Children's Social Worker Level 2/3

BCP Council; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in England is seeking Children's Social Workers to join the Children and Families First Team. This role involves working with vulnerable families and requires experience in mentoring social workers and handling complex casework. Candidates should have a post-qualifying award and a commitment to professional development. The position offers a competitive salary and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Flexible working arrangements

Relocation scheme

Qualifications

• Experience mentoring frontline social workers.
• Willingness to undertake Practice Education training.
• Experience with complex referrals and casework.
• Commitment to continuous professional development.

Responsibilities

• Work with families at risk to achieve positive change.
• Review assessments and plans regularly.
• Ensure child safety through planned interventions.

Skills

Mentoring

Risk analysis

Conflict resolution

Presentation skills

Network development

Education

Post-qualifying award (Practice Education)

Job description

Overview

Children's Social Workers - Level 2/3 - Children and Families First Team

From 1 December 2025, our refreshed Pay and Reward package comes into effect. The salary for this role (Level 2 – 3) will be £42,839 – £53,460 (pro rata for part time colleagues) from 1 December 2025 and pay protection will not apply. Recruitment and Retention Supplements are in addition to the base salary and are temporary, awarded solely at the discretion of BCP Council in accordance with our Interim Salary Supplement policy, to be replaced by the new Pay and Allowances policy on 1 December 2025. The current supplements are being updated as described for Level 2 and Level 3.

You can find more about the new terms and conditions on our careers site in the More than just a job brochure. This is what our current workforce say about working for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council in Dorset.

The council has achieved a GOOD rating from Ofsted in Dec 2024 and is committed to recruiting, developing and supporting outstanding social workers to enable children to grow and flourish.

About our team: Safeguarding is everyone’s business. The Children and Families First teams work with families where longer-term intervention is required to reduce risk and achieve positive change. Teams work with children assessed as in need or at risk of harm. Assessments and plans are reviewed regularly to progress the child’s journey. The teams work with families and other agencies to support children on child in need and child protection plans, and in some cases at early stages of being looked after. The teams use interventions within a restorative practice framework to address and reduce risk. Key areas include co-production, safety planning, strong relationships with children, early permanence planning and legal interventions when required.

There are 6 Children and Families First teams, each with a Team Manager, ATM, 7 social workers and a family support practitioner. All statutory teams are co-located within the Civic Centre, Bournemouth, but work flexibly across the BCP area.

Role requirements

If you are interested in this level of social work, you will need to:

• have experience of mentoring frontline social workers, including new and newly qualified staff and social work students on placement
• have a post-qualifying award (Practice Education) or be willing to undertake Practice Education training
• be working to the DfE Knowledge and Skills statements for child and family practitioners
• be able to work with very complex referrals and complex casework with strong analysis of risk and decision making
• have strong and confident presentation skills
• have strong conflict resolution skills
• have a commitment to continuous professional development
• develop and maintain a professional network to share expertise and support outcomes for vulnerable children and young people

We will require you to

• be able to travel across the full Council area in a timely manner
• have significant experience of frontline social work safeguarding

We can offer you

• Full induction with a supportive Practice Fundamentals offer
• Clear career progression pathway and excellent learning opportunities
• Manageable and diverse caseloads
• Regular supervision
• 25 days annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays
• Competitive salary with access to the local government pension scheme
• Flexible working arrangements in our newly refurbished Civic Offices with local offices near to where you need to work
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Relocation scheme
• Staff network groups

For informal discussion

Contact Vanessa Johns, Service Manager for Children and Families First and PLO & Court at [e-mail]

Check out our academy website for more details BCP Partnership Academy

About BCP Council

BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes coastlines and opportunities to transform and improve services. We offer career-defining roles to help deliver a thriving, inclusive place for generations to come.

Our Benefits

A Place to Thrive – Join BCP Council

From 1 December 2025 we will introduce a new Pay and Reward package designed to recognise and reward colleagues with fair pay, modernised terms and conditions, and a comprehensive benefits package. Flexible working, wellbeing support, and career progression opportunities are included. More about the new Pay and Reward package can be found in the Employee benefits section on the careers page.

Be the difference - Join an organisation that values you

More About us | Working for BCP

DBS

BCP Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the community. Applicants will be required to complete the appropriate level of Disclosure & Barring Service Check. Please refer to the Job Description or Role Profile for details.