About The Service

Are you a Social Work Student in your last year of university?

Cardiff Council’s Childrens services are offering a unique opportunity to immediately secure a permanent Social Worker position ready for when you qualify next year.

All you need to do is put in an application; we will guarantee you an interview in the next few weeks, we can even provide help and guidance with your application and interview preparation all you need to do is get in touch.

Just this year Cardiff have welcomed 19 newly qualified Social Workers into our growing teams.

That’s not all, we also offer the opportunity for you to join us as a Social Work Assistant after you have finished your final placement whilst you wait for your qualification to come through, why wait, apply now!

All newly qualified social workers need to complete the first three years in practice program as set out by Social Care Wales. This is mandatory in order to remain a registered social worker.

In Cardiff we have developed an innovative program which will provide you with a mentor (outside of your team of work) who will support you to identify, develop and meet your ongoing training needs and ensure that you are ready to progress to the next step- which is the university-based consolidation course.

Cardiff is the only local authority in South Wales to provide independent practice assessors to assist your progression through this, and to ensure that you receive the support you need to successfully complete this stage of your social work career.

We have a comprehensive training program which will allow you to access all of the mandatory training along with regular support groups to ensure you have contact with other newly qualified workers!

Cardiff benefits from being the capital of Wales and is a growing city with a diverse population. The children of Cardiff need social workers who can respond to the diversity of needs and experiences which in turn offers social workers the opportunity to develop expertise and to lead practice within Wales.

Cardiff offers the opportunity to grow and develop through high quality training, regular and effective supervision, and a wide variety of opportunities to pursue career development, for example just this year we have 10 internal employee’s progress to a higher positions within our Social Work teams.

We have resigned our services to follow the child’s journey and created locality teams that enable workers to link closely with communities and local services. There is a healthy culture of learning, support and family across our amazing social work teams.

About the job

This is an exciting opportunity to join the service which puts the individual at the heart of our work. The teams work from a strengths-based (Signs of Safety) approach to meet the needs of young people and their families. We have a diverse variety of casework, individual, dedicated and regular senior management support alongside progression opportunities for the successful candidates.

Cardiff is one of the fastest growing cities in Britain and is the first city in the UK to be declared as a UNICEF Child Friendly City that places the rights of children and young people at the head of our policies and strategies.

Parents have the most significant influence on children and on their future lives. It is our belief that outcomes for children are best when they are supported to grow and achieve within their own families. This belief has driven the ‘Think Family’ approach which looks at the family as a whole and co-ordinates support across the public services, tailored to each family’s needs and strengths.

If you are interested in being part of Cardiff’s journey to becoming one of the most vibrant and successful cities within the UK that puts Children first with the ambition of being a lead force behind practice development in Wales, we would be excited to hear from you.

Benefits offered

Cardiff is frequently found at the top of lists of best cities in the UK to live in so come join us and see what we can offer.

A generous annual leave entitlement starting at 28 days per year to a maximum of 33 days per year after 5 years, with the option to purchase additional annual leave to a maximum of 10 days.

Our working culture is flexible, with a flexi scheme allowing you to work to a schedule that suits you

Hybrid working – supporting you to flexibly deliver your role whether on visits, from an office or your home

Access to the Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Pension Fund, which is part of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), offering a reputable, secure and flexible pension plan for peace of mind.

With effect from 1st April 2023, these roles attract a market supplement of £5,000 (full time equivalent). (£37,020– £41,298). This payment is reviewed on a 12 monthly basis.

This is just some of what Cardiff has to offer, take a look at our Social Work website for more information about all our benefits and hear from some of our social workers, talking about why Cardiff is the place to be.

Home - Social Work Cardiff : Social Work Cardiff

What We Are Looking For From You

We can offer permanent positions in the following teams:

Locality - Cardiff Safeguarding and Children looked after teams are now based in 3 localities across the city at St Mellons in the East, Fairwater in the North and Cardiff Bay in the South enabling staff to be based within the communities that they serve. Within the team's geographical area, you will support children and young people through robust assessment, outcome focused planning and effective intervention to support them in achieving positive outcomes within their families and communities. Working within a restorative practice approach, you will work in partnership with families and multi-agency colleagues in intervening to address both the presenting concerns and underlying difficulties.

Intake and Assessment – Intake and Assessment is a fast paced and exciting team, due to Cardiff’s demography the work is diverse and progressive. Practitioners undertake Well-being and S47 assessments and provide short term interventions to support families to increase safety within the home. Practitioners hold cases for a short period of time; long term work is generally transferred at the first planning meeting. The Teams are on a duty rota for one week in every three, meaning you have the opportunity to plan and record your work in a structured and organised way. Workers may also be involved in care and private law proceedings. Cardiff Intake and Assessment Teams are established with experienced staff who support each other during challenging times. Cardiff work creatively under the Signs of Safety model for the best possible outcomes for families. All employees are valued by Cardiff Council; training opportunities are available to everyone to ensure continued professional development.

We are looking for Social Work Students in their final year of University.

You will be able to show you have excellent skills in assessment and the ability to write concise records and reports.

You will be a good team player, have excellent communication, organisation skills and IT skills.

If you are interested in any of our roles, would like an informal discussion with one of our manager’s or have any other questions please don’t hesitate to contact: Laura.White3@cardiff.gov.uk

Please refer to job description and person specification when applying for the above posts.

Additional information

With effect from the 1st April 2024 this post attracts a market supplement of £5000 full time equivalent.

This payment is reviewed on a 12 monthly basis.

This post has a requirement for registration with Social Care Wales.

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced check.

Safeguarding and Child Protection are key priorities for the Council. We aim to support children and vulnerable adults to ensure they are as safe as they can possibly be. Our services and schools are committed to ensuring the safety and protection of all children and vulnerable adults, and will take action to safeguard their well-being, and acknowledge that children and vulnerable adults have a right to protection. This is supported in the general ethos of the Council and all schools.

This vacancy is suitable for post share.

We welcome applications in both English and Welsh. Applications received in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than English applications.

Due to the current interim working arrangements, we are unable to provide recruitment packs or accept application forms via the post.

Please note the Council does not accept CV’s. When completing the supporting information section of your application, please ensure you refer to the below located on our website:

Important information you need read in order to complete your application:-

Application Guidance

Applying for jobs with us

Behavioural Competency Framework

Additional Information:-

Employee Charter

Recruitment of Ex-Offenders

Privacy Notice

Job Reference: PEO04169

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