Learning & Development Opportunities
At Rhondda Cynon Taf Council we believe it is important for every employee to achieve their full potential. If you choose a career at RCT Children’s Services, you will have access to our dedicated in-house Learning and Development Centre, which actively supports practitioners at each level to maintain their skills and Continuous Professional Development. This includes:
- A comprehensive ‘First Year in Practice’ programme that supports Newly Qualified Social Workers.
- A range of sponsored post qualifying programmes available for Continuous Professional Education and Learning (CPEL).
- Opportunities for Experienced Social Workers who are looking to progress to management, to enrol on the Team Manager Development Programme.
- Tailored Continuous Professional Development opportunities available to workers in specialist roles, to enhance current knowledge and further develop.
Well-being Support
We prioritise the well-being of our practitioners, providing support, manageable workloads, and resources needed to thrive. The council’s Occupational Health Unit offers well-being support and advice such as counselling, health surveillance, nurses and physiotherapist services. Employees can also access ‘Vivup’, our fully Confidential Employee Assistance Programme. In RCT Children’s Services, we have also developed a programme to support practitioner well-being which focuses on nurturing supportive resilient teams. This includes:
- We have introduced ‘Reflective spaces’ to Children’s Services practitioners, which involve a collaborative conversation between a team or individual, facilitated by a psychologist that supports the sharing of thoughts, feelings and reactions to experiences in work. The approach encourages self-awareness and reflection in a supportive safe space. To find out more, please watch the video below:
RCT Council Benefits
- We offer 26 days annual leave, rising to 31 days after 5 years’ service. There is also an option to purchase additional annual leave to a maximum of 10 days (pro rata) per year.
- Working for RCT Council, you will have access to the generous Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Access to the Flexi-time working policy and the right to request flexible working. We also have supportive policies for parents which include enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity pay. We also work in an agile way, which enables you to work from both home and the office.
- Social Care Staff are eligible to apply for a Blue Light Card.
- Additional Council wide benefits include our Cycle to Work scheme, discounted LeisureForLife membership and a staff discount Vectis card. Why work for RCT
Living and Working in RCT
- In RCT we have a rich cultural heritage for you to explore and stunning landscapes perfect for activities such as cycling, walking, golf, horse riding, quad biking, rock climbing and one of the world’s fastest seated zip lines at Zip World Tower.
- There are unique attractions to visit, including historic theatres, country parks, museums, the Royal Mint Experience and the National Lido of Wales.
- RCT has a range of housing at affordable prices, and is just a short distance from Cardiff, Wales’ capital city. It is also within travelling distance of the Brecon Beacons National Park and Swansea, which has some of the UK’s best beaches.
Social Work Salary
Social Worker: £40,221 (Grade 11)
Must hold a Professional Social Work qualification i.e. MA/Degree in Social Work or recognised predecessor equivalent e.g. CQSW, DipSW, CSS.
Experienced Social Worker: £43,221 (Grade 12)
Requires a minimum of 3 years post qualifying experience. For those who qualified after 1st April 2016 in Wales, successful completion of Social Care Wales registration requirement ‘First Year in Practice’ and Consolidation Programme for Newly Qualified Social Workers and first re-registration after 3 years post qualifying. For those qualifying outside of Wales evidence of 3 years post qualifying experience and registration with Social Care Wales is required.
Principal Social Worker: £46, 464 (Grade 13)
Requires you to deputise for the Team Manager, manage complex cases and undertake a quality assurance role.
All staff within our Early Intervention - Enquiry and Assessment Teams and our East and West, 1,2,3- Intensive Intervention Teams are eligible to receive a £2000.00 market supplement. This is regardless of length of post qualifying experience and will be reviewed in May 2025. This payment will be paid pro rata on a monthly basis.