Children’s Assessment Social Worker

Liquid Personnel; Christchurch, Poole; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Liquid Personnel is recruiting experienced Children's Social Workers for BCP Council's four Assessment Teams in Dorset. You will assess children’s circumstances and develop effective plans to safeguard and support families, working within statutory timescales and alongside the team.

The role emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration, clear progression, and comprehensive induction with ongoing learning and development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Social Work England Registration.
• Significant frontline safeguarding experience within Children's Services.
• Experience managing complex referrals and assessments.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a fast-paced assessment environment.
• Commitment to delivering positive outcomes for children and families.

Responsibilities

• Completing initial single assessments within statutory timescales
• Undertaking continuous assessments from referral through to closure
• Facilitating family network meetings
• Managing complex safeguarding referrals and assessments
• Working closely with families to identify strengths, risks, and support networks
• Making informed recommendations regarding next steps, including closure, step-down, or transfer to longer-term teams

Education

Social Work England Registration

Job description

Liquid Personnel is recruiting experienced Children's Social Workers on behalf of BCP Council to join their highly regarded Assessment Teams based in Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole, Dorset. Following a GOOD Ofsted rating, BCP Council continues to invest in its workforce and provide high-quality services for children and families across the region.

About the Role

As part of one of BCP's four Assessment Teams, you will play a key role in understanding children's circumstances and developing effective plans that create positive outcomes for families. Assessment work is fundamental to the success of children's services, placing you at the heart of safeguarding practice.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Completing initial single assessments within statutory timescales
• Undertaking continuous assessments from referral through to closure
• Facilitating family network meetings
• Managing complex safeguarding referrals and assessments
• Working closely with families to identify strengths, risks, and support networks
• Making informed recommendations regarding next steps, including closure, step-down, or transfer to longer-term teams

Why Join BCP Council?

• GOOD Ofsted-rated Children's Services
• Clear career progression opportunities
• Comprehensive induction and Practice Fundamentals support
• Excellent learning and development programmes
• Manageable caseloads and regular supervision
• Flexible working arrangements
• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Employee Assistance Programme and staff support networks

Requirements

• Social Work England Registration
• Significant frontline safeguarding experience within Children's Services
• Experience managing complex referrals and assessments
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills
• Ability to work effectively within a fast-paced assessment environment
• Commitment to delivering positive outcomes for children and families

Why Dorset?

Enjoy a fantastic work-life balance while living and working in one of the UK's most desirable coastal locations. Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole offer vibrant communities, beautiful beaches, and excellent lifestyle opportunities.

Interested?

If you are an experienced Children's Social Worker looking to develop your career within a supportive and forward-thinking local authority, we would love to hear from you.

Reasonable Adjustments:

If you consider yourself to have a disability or require any reasonable adjustment during the recruitment process or within the workplace, please highlight this at the earliest opportunity by contacting our team. With this information, we will provide appropriate support to you throughout the process and into your work placement.

We are unable to support or accept applications from candidates who are residents within the Red or Amber list of the Code of practice for the international recruitment of health and social care personnel in England, based on the World Health Organisation (WHO) Workforce Support and Safeguard List.