Social Workers, Family Safeguarding Team
Job specification
We’re making a real difference to the lives of the children and families we work with in Swindon.
Join us and be part of that difference.
About the role
We’re looking for a new Social Worker for our Family Safeguarding Team. You will be part of our transformation, contribute to improving the safeguarding of our children, and we will make sure you have the full support network and training to do it.
The service provides support via a new Family Safeguarding model that is a strength-based approach involving the use of motivational interviewing. Teams are also multi-disciplinary and include social workers, family support practitioners, and adult specialist workers. The adult specialist workers have a specific focus on supporting parents/carers experiencing complex issues of domestic abuse, mental health and substance misuse.
The teams within the service have monthly group supervision and undertake their recording in a workbook. Interventions are focused around a Family Programme which has seven modules – this enables us to work in a purposeful and transparent manner.
You’ll lead, support and develop incredible people who are working exceptionally hard to ensure that all our children can achieve their potential.
About us
There really has never been a more exciting time to join us.
We’re proud to be one of just a few local authorities in the country using the Family Safeguarding Model, bringing together one team of workers with a range of skills and knowledge to offer help and support to families around a wide range of problems.
Our Family Safeguarding Model teams include:
- Social workers – who work directly with families and support them to identify and make lasting changes for themselves that will improve their lives
- Domestic abuse workers –who work with people who have experienced or are experiencing domestic abuse to help them understand the impact on themselves and their children
- Recovery workers – who work with families when they want support with alcohol or drug issues
- Mental health workers – who support parents in understanding their thoughts and emotions and the impact their mental health challenges might be having on their children.
Together, our teams combine their knowledge and expertise to assess the needs of the whole family, providing services and support to meet those needs.
To find out more about the Family Safeguarding Model, please click here
We use motivational interviewing (MI) - a strengths-based conversational approach to counselling that encourages families to improve their children’s welfare by enhancing their motivation to change.
In a recent Peer Review by Hertfordshire Centre of Practice in July 2023, our Children’s Services was commended for our staff’s commitment to working through the Family Safeguarding Model and highlighted many examples of good practice which are resulting in good outcomes for children, including how we use motivational interviewing techniques and strengths-based language.
We’re looking for someone who is passionate and committed to making a real difference by embracing innovate ways of working with our partners and families and driving this model of working forward.
Our offer to you:
- Relocation allowance of up to £8,000 (eligibility criteria applies)
- Competitive salaries
- Free car parking at our central Swindon campus and easy commuter links to many locations
Please see our Rewards and Benefits offer for more details.
Our commitment to your development
We will help you grow and progress in your career and make sure that you can access training and learning opportunities linked to the BASW competencies for career progression.
We have an established Social Work & Leadership Academy that celebrates the best in professional practice in Social Work and Social Care Leadership.
The Academy is an opportunity for us to demonstrate how we support, develop and value the professional disciplines in social work and social care through a targeted framework of career development and learning opportunities.
Please see our Vision and Values page for more details.
Your next step
Read the role profile and select the Apply button where you will be redirected to the Swindon Borough Council website to complete our online application process. Clicking the ‘Apply’ button on this job website is not an application, you must register on the Swindon Borough Council website in order to be considered for the role.
For further information about the role please contact Debbie Owen, Service Manager at dowen@swindon.gov.uk
We will be interviewing successful candidates throughout the campaign and reserve the right to close early, therefore early applications are encouraged.
If you are experiencing technical issues submitting your application please email resourcing@swindon.gov.uk