Children's SW - CIC / Court Team - Northamptonshire

Caritas Recruitment; Kettering; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Caritas Recruitment Limited is helping a local authority recruit a qualified Children’s Social Worker to join a Children in Care and Court Team in the United Kingdom. You will support looked-after children, care proceedings, and permanence planning, managing a varied caseload with a focus on safe, stable outcomes.

You will undertake high‑quality assessments, develop and review care plans, ensure children's views are central, complete statutory visits, attend reviews and hearings, and maintain

Qualifications

• Recognised Social Work qualification.
• Current registration with Social Work England.
• Experience with children and families in a statutory setting.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication, organisation and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Undertake high-quality assessments and develop care plans.
• Review and update care plans with a child-centred approach.
• Ensure children's views, wishes and feelings drive decision-making.
• Complete statutory visits and participate in reviews and hearings as required.
• Maintain accurate case records and collaborate with foster carers, families, schools, health professionals and partner agencies.

Skills

Communication skills

Organisation

Relationship-building

Case management

Anti-discriminatory practice

Education

Social Work qualification

Job description

We are seeking a qualified Children’s Social Worker to join a Children in Care and Court Team. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced practitioner to support children and young people who are looked after, subject to care proceedings or requiring permanence planning. You will manage a varied caseload and contribute to achieving safe, stable and positive outcomes for children.

You will undertake high-quality assessments, develop and review care plans, and ensure that children’s views, wishes and feelings remain central to all decision-making. Responsibilities will include completing statutory visits, preparing for and participating in reviews, maintaining accurate case records, and working closely with foster carers, families, schools, health professionals and other partner agencies.

For children involved in court proceedings, you will prepare clear, evidence-based assessments and statements, provide professional recommendations, and attend hearings when required. You will work in accordance with relevant legislation, regulations, statutory guidance and local procedures, while ensuring that safeguarding concerns are identified, assessed and responded to promptly.

The successful candidate will hold a recognised Social Work qualification and current registration with Social Work England. You will have experience of working with children and families in a statutory setting, ideally including children in care, court work, care proceedings, permanence planning or fostering. You must be confident managing competing priorities, meeting deadlines and presenting your professional analysis in written and verbal formats.

You will be a reflective and resilient practitioner with strong communication, organisation and relationship-building skills. A sound understanding of child development, attachment, trauma-informed practice and safeguarding is essential. You will be committed to anti-discriminatory practice and able to build effective working relationships with children, families, carers and professionals.

The role requires a current driving licence and access to suitable transport, as travel to homes, placements, offices and court may be necessary. An enhanced DBS check and satisfactory employment checks will be required before appointment.