received.
This post is subject to the Fluency Duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016. The post-holder is required to demonstrate an appropriate level of fluency under the duty as detailed within the job specification for the post.
Click here to download job description Grade 10
Click here to download job description Grade 9
The successful applicant will be required to complete a Disclosure Application Form and to provide criminal conviction information.
Wakefield Council is wholly committed to ensuring children and vulnerable adults are fully supported and safe. We are dedicated to the safeguarding of all children and vulnerable adults whilst promoting their welfare. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this responsibility.
In accordance with the Council’s Probation Procedure this post is subject to a 6 month Probationary Period.
Want to find out more about Wakefield Council, click here