“She listens to me. I don’t talk to people, but I can talk to her. She has helped me a lot.” Be the one who listens. Be the one they talk to when they need someone. At Swindon we’re looking for experienced and qualified social workers who are committed to doing the very best for our children. We’re a small borough with big ambitions. We need the very best people to join us and help us make the changes and improvements in our plan as our children deserve nothing less from us. We’ve got a lot of work to do to get to where we want to be, but we recognise that. We have an experienced new leadership team, strong political support and a clear plan to deliver the transformational change we want for our children, young people and families. And you could be just the person we need and they need. As a qualified and experienced social worker, you’ll be resilient, compassionate and relentlessly driven to deliver the outcomes our children and young people deserve. Our Family Safeguarding Model We’re proud to be one of a handful of 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 it has 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. 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. To find out more about the Family Safeguarding Model, please click here Our offer to you: You’ll get exceptional support from managers who will oversee your caseloads. You’ll work with first class colleagues and partners across Swindon and we’ll offer you flexibility and hybrid-working opportunities because we know how important work-life balance is. We also offer: ● Our salaries are competitive ● Relocation allowance of up to £8,000 (eligibility criteria applies) ● We offer flexible working and home working ● We offer great benefits, including a local government pension scheme ● 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. We’re delivering an ambitious transformation plan across our children’s service. We’re changing for the better. Come and be a part of it Your next step Read the role profiles and select the Apply button where you will be redirected to the Swindon Borough Council website to complete our online application process. We ask that you indicate within your application, which level of role you wish to be considered for. For an informal discussion and to learn more about the opportunities we have, please contact Debbie Owen, Service Manager at DOwenswindon.gov.uk and Rhiannon Thomas, Service Manager at RThomas1swindon.gov.uk If you are experiencing technical issues submitting your application please email resourcingswindon.gov.uk We will be interviewing successful candidates throughout the campaign and reserve the right to close early, therefore early applications are encouraged.