Job Vacancy: Senior Social Worker – Children & Families Team
Location: Cotswolds, Hybrid (3 days in office, 2 days remote)
Salary: Grade 9
Expenses: Accommodation and/or mileage up to £150 per week (Terms and Conditions apply)
Working Hours: Full-time, flexible hours with some work outside of regular office hours
Travel Requirements: Must have a valid driving license and access to a car.
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Senior Social Worker to join our Children & Families Team. This role involves holding a caseload of children and providing effective, evidence-based interventions with a focus on timeliness and impact. The caseload will be a mix of Children in Need (CIN), Child Protection (CP), and Children in Care (CIC), including some court work. You will be responsible for modeling high-quality social work practice and providing support and consultation to less experienced colleagues.
Key Responsibilities
Manage a caseload of approximately 18 cases, with a high level of complexity and risk, including children subject to care proceedings and child protection plans.
Act in a consultative role to less experienced social workers, providing guidance and supporting court proceedings, chairing core group meetings, and facilitating family group meetings.
Maintain a high standard of casework, including accurate case recording and high-quality report writing.
Engage with children, young people, and their families to assess needs and develop appropriate multi-agency interventions.
Attend relevant meetings requiring high-level professional input, and work collaboratively with partner agencies to ensure effective service delivery.
Provide mentoring, specialist consultation, and advice to colleagues and other professionals.
Undertake direct work with children and families to manage risk and achieve sustained, positive outcomes.
Support advanced practitioners to improve social work practice and ensure ongoing post-qualification professional development.
Safeguard the welfare of children and young people, ensuring compliance with legal and statutory frameworks.
Qualifications and Experience
MA/MSc/BA/BSc in Social Work or relevant HCPC-approved qualification (e.g., DipSW, CQSW, CSS).
HCPC registration.
Substantial post-qualifying experience in a statutory children's services fieldwork team.
Knowledge of legal and policy frameworks in Children's Social Care, with critical and ethical understanding of legislation and case law.
Experience in mentoring or supervising the work of others, with the ability to guide and inspire.
Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to manage complex, high-risk, or hostile situations.
Ability to manage workload independently while seeking support and suggesting solutions for workload difficulties.
Behavioral Attributes
Emotionally resilient with a non-judgmental and caring attitude.
Able to function effectively in a pressurized environment.
Committed to ongoing professional development and continuous improvement in social work practice.
Special Conditions
Enhanced DBS required due to the nature of the role.
Flexibility to meet urgent work needs, which may require some work outside normal office hours.
The ability to travel across the Cotswolds and to other locations as needed.
Why Join Us?
We offer a supportive work environment with a flexible approach to help manage work-life balance.
Expenses package for accommodation and/or mileage up to £150 per week.
Opportunity to make a significant impact in the lives of children, young people, and families in the Cotswolds area.
Comprehensive benefits package and support for ongoing professional development.
How to Apply
If you meet the qualifications and are passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and families, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and why you are interested in this role.
Join our team and be part of a dedicated group of professionals committed to supporting and protecting children and families in the community.