Work in Social Care
Working for Children's Services
Working in children’s services in Pembrokeshire means working within a service that has the key value of respect as its golden thread through all of its practice. In all that we do with children and families, we aim to demonstrate respect by listening, consulting, involving and explaining.
We are a department that takes opportunities to learn and improve how we deliver our services, so that we are always striving to do our best for children and families. We aim to be a department that is focussed on strengths and solutions, whilst ensuring families are supported and children are protected. Our staff work to build relationships with families and children as we recognise this is the best way to get good social care done: by placing the person at the centre. And to this end we operate the Signs of Safety approach across our entire operations. We have strong and effective relationships with other agencies which allows us to work collaboratively in the interests of the people of Pembrokeshire. And our internal relationships mean we have a progressive approach to corporate parenting.
Working for Pembrokeshire will mean you have access to online self-directed and directly delivered training resources, along with a well-established system for developing our unqualified staff into the social work profession. Our senior management team is visible, progressive and accessible and you will be provided with the support of an experienced manager.
Pembrokeshire as a county has a lot to be proud of and its Children’s Services department aims to become a department that others turn to for example and inspiration.
Join us and become proud of who you work for.
Darren Mutter, Head of Children’s Services
Tony Mezzetta, Service Manager - Pembrokeshire Children's Services
Working for Adult Services
Working in Adult services in Pembrokeshire will give you the opportunity to develop and grow as a professional in a supportive, forward thinking & creative environment. With a wide variety of roles and opportunities that offer career progression, you can join a team that carers about its staff and is proud to serve the people of Pembrokeshire to the very best of our abilities.
A key theme of all our work is to look at people’s strengths and to value people that we work with and those we work for. We are a department that takes opportunities to learn and improve how we deliver our services, so that we are always striving to do our best for community.
We aim to be a department that is focussed on strengths and solutions, with a strong emphasis on community and creating connections for all. We operate the Signs of Safety approach across our services in order to focus on strengths, assure safety, and to ensure we hear the voice of the individual. We have strong and effective relationships with other agencies which allows us to work collaboratively in the interests of the people of Pembrokeshire.
Working for Pembrokeshire will mean you have access to online self-directed and directly delivered training resources, along with a well-established system for career progression, which can include funding to undertake social work training, management training and a range of other activities. Our senior management team is visible, progressive and accessible and you will be provided with the support of an experienced manager.
Pembrokeshire as a county has a lot to be proud of and its Adult Services department aspires to become a department that others turn to for example and inspiration.
If you want to make a real difference to people’s lives why not join us, be proud of yourself, what you do and who you work for.
Paul Regimbal, Senior Social Worker - Team Around the Family
Why choose us
Pembrokeshire is a unique and beautiful county situated on the south west coast of Wales. Besides the 124,000 people who live and work here we also welcome around 2.3 million staying visitors each year. Here at Pembrokeshire County Council we are totally committed to delivering high quality services and value to our customers.
There is more to Pembrokeshire than the stunning scenery and world renowned coast path: we have a vibrant music and arts scene, plenty of opportunities to pursue water and land based activities, maybe explore charming villages and interesting towns or discover the amazing history and culture of the area.
Our aim is to ensure that Pembrokeshire is prosperous and that it remains vibrant and special.
Our teams are focussed on seeking continuous improvement in the quality of care and support and on protecting the most vulnerable children, young people and adults in our county we are proud of our achievements.
We are committed to ensuring that our people are fully supported and developed to fulfil their responsibilities, achieving the best outcomes for those in our care.
We are guided in our work by UK and Welsh legislation, including the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 and the Welsh Language Act 1993.
Our supportive management team is committed to a culture of openness and transparency, and our strengths-based approach to Appreciative Supervision, which puts you at the centre of your supervision, has been commended by BASW. This supportive working structure ensures you have all you need to perform to the best of your abilities, whilst doing a job you love.
Because our people are at the heart of what we do, we want you to have access to the best development opportunities. Please see our Learning and Development section for more details.
