Social Work Assistant

**Andy File Associates Limited is working as a Recruitment Agency on behalf of our client with regards this permanent position.**

Since 1995, our client has been working to improve lives and reduce disadvantage in coal mining communities. Their services make a real difference to people’s lives. Their focus is on providing for former mineworkers and their families most in need through their personal welfare service, helping people with practical and emotional support, benefits advice, advice about coping with ill-health and immobility and providing access to financial support. They also work to secure the future of recreational facilities in former coal mining communities and work with local mining charities to ensure their services continue.

As a Social Work Assistant, your role is pivotal in providing high-quality, community-based advice and support services to former miners and their dependents who may be facing health issues, disability, financial challenges, or emotional distress. Working within former mining communities, you'll predominantly deliver services on an individual basis in clients' homes and occasionally through group work in community venues.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Conduct high-quality assessments of service users' and carers' needs following CISWO policies and procedures.
- Provide a range of interventions, including welfare benefits advice, advocacy, emotional support, and practical guidance, based on assessed client needs.
- Gather, analyze, and record information related to service user assessments.
- Collaborate with various agencies to establish networks of support to address client needs.
- Utilize basic counseling skills and offer a professional supportive response to individual distress.
- Possess a strong understanding of welfare benefits and associated legislation to assist with income maximization for individuals.
- Ensure that referrals are actioned in accordance with CISWO policies and that priorities for assessment and intervention are effectively met.
- Accurately record work undertaken in the organization's database for analysis.
- Provide well-written information and comprehensive reports in line with GDPR guidelines for internal and external communication.
- Promote a positive approach towards CISWO among service users and other professional agencies and partner organizations.
- Work efficiently and flexibly within a team, offering support, cooperation, and feedback to and from colleagues.
- Attend and actively participate in internal meetings.
- Take responsibility for learning and professional development, aligning with changing organizational needs and requirements.
- Participate in local and national training and development opportunities in cooperation with colleagues.
- Initiate and participate in changing work practices to ensure effective coordination of services and communications.
- Undertake any other duties considered appropriate and necessary for the post and service delivery.

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience:
Essential:

- Experience in a social work or social care environment.
- Experience in providing welfare benefits advice.
- Experience in conducting professional assessments, planning, and providing interventions for service users.
- Experience in working with older people and/or individuals with disabilities in a community setting.
- Experience in collaborative work with other agencies and professionals.
- Excellent knowledge of social care legislation and welfare benefits.
- Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Driving license with access to own transport.
- Strong IT skills, including experience with databases and Microsoft packages.
- Good organizational skills.
- Good educational background, with a minimum of Grade C in Maths and English at GCSE.
- Ability to prepare reports for both internal and external audiences.
- Ability to empathize with service users.

Desirable:

- Experience with Welfare Benefit Appeals.
- Knowledge of issues facing former mining communities.
- Experience working in the charity sector.
- Social Work Qualification.

To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and qualifications.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

**Salary**: £27,107.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Company pension
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Enhanced paternity leave
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Private dental insurance
- Private medical insurance

Schedule:

- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person