Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people.
Start your social work career where you can truly make a difference. At East Sussex County Council, we'll support you every step of the way as you transition from learning to practice. With a structured ASYE programme, dedicated Professional Educator, and opportunities to grow, you'll help transform lives while building a rewarding future for yourself.
Hi, I'm Katie and I'm the Principal Social Worker for Children's Services.
I'm always pleased to welcome new NQSWs to East Sussex. It's a route I took myself, but more importantly, every year our NQSWs bring fresh ideas, energy and diversity to the service.
People often ask why I've stayed at East Sussex throughout my career. The answer is simple: I value the people I work with, and there's always been opportunity to grow. On paper, my career looks traditional, from NQSW to Principal Social Worker, but that's only part of the story. Along the way, I had the chance to work in specialist services and develop our Connected Families intervention Practitioner service, focusing on bringing skilled help for families as early and as quickly as possible. Opportunities like these are what make working in East Sussex different.
My journey isn't unique. Many of our senior staff started through the ASYE programme. But the ASYE programme isn't about us, it's about you. That's why, at interview, we focus on having an open conversation. We also know this is a big decision, so if you'd like to chat before applying, I'm happy to make time. You can also join one of our online open evenings to learn more about a career with us.
I'm passionate about social work, and working for East Sussex County Council gives me the stability and resources to make a real difference for children and families. We have a clear vision, strong leadership and a commitment to creating an environment of stability and security. We prioritise the quality of social work practice, not just processes.
Social work is rewarding but challenging, and we recognise the importance of supporting our staff. That's why we offer an excellent wellbeing programme, great benefits and a clear career pathway. We want our staff to achieve their goals and feel valued.
I hope to work with you soon.
Katie Smee‑Giles
Salary: £38,872 (Grade 10) rising to £44,120 (Grade 11) on successful completion of Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) (includes market supplement reviewed annually on the basis that you remain in your team or move to another frontline team).
Our teams and Locations:
* Multi-agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
* Duty and Assessment Teams
* Family and Youth Support Teams
* Children's Disability Service
* Looked After Children
* Single Point of Advice (SPoA)
* Through Care Team
* Fostering
* Adoption
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