Together we are committed to finding new and pioneering ways to transform practice and we are proud to have received a number of prestigious national awards.
Reasons to join us:
- Your daily commute can become a pleasure with quiet roads, scenic driving and few traffic jams
- Great work/life balance - how about stopping off at the beach on your way home?
- Housing is still relatively affordable
- We have great connectivity
- One of the lowest crime rates in the UK - we are recognised as one of the safest places to live and work
- We have both English and Welsh medium schools and a Further Education College
All this together with flexible working, generous holiday and benefits (including a relocation) helps create a great all-round package.
From comprehensive induction plans, considered training and coaching strategies to flexible working and a great work-life balance, when it comes to taking care of our employees we are proud of what we can offer:
- Generous relocation package up to £8,000 for eligible roles.
- Supportive management team and manageable caseloads.
- Flexible working.
- Membership of the Local Government ‘career average' defined benefit pension scheme.
- Generous annual leave of up to 31 days.
- Pioneering new ways of working helping to shape and influence practice within the workforce. ???
- Flexible career development opportunities.
- A wide range of health and wellbeing resources, including a professional in-house occupational health service and access to counselling services.
- A generous occupational maternity pay plan, on top of statutory benefits.
- Opportunity to learn Welsh
- Other family-friendly policies including:
- Cycle to work scheme
- Car lease scheme
- Range of discounts from local retailers and suppliers
We understand career paths are not always linear journeys, which is why we will do our best to provide diverse work opportunities and support you moving between roles and across teams to pursue your interests.
Our work is changing lives. If you share our passion for making a difference to adults, children, young people and families, have a look at our Social Care vacancies. We will be delighted if you will join us.
For more information please email us.
Good practice and achievements
Social Care will always be challenging, but our work makes a positive difference to the lives of the people we support, and we are proud of our achievements. Our senior management team is creating a culture of appreciation and openness to change thinking and transform practice. We are setting the standard as leaders in the implementation of the Signs of Safety model across both Adult and Children’s services, and have received a number of prestigious national accolades celebrating innovative practice in categories such as ‘Excellent Teamwork’ and ‘Inspirational Employer’ for initiatives which include our new strengths-based approach to Appreciative Supervision. By continuing to look for new and pioneering ways to enhance our practice we have the power to change lives. We need people with the passion and ability to make that change happen – that is why we need people like you. Join Us.
Learning and Development
Our people are at the heart of what we do. Without them progress wouldn’t be possible, which is why it is important for us to invest in your future. We want to make sure that you to have access to the best support and development opportunities, giving you the tools, knowledge and confidence that you need for your chosen path.
We understand that good supervision is essential to effective practice, personal development and wellbeing. Our strengths-based approach to Appreciative Supervision has been commended by BASW Cymru for innovative practice and puts you at the centre of your supervision so that you feel safe, trusted and valued.
We will support your Post Registration Training & Development with extensive range of training, learning and support, including the AMHP Programme, Practice Educator Award, specialist one to one and group training, coaching and leadership & management programmes.
And, if you are passionate about supporting the next generation of Social Workers, there are opportunities to support social work students in their practice placements, or to mentor newly qualified social workers (NQSWs) in their first year in practice. Read on to hear more about the learning and development opportunities we can offer.
Induction
The importance of a good induction cannot be under-estimated and we all have a part to play in supporting the newest members of our team. Our comprehensive welcome process for Social Services employees has 3 phases to make sure that you are warmly welcomed with a well-structured, carefully planned induction experience that responds to your individual needs so that you feel confident and valued in your new role.
Post Registration Training & Learning (PRTL)
We offer an extensive range of learning and development support, including coaching and specialist one to one and group training. Applications for specialist training and qualification opportunities are considered and awarded via our qualifications panel, a fair and transparent process designed to promote equality, encourage people to continue their personal and professional development and recognise and develop talent.
Support for Newly Qualified Social Workers
Our newly qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) benefit from a comprehensive model of support in your first three years in professional practice. Our First Three Years in Practice Framework includes a tailored induction, quality supervision, effective mentoring and opportunity for continuing professional development to help you to make the smooth transition from student to confident and competent practitioner.
