Children's Social Worker and Senior Social Worker

Suffolk County Council; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority seeks a committed Social Worker to support young people transitioning from care to independence in Suffolk. The role involves collaboration with a team to deliver high-quality social services. Applicants should hold a relevant social work qualification and have experience working with young individuals. Benefits include competitive salary, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Up to 29 days of annual leave

Access to relocation package

Flexible working options

Comprehensive training opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience of working with young people in a professional capacity.
• Understanding of the issues and challenges that affect Care Leavers.
• Ability to work under deadlines and motivate others.

Responsibilities

• Develop positive working relationships with young people.
• Liaise with other professionals.
• Hold complex cases and undertake Pathway plans.
• Attend meetings and reviews.

Skills

Experience working with young people

Understanding issues affecting Care Leavers

Positive working relationships

Good IT knowledge

Education

Relevant social work qualification

Job description

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Job Description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address:
  Riverside, 4 Canning Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0EQ
  Endeavour House, Russell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX
  West Suffolk House, Western Way, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3YU
• Salary: £36,124 - £45,595 per annum, plus up to £4,000 annual retention payment (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: Full time and part time
• Contract: Permanent

Jobs available

• 1 x 30 hours per week - Social Worker based in Lowestoft: £36,124 - £39,513 per annum, plus £4,000 annual retention payment (pro rata for part time)
• 1 x 37 hours per week - Social Worker based in Ipswich: £36,124 - £39,513 per annum, plus £4,000 annual retention payment (pro rata for part time)
• 1 x 37 hours per week - Senior Social Worker based in Bury St Edmunds: £40,215 - £45,595 per annum, plus £3,500 annual retention payment (pro rata for part time)
• 1 x 22.5 hours per week - Senior Social Worker based in Bury St Edmunds: £40,215 - £45,595 per annum, plus £3,500 annual retention payment (pro rata for part time)

All roles are predominantly office based.

The Leaving Care Service is seeking to recruit a Social Worker (SW) and Senior Social worker (SSW) to join the service in Lowestoft, Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich. In this role you will work with a specialist team of Social Workers and Personal Advisers to deliver high quality social care services to young people leaving care throughout Suffolk.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, committed self-motivated person to provide advice and support to Care Leavers aged 16-25 as they make their transition from care into independence.

Your role

To be successful in your application you will have experience of working with young people in a professional capacity, as well as an understanding of the issues and challenges that affect Care Leavers. You will also have enthusiasm and be creative in engaging young people.

We are looking for individuals with significant experience of partnership working and working successfully with colleagues in other services on complex issues. You are someone who can promote the need for improvement and act as a role model for change.

Positive, committed, adaptable and thorough, those around you will appreciate your confident approach and your personal integrity. You are also able to work to deadlines and motivate others to work effectively.

You will work with skilled, passionate, and supportive Team Managers and colleagues, looking at innovative ways to build relationships with our young people, their families and partners so the voices of our young people are heard.

Key responsibilities and duties

• To develop and sustain positive working relationships with young people and the team and be highly motivated to deliver excellent services to young people
• Liaise with other professionals
• Understanding of relevant legislation
• Hold complex cases
• Undertake Pathway plans and Core Assessments
• Attending Case conferences and other relevant meetings
• Attending CIC Reviews
• Good knowledge of IT

What you need

• a relevant social work qualification and Social Work England registration
• to hold a full and current driving licence and have access to personal transport or meet the mobility requirements of the role through other reasonable and suitable means.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profiles below, if you believe you can succeed in this role, please apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

The Leaving Care Service's mission is to help our care leavers aged 16-24 to develop their independence and make a successful transition into adulthood. You will work with a specialist team of Social Workers and Personal Advisers to deliver high quality social care services to young people leaving care throughout Suffolk.

The quality of the relationships created with young people is paramount, as are working relationships which enable access to expertise and resources of a range of other services and agencies, both within CYP and beyond.

Shaping careers and learning

We understand that being a social worker can be a challenging role, which is why we offer:

• regular supervision sessions to provide guidance and assistance
• comprehensive training opportunities to boost your professional skills
• a structured career Progression Scheme (pdf) to foster your growth.

This way, you can be confident in your abilities and provide the best possible care to those in need.

Additional benefits

• up to 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays per annum, pro rata for part time
• an uplift of 3 additional annual leave days, pro rata for part time
• 3 protected CPD days per annum
• access to a relocation package of up to £8,000, a car leasing scheme and a welcome loan of £2,000 for all new social workers moving to Suffolk
• free on-site car parking in all council buildings
• flexible working options and our commitment to supporting health and wellbeing
• detailed induction programme, including mandatory Signs of Safety training
• staff networks which are open to staff, councillors and partners that share similar characteristics, life experiences, values and beliefs.

Empowering Everyone

We are big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We are always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report (suffolk.gov.uk).

Discover More

• A day in the life of a Children's Social Worker. (suffolkjobsdirect.org)
• Find out about our beautiful county of Suffolk and see what a wonderful place it is to live and work, please visit welcome to Suffolk (visitsuffolk.com).
• Further information on what we will offer you (careers.suffolk.gov.uk).
• Sponsorship for a visa may be available for current UK residents. This role is based in Suffolk.

For more information

For an informal discussion about the role/s, please contact:

Social Worker role
Deborah Maddock (Lowestoft) by emailing: [e-mail] or calling 01473 260140.

Senior Social Worker role
Tania Slicing (Ipswich) by emailing: [e-mail] or calling 01473 264978 or
Cat MacDonald (Ipswich) by emailing: [e-mail] calling 01473 264965

How to apply

Step 1: Please read the Job and Personal Profile below and our Progression Scheme (pdf)before applying for this job.

• Social Worker JPP (word)
• Senior Social Worker JPP (word)

Step 2 - Click 'Apply Now' to start your online application.

Step 3: Upload your CV (Curriculum Vitae) and complete a short online application form (stating in your application the location you are applying for).

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We ask you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

Please note: Without a CV, your interest will not be progressed. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing: [e-mail] calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 14 August 2025.

Interview date: 22 August 2025.

Promoted as FJ (Featured Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.

Suffolk County Council - welcoming diversity.

About Us

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We're driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you'll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).