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

BCP Council; Hurn; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the UK is seeking experienced Children's Social Workers for Levels 2 & 3 in their Children in Care Team. The role involves ensuring looked-after children receive top care and support. Candidates must have frontline safeguarding experience and a post-qualifying award. Offering career progression, competitive salary, and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Competitive salary

Flexible working arrangements

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Experience mentoring less experienced staff.
• Ability to handle complex referrals and casework.
• Commitment to continuous professional development.

Responsibilities

• Ensure all looked-after children receive the best possible care.
• Collaborate with the child, carer, family, and agencies.
• Support the development of effective care plans.

Skills

Mentoring

Risk analysis

Conflict resolution

Education

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

Job description

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

• Salary: BCP Band I (SCP 28-31) £39,152 - £41,771 per annum pro rata, plus £4,234 per annum; and BCP Band J (SCP 32-35) - £42,839 - £46,142 per annum, plus £5,719 per annum

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 that is encouraged within BCP, and it's a very rewarding job that I absolutely love."

"It's a lovely place to come and live and work. So if you're not from the local area, come down to Dorset. It's a wonderful county, and Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole are vibrant, busy urban areas right on the seafront."

"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 to meet their needs. Workers collaborate with the child, carer, family, and agencies to ensure a current, effective care plan is in place.

BCP Council is the corporate parent to around 500 children and young people at any time, increasing when 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 is seeking dedicated, compassionate, and experienced Social Workers for Levels 2 & 3. We are proud to have achieved a GOOD rating from Ofsted in December 2024, reflecting our commitment to excellent care and support for children and families.

At BCP, we value diversity and are committed to building an inclusive workforce. Your unique perspectives will help us continue delivering 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 while ensuring children’s voices are central, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council could be the right place for you.

It is an exciting time in BCP Children’s Services, and you have the opportunity to impact the lives of our most vulnerable children and young people. We are dedicated to recruiting, developing, and supporting outstanding social workers to help children grow and flourish. If you enjoy a challenge and want to work where you can see the difference you make, please contact us.

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

• Have experience mentoring less experienced staff, including new and newly qualified social workers and students on placement.

• Possess a post-qualifying award (e.g., Practice Education) or be willing to undertake Practice Education training.

• Work in accordance with 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.

• Have strong presentation and conflict resolution skills.

• Be committed 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 efficiently.

• Have significant frontline safeguarding experience.

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) plus bank holidays.

• Competitive salary with access to the local government pension scheme.

• Flexible working arrangements with modern facilities.

• Employee Assistance Programme.

• Relocation scheme.

• Staff network groups.

For an informal discussion, please contact:

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

More details available on our academy website: BCP Partnership Academy

About BCP Council:

We serve over 400,000 residents and employ more than 5,000 staff across a diverse community, including over 15 miles of coastline. Join us to help deliver a vibrant, inclusive, and prosperous future.

Our Benefits:

For details, see here.

Note: We are currently reviewing terms and conditions of service to unify pay structures across the councils involved, ensuring continuous employment and no job reductions. For questions, contact the hiring manager.

DBS:

All applicants will be required to complete a Disclosure & Barring Service check. Please refer to the Job Description or Role Profile for more information.

Attached documents:

• Social Worker JD and PS BCP.pdf