Interview for disabled children's team

Hi, I only just qualified in June 2011 and since then I have been working in an adult learning disability team. This is the team where I did my final placement and is the only statutory social work experience I have. Anyway I have an interview to work in disabled children's team and was wondering if anyone had any advice/tips. All advice welcome!! Thanks :-)

Hi Dropsofjupiter,

Congratulations on the interview. Like you I qualified in June and am in an adult learning disability team. I had previously interviewed  for a post in children with disabilities and was asked about educational and health outcomes for children and disabilities, discrimination and Every Child Matters. I was also asked a number of general sw questions such as give an example of good team working and give an example of work I was proud of. I wonder if they might ask about any differences between adult and child disability social work?

I am thinking of looking for another post after about twelve months into children with disability or mental health so am wondering if it's seen as ok by managers to move on after a year?

Hi coolforcatz,

thanks for the info.  naturally i was going to look at the legislation side of things but of course outcomes of support are of course really important so thanks for the tip! 

I dont really know how managers view a move so soon, in my case I dont really have a choice as my contract in ALD is temporary until early next year.   to be honest though I think that its good to try and get experience in more than one team, particularly with cuts to adult social care its useful to have experience in childrens too. I expect it will its also useful to be aware of both sides if you are involved in transition cases. 

How are you finding it in ALD? what placements did you have, did you feel prepared for it?

I am a Team Manager for Disabled Children and Young Adults, feel free to ask any specific questions and I'll help where I can.

I've been in a Children with Disabilities Team for over 2 years now since qualifiying.

Social model of Disability - If you aren't asked about it directly, make sure you do everything you can to ensure your interviewer know that you know it inside out.

Equalities Act 2010 - Quite a big one as it has moved the DDA on a fair bit. Shows them you're up to date with your knowledge of legisaltion

Children and Young Persons/Peoples Act 2008 - Quite a bit in there about short breaks, service statements etc. Also significantly changed the manner in which a disabled young person can receive an overnight short break in respect of the legal framework for this

Communication - Got any wider communciation skils? Creative skills? These are the kind of things that set you apart from a stat-team SW.

There a few other things but these are fundamental. I'm sure others will add bits, and I will too if I think of anything else

Hello,

I have an interview next week for a Child Disability Team, are there any tips you can offer as to what you would be looking for from a newly qualified social worker? I have only done adult placements two of which were adults with learning disabilities.

Also is the assessment process the same as children services in terms of referrals to the assessment team first initial assessment and core assessment using the Framework for assessment of children in need and their families? Under S.17 of the Children Act 1989 a disabled child is a child in need, so is there eligibility in terms of a duty to provide services?

Sorry for all the questions, I am really nervous.

Thanks

Kirstie :)

Assessment framework is pretty much the same, although some authorities like where I work go straight to core assessment.

 

Things you need to read up on:

Short breaks duty

Core offer

SEN and disability green paper, especially the move towards services for 0 - 25 for disabled children rather than the usual 0 - 18

Also look at legislation for carers and make sure you brush up on some of the adults stuff like mental capacity act, deprivation of liberties, community care act as the transition stage is key and a lot of these can be done from 16+.

Be sure to talk about personalisation as this is a key government driver at present.

 

Good luck.

The assessment framework is pretty much the same, but some authorities like where I work go straight to core assessment for disabled children.

Key things to read up on:

SEN and disability green paper, especially the move towards services for disabled children being 0 - 25 instead of 0 - 18.

Short breaks duty

Core offer

Carer's legislation

Also be sure to read up on some of the adults legislation, as the transition points are key and some things can be applied from 16:

Mental capacity act

Deprivation of liberties

Court of protection

Self assessment/support plans/personal budgets

Talk about personalisation in childrens as well as the government are pushing towards this. Also be sure to talk about participation.

Good luck.

Sorry, posted twice, thought the first one hadn't gone through because I didn't realise they had to wait approval. Added a bit more in the second one anyway :)