Social Work Assistant

Senior Social Work Assistant

Listening to the child is at the heart of our approach. We support them on their own personal journey and are looking for a Senior Social Work Assistant who is passionate about children remaining in their families.

Responsibilities

• Undertake home visits, including urgent visits for safeguarding concerns or families requiring immediate support.
• Provide practical support for transporting children and belongings to prevent placement breakdown and to facilitate contact with family members.
• Transport carers to training, events, or important meetings.
• Support carers in accessing and progressing their training, both online and face‑to‑face.
• Supervise social workers and deliver training to carers.
• Assist in setting up and managing carer support groups.
• Help carers complete referrals and application forms for additional services, such as alternative accommodation from the housing department.
• Offer guidance to carers on parenting and behaviour management.
• Use strong communication skills to mediate between carers and children, manage relationship breakdowns, and facilitate family meetings to create support plans.
• Provide practical assistance at home, such as decluttering or budgeting support.
• Undertake direct work with children to support them in their placement.

Qualifications

• Experience and background in direct work with vulnerable children, young people and their families in a children’s or family placement setting.
• Knowledge and understanding of children’s legislation and fostering issues, including the needs of children with a history of trauma and complex needs.
• Strong relationship‑building skills with children, carers, and a range of professionals.
• Effective communication, report writing and strong administrative and IT skills.
• Organisational and time‑management abilities with a flexible, proactive and creative approach.

Location & Working Hours

This hybrid role is based in Birmingham. Applicants must reside within a suitable commutable distance around Birmingham and possess the correct right‑to‑work documents to work in the UK. Sponsorship is not supported.

Safeguarding

Depending on the role, the appropriate level of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required. We are committed to the fair treatment of all applicants, including those with criminal records, provided the nature of the offence does not preclude suitability for the role.

Benefits

• 30 days annual leave (increasing to 33 days after 5 years and 35 days after 10 years of service), plus bank holidays.
• Free on‑site parking at our offices on One Avenue Road (Aston) and Lifford House (Stirchley).
• On‑site electric car charging ports available free of charge.
• Access to an extensive internal employee benefits scheme, including Occupational Health services, Rewards Schemes, Benefits discounts (including the Blue Light Card), Health & Fitness, and Personal Wellbeing support.
• Flexible and hybrid working policy with a combination of office and home work.
• Generous local government career average pension scheme.
• Supportive environment with tailored development programs, supervision and a range of learning opportunities.

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