I have applied for the permanent Social work post but was not successful. The Panel offered me a Sessional Registered Social Worker (Childrens) contract. Is it something worth considering? Do you know what is it? The letter states that " this contract will be on an "as and when required basis and there can be no guarantee that work will be available".
I would really appreciate your advice.
It's exactly what it says!!! 'As and when' required with no guarantees of how many hours or how often.
Could this just be a way of the employer avoiding the burden of various employment rights associated with a full-time employee? It may be the case that you work end up working full-time hours for them without the benefits of a permanent contract.
OR it may just be me being a cynic :-)
Thank you for your replies. It's also mentiones that "you will not be retained for work by the Council and you will be able to work for any other employer on the sessional pool".
So what is it that you don't understand? - they have given you all the information you need to know. It is, quite simply, a Sessional Post with no guarantees attached but, given what you have said in other Posts about your history it may be worth trying it and seeking to convince them that you would be a good candidate for a future permanent position.
Thank you for your advice. Is Sessional Social Work something new because the council tries to reduce using agency staff??
cat18: Thank you for your advice. Is Sessional Social Work something new because the council tries to reduce using agency staff??
No, sessional work is nothing new, it's been going on for years. Your questions make me think that you are newly qualified and what you are talking about could be about becoming an independent social worker, who is paid by the hour or for a piece of work. Independent social workers are usually experienced.
Where will your guidance and support come from? Who is going to be supervising you? Those are the questions you should be asking.
Yes, you will be cheaper than agency workers.
As a Sessional Worker you would be supervised by a permanent member of staff and receive proper Supervision. You may work less and irregular hours but when you are working you will be 'employed' by the Local Authority.
In October 2011 I received another job offer of 18 months contract from a local council. Yesterday I received a letter saying that the job offer was withdrawn because they received an unsatisfactory reference from my previous employer. They've done a CRB check which was clear and also received 2 other references which was good. One of them was from my college lecturer and another one was from the charity where I do my voluntary work... I thought my 2 references will be enough but they wanted the reference from my previous place of work where I worked as a Social worker. I didn't want to give them my previous employer as a referee but they were asking for the name and contact details of my manager... I had no choice as to give them contact details of my manager...
My Sessional Registered Social work job offer is still pending and also is a subject to satisfactory references... I dont think I get it as wel....
I am so upset and don't really know what to do. I feel that my career is ruined...
I'm very sorry, but I really needed to vent that...
Merry christmas.
Ask to see the reference - either your previous employer or the one who has withdrawn the offer must make it available to you.
If the contents are not accurate then take further advice either from your Union / Professional Association / solicitor.
Thank you for your advice. I certainly can ask for a copy of the reference.
I am not in Unison anymore as I am no longer in paid employment.... I feel totally lost... as I had so much hope for that job offer... I just simply don't know what to do next. Shall I not mention about my previous job when I apply for the job next time? Is that what they want me to do? but again it was my only statutory Social work experience.... They do not give me a Social worker job and I can't even get a job as a support worker because they see me as being overqualified. What is the way forward??
You must always be totally honest in your Job Applications and it is usual to ask for a reference from your previous / current employer.
References must be honest and factual and if you feel that it isn't it may be worth consulting an Employment Law solicitor.
I understand that I have to be honest but I will not get a job with this bad reference... I can go through the interview and get a job offer which will be withdrawn again and again...
It is a good idea to go to see Employment Solicitor but I can't afford it..
I did not get on with my manager. She did not like me from the day I started the job. Having said that I have to admit that I tried my best but she simply wanted to get rid off me. I also felt bullied and discriminated against....
That does not explain any bad Reference - until you obtain a copy there is little more that you can do / we can advise you about.
Try to remain positive - others have overcome bad References.
Take care this Christmas and New Year and try to be positive about 2012.
I try to think positively but I started to think that my future and Social work career is ruined. My latest negative social work experience is still hunting me, my previous manager continues to give bad reference and nobody wants to give me the second chance. Every time I get a job it will be taken away again and again....Is anyone else has ever been in the same situation?
First stop is to get a copy of the reference before you jump to any conclusions about your career. See what it actually says. If you feel that it is not accurate, come back and talk to us on here and I'm sure someone will be able to offer some good advice.
Perhaps try for a job you are over qualified for that may give you a chance to build up your self estimate again. May places would be only too happy to have a sw for support/assistant pay and such jobs will probably require less references.
Some of us have an aversion to authority figures, probably due to childhood experiences. So, when we come across someone, where transference takes over, we inevitable give off vibes that doesn't exactly endear us to them.
If that person is then less than objective, when asked for an opinion, they could effectively wreck a career .Surely this cannot (should not) be.
This happened to me. The difference between the OP and I was that, when I knew I was detested I took out grievance proceedings so at least the clash was recorded.
Went to previous bosses who gave me references good enough to get me the post.
Moral being if you think there is a problem with someone do something about it, don't leave it until it looks like sour grapes.
In other words retaliate first.
If you believe your past employer's reference unfairly harmed your future work prospects you may be able to sue for negligent misstatement. To do so, you must show that:
Alternatively, if you think there is an element of discrimination involved, you can bring your former employer to an employment tribunal.
I can certainly look for a job I am overqualified for like the family support worker role and still continue to look for the soc work post but afraid that my new perspective employer again will want a reference from the job where I worked as a social worker... It can go back to square one..
So get a copy of the offending Reference - you will get nowhere without it.
I managed to get a copy of that reference. As I expected, my ex manager ticked a box "No" for the question "Would you re-employ the applicant?...
I have recruited people into various posts, and see 'negative' references all the time. There are some people who have the authority to make decisions out there who will overlook certain things (a lot of people use very dramatic language on a reference but offer no real explanation, and if you follow it up it tends to be a personality clash... to me that is what probation periods are for, so I would always give someone the chance, and if they didnt fit into the team, as I have had, then we can make a mutual decision). Be patient, you will get another job. Believe me when I say I have seen loads of references, some are overly good (obvious they were best buddies with their boss) and some not so good (clear they didn't get on)... but we are all human. Sometimes it is about giving people the chance to shine, other times some people are just a pain in the butt to work with (good management can usually solve that... or good procedures). Don't lose faith, its hard but something will come along. There are ways to deal with stuff like that in recruitment... a 'no' box ticked is seriously nothing to worry about. Some people will run scared but others will see it as something quite normal.
You now need to take further advice as I understand that it is unlawful for the Manager to say that they would not re-employ you as it breaches Equal Opportunities legislation.
The Manager would need to explain why and it would have to be something really serious.
You are clearly being prevented from obtaining further employment and I think that you may well have a strong case to bring against the employer for whom the Manager works.
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Thank you all for taking time and answering to my thread. I really appreciate your views. I understand that ticked "No" box for the question "Would you re-employ the candidate?" is nothing to worry about but not at the present economic climate... I think that potential employer now is looking for a perfect reference and certainly does not want to hire someone who had a problem at previous job... Anyway its the way I see it..
Only Agencies as far as I know use that particular tick box - I would express my strong concerns to them as it invites a negative response.
You should still take advice from your Union / Professional Association / Legal Adviser.
That reference was requested by the council.
All the more reason to take legal advice.