Children's Social Workers - Level 2/3

BCP Council; Christchurch; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in social care is seeking dedicated Children's Social Workers to join their Children in Care Team. This role offers the chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable children while enjoying a supportive work environment. With a strong commitment to professional development, the organization provides clear career progression and excellent learning opportunities. The team is dedicated to ensuring that all looked-after children receive the best possible care and support, fostering a collaborative atmosphere among social workers, families, and agencies. If you're passionate about making a difference, this is the opportunity for you.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Local government pension scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Employee Assistance Programme

Relocation scheme

Regular supervision

Clear career progression

Supportive training

Qualifications

• Experience in frontline safeguarding social work is essential.
• Willingness to undertake Practice Education training.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with children, families, and agencies to ensure care plans meet needs.
• Handle complex referrals and casework with high-quality risk analysis.

Skills

Mentoring

Risk Analysis

Decision-Making

Conflict Resolution

Continuous Professional Development

Education

Social Work Degree

Practice Education Training

Job description

Children's Social Workers - Level 2/3 - Children in Care Team

Salary: Band I £37,938 - £40,476 p.a. plus £4,234 p.a. contractual supplement; Band J - £41,511 - £44,711 p.a. plus £5,719 contractual supplement p.a.

Job Introduction

This is what our current workforce says about working for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) in Dorset:

"As a social worker, there is career progression encouraged within BCP, and it's a very rewarding job that I absolutely love."

"It's a lovely place to live and work. Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole are vibrant, busy urban areas right on the sea front. If you're not from the local area, come to Dorset!"

"I've never felt so supported."

About our team:

BCP Council Children’s Services have 4 Children in Care Teams, comprising 1 Team Manager, 1 Assistant Team Manager, 6 Social Workers, and 2 Family Support Practitioners. The teams are co-located at the Civic Centre Bournemouth but work flexibly across the BCP area.

Our goal: To ensure all aspects of a child's life and development are actively supported, especially the quality of care they receive where they live.

Our work: The Children in Care team is dedicated to ensuring all looked-after children receive the best possible care and support. Workers collaborate with the child, carer, family, and agencies to ensure an up-to-date care plan that meets their needs.

BCP Council is the corporate parent to around 500 children and young people at any one time, including care-experienced young people aged 18-25 transitioning out of care.

Are you passionate about making a real difference in children’s lives?

Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole Council seek dedicated, compassionate, and experienced Social Workers at Levels 2 & 3. We are proud to have achieved a GOOD rating from Ofsted in Dec 2024, reflecting our commitment to excellent care and support.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds to build a diverse and inclusive workforce. Your unique experiences will help us deliver outstanding care to children in our community.

If you are an experienced Social Worker, we want to hear from you. If you are reflective, proactive, resilient, and eager to make a difference, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council could be the right place for you.

It is an exciting time in BCP Children’s Services, offering you the chance to impact the lives of vulnerable children and our improvement journey. We are committed to recruiting, developing, and supporting outstanding social workers to help children grow and flourish. If you enjoy a challenge and want to feel the difference you make, please contact us.

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

• Have experience mentoring frontline SW staff, including NQSWs and students on placement.
• Hold or be willing to undertake Practice Education training.
• Be working towards the DfE Knowledge and Skills statements for child and family practitioners.
• Be able to handle complex referrals and casework with high-quality risk analysis and decision-making skills.
• Possess strong presentation and conflict resolution skills.
• Be committed to continuous professional development.
• Maintain a professional network to share expertise and support outcomes for vulnerable children.

We require you to:

• Travel across the full Council area in a timely manner.
• Have significant experience in frontline safeguarding SW work.

We offer:

• Full induction and supportive Practice Fundamentals training.
• Clear career progression and excellent learning opportunities.
• Manageable, diverse caseloads.
• Regular supervision.
• 25 days annual leave (pro-rata for those without continuous service), plus bank holidays.
• Competitive salary with access to the local government pension scheme.
• Flexible working arrangements in refurbished Civic Offices and local offices.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Relocation scheme.
• Staff network groups.

For an informal discussion, contact:

Shan Searle, Service Manager for Children in Care: [e-mail]

More details available at: BCP Partnership Academy

About BCP Council:

BCP Council serves a diverse community of 400,000 residents, employing over 5,000 staff. Our area features over 15 miles of renowned coastline. Join us to help deliver a thriving, inclusive, and prosperous community for future generations.

Our Benefits:

We offer an excellent benefits package. For details, see here.

Following the 2019 creation of BCP Council, we are streamlining terms and conditions and establishing a unified pay structure. We aim to ensure continuous service and no job reductions during this transition. For questions, contact the hiring manager.

DBS:

BCP Council is committed to safeguarding and expects all staff to complete appropriate Disclosure & Barring Service checks. See the Job Description or Role Profile for details.

Attached documents:

• Social Worker JD and PS BCP.pdf