Children's Social Workers - Level 2/3 - Assessment Team

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

Job summary

A local government council is seeking experienced Social Workers for the Assessment Team in Hurn. Responsibilities include conducting assessments and facilitating family meetings. Candidates should have a post-qualifying award and experience in social work safeguarding. The role offers competitive salary, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Access to local government pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Ability to work with complex referrals and casework.
• Experience supporting less experienced staff and social work students.
• Ability to travel across the full Council area.

Responsibilities

• Conduct initial single assessments within statutory timescales.
• Facilitate family network meetings to support families.
• Manage caseloads effectively and provide regular supervision.

Skills

Experience in frontline social work safeguarding

Mentoring skills

Conflict resolution skills

Presentation skills

Commitment to continuous professional development

Education

Post-qualifying award (e.g., Practice Education)

Job description

Overview

Children's Social Workers - Level 2/3 - Assessment Team

BCP Council is recruiting for experienced Social Workers to join the Assessment Team in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. The team conducts initial single assessments within statutory timescales and ongoing assessments from referral to case closure, facilitating family network meetings and developing plans to support positive outcomes for children and families.

Responsibilities

• Carry out initial single assessments within statutory timescales and conduct ongoing assessments from referral through to case closure.
• Facilitate family network meetings to coordinate the family’s support network.
• Work within four pods with a four-weekly turnaround (20-day time limit on assessments).

Qualifications and requirements

• Experience in frontline social work safeguarding and ability to work with very complex referrals and casework, with high-quality risk analysis and decision making.
• Experience in mentoring frontline social workers, including support for less experienced staff and social work students on placement.
• Post-qualifying award (e.g., Practice Education) or willingness to undertake Practice Education training.
• Working to the DfE Knowledge and Skills statements for child and family practitioners.
• Strong and confident presentation and conflict resolution skills.
• Commitment to continuous professional development; able to develop and maintain a professional network to support outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.
• Be able to travel across the full Council area in a timely manner.
• Significant experience of frontline social work safeguarding.

Rewards and terms

• Salary ranged under current and forthcoming Pay and Reward package; Level 2–3: £42,839 – £53,460 (pro rata for part-time colleagues) from 1 December 2025; pay protection will not apply.
• Recruitment and Retention Supplements are in addition to base salary, temporary and discretionary, subject to policy timelines.
• Current supplements: Level 2 £1,331 per annum (pro rata); Level 3 £5,719 per annum (pro rata). From 1 December supplements may be up to £3,356 (Level 2) and up to £3,249 (Level 3) per annum (pro rata).

What we offer

• Full induction with supportive Practice Fundamentals, clear career progression and learning opportunities.
• Manageable and diverse caseloads; regular supervision.
• 25 days annual leave (pro rata for those without continuous service) plus bank holidays; flexible working arrangements; access to local government pension scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme; relocation scheme; staff network groups.

About the team and organisation

BCP Council Children’s Services have 4 Assessment Teams with 1 Team Manager, 1 Assistant Team Manager and 6 Social Workers each. Teams are co-located at the Civic Centre Bournemouth and work flexibly across the BCP area.

BCP Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the community; all applicants will be required to complete an appropriate level of DBS check.

How to apply and further information

For informal discussion about the roles, contact Nigel Burton, Service Manager for Assessment ([e-mail]).

Check out our academy website for more details: BCP Partnership Academy.

Be the difference - join an organisation that values you. Be part of a learning, diverse and inclusive workforce on the journey to further improvement of children’s services.

Payroll and terms: From 1 December 2025, a new Pay and Reward package introduces updated terms and conditions; details on the careers page under Employee benefits | Working for BCP.

DBS: BCP Council is committed to safeguarding and asks applicants to complete the appropriate level of DBS check.