Mentor a NQSW
Are you an experienced Social Worker with a desire to develop your practice and consolidate your knowledge in a rewarding role? We offer experienced Social Workers the opportunity to take on a mentoring role for NQSWs, with dedicated in-house mentoring skills training and regular peer group support.
Practice Educator - Train the next generation
Frontline social care is just one element of our work. We are also committed to training the next generation of social workers. In partnership with top universities, we provide a number of student placements in a range of settings across Adults and Children’s Services each year.
Practice Educators provide the foundations and experience students need to become effective and confident social workers. It’s incredibly rewarding for our Practice Educators too, helping them to reflect and refine their own methods and ways of working.
Social workers with 3 years post-qualifying experience or more can apply to study for the Practice Educator Award and begin the journey towards shaping our social workers of the future.
Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP)Programme
Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs) need to be able to think on their feet and remain calm and level headed while working with people in acute mental distress at a time of crisis. We can offer social workers with these qualities an opportunity to apply for funding and support to study for the AMHP postgraduate certificate. Read on to find out more the AMHP role.
Management and Leadership programmes
We fully encourage our aspiring leaders to develop their management and leadership skills. Our programmes include the Corporate Leadership and Management Development Framework, Middle Manager Development Programme (MMDP) and Team Manager Development Programme (TMDP).
Welsh language
For those keen to learn a new language, there are a number of ways in which we can support you to learn Welsh.
Your Health and Wellbeing
While we expect you to do the best for those people in your care, we understand how challenging working in Social Care can be. That is why we offer a wide range of one to one and online training and resources to support your health and wellbeing, including a professional in-house occupational health service and access to counselling services, but it doesn’t stop there. We are continually seeking new health and wellbeing initiatives to make sure that you feel valued and cared for in your role.
And finally…
We understand career paths are not always linear journeys, which is why we will do our best to provide diverse work opportunities and support you moving between roles and across teams to pursue your interests.
Our work is changing lives. If you share our passion for making a difference to adults, children, young people and families, have a look at our Social Care vacancies. We would be delighted if you would join us.
Meet our Teams
Our supportive senior management team is committed to a culture of openness and transparency with an open door policy. With respect as one of our key values, we welcome new ideas and encourage challenge to continuously improve our thinking and practice
Pembrokeshire is a large, predominantly rural county and we have a wide range of specialist teams ready to respond to the diverse challenges that this brings. With a supportive working structure and the support of an experienced manager, we want to ensure that you have all you need to grow as a professional and perform to the best of your ability whilst doing a job you love in a forward thinking and creative environment.
We have strong and effective relationships with other agencies, which allows us to work collaboratively in the interests of the people of Pembrokeshire and we have great working relationships between our own teams as well, to ensure effective and cohesive working.
Our social work teams are made up of a diverse range of people, and the shared ambition and drive to make a difference to the lives of children, young people and families in our community unites us all. Whether Pembrokeshire born-and-bred, a seasonal visitor or completely new to our special county, you are assured a warm welcome.
Welcome
If you want to make a real difference to peoples’ lives through delivering great quality social care, then look no further than Pembrokeshire County Council. We are committed to continuous improvement across our adult’s and children’s services teams and have fostered a culture of appreciation and openness to change thinking and transform practice.
In many ways, we are setting new standards, and are committed to achieving a diverse and dynamic working environment. We’re proud to be the only Local Authority in Wales with disability confident employer status.
Delivering Social Care will always be challenging, but our can-do attitude in the Authority helps us to think and act differently about how we can best do what matters for children and adults across the County. Embracing digital, and working in partnership with our colleagues in health and the voluntary and community sector, we are committed to harnessing shared resources to deliver the best we can for the people of Pembrokeshire.
I joined Pembrokeshire because I was excited to build upon the innovative work already taking place. With a young family, I was also motivated by the prospect of living and working in such a unique and beautiful County.
If you want to find out more about starting or developing your social care career in Pembrokeshire, please get in touch for a chat.