What are the classic questions social workers are always asked during job interviews, after they've asked you to "say a little bit about yourself"?

Hi

I had a successful interview at the beginning of May 08 and I can only remember a few of the questions and answers I gave. Must have had a memory blank

Q - What skills do you have to make you an effective social worker?

A - I mentioned good communication (both written and orally), good organisational skills (gave examples), an ability to critically reflect my practice and good interpersonal skills in engaging with professionals and service users and the maturity not to personalise issues of conflict.

Q - What is the relevant of a good assessment?

A - I mentioned the Framework of Assessment of Children in Need and Their Families/the CAF (EveryChild Matters) is the way of holistically and collaboratively working in identifying early on issues/problems and working towards good outcomes (heavily discuss the merits of joined working!!)

Q - Why do we need supervision?

A - I mentioned:

     a) to ensure the Manager is kept up to date on all allocated cases, decisions, and outcomes.

     b) To ensure I have support and guidance in dealing with stressfull cases and situations

     c) to be given the time to reflect on case work and decisions

Q - What is the importance of recording?

A - I mentioned the need for recordings to up to date, concise and relevant (I think I used the word VITAL a bit too much here lol). This is needed to evidence work, decisions, to be able to share info with other agencies ect. I also mentioned about if the service user ever wants to look at relevant pieces of her file (no 3rd party stuff)...IT IS vital (again!!!) that all information is documented.

Q - What is the importance of working together?

A - I briefly mentioned the failings of Victoria Climbie. I mentioned sect. 11 of The Children Act 2004. I mentioned be able to work within differing models of work, cultures and boundaries. I mentioned the principle of Integrated working (Every Child Matters).

I was asked 9 questions in total (I can't remember any more), gave a presentation on how to effectively communicate with young people and wrote a piece on how I will work towards the 5 outcomes of Every Child Matters.

Thanks god I got the job...wouldn't want to go through all that again!!!

 Sue B

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 Every interview I've been asked to explain how I implement anti-oppressive practice and to give examples from my work of working towards this. 

I have always been asked to tell about a price of work that I am proud of; How do I deal with stress?; and what is the value of supervision?

 Sue B,

 your a star, im going to 'borrow' some of your answers if you dont mind.

 Thanks.

Hi Slow_mo

I find that it's best to give a working example, it shows the panel you understand the questions.

Another question I was asked, which has already been mentioned was:

Q. Can you give a working example of the anti oppressive framework?

A. I discussed a case I was working on with an Unnaccompanied Asylum Seeking Child. I mentioned the principles (challenging inequality, discrimination and disadvantage) vulnerability, and how I have found difficulties in working with Home Office Legislation that doesn't always fit with Children's legislation. I mentioned specific issues like not having parental consent to interview the young person.

To address this I mentioned working in a person centred way, recognising diversity (I gave an example of how colleagues and I researched issues within Iraq and finding there were a number of different languages spoken there) and differing tribes and working with GSCCcodes of Practice to ensure his needs and rights were met. I also mentioned working holistically and finding a kurdish community for the young person to tap into resources.

I spoke for ages on this question but an interview becomes a bit of a blur afterwards lol.

Good luck with your interview!!

Sue B

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well thanks for all your words of wisdom.

 I only got asked 5 questions.

One was on a scenario they gave me to read.

2nd on Importance of Supervsion

3rd on Equality and Diversity and how i would promote this with staff and service users.

4th was "What skills do you need to have to make a good social worker?"

5th was What therories would i take into role

Slow_mo

 When do you find out if you've been successful slow_mo?

simeon2:

 When do you find out if you've been successful slow_mo?

 Well i forget to ask, doh! 

There interviewing for the rest of the week. So I imagine next week if I dont hear anything ill contact them the week after. Not building my hopes up. It was my first fully qualified interview, I'll use it as a learning exercise. 

 Slow_mo

Hi slow_mo

I have everything crossed for you...good luck.

Sue

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