Children's SW - Keeping Families Together Team - Darlington

Caritas Recruitment; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Caritas Recruitment Limited is seeking a qualified Children’s Social Worker for a Keeping Families Together Team in Darlington. The role focuses on helping children remain safely with their families through thorough assessments and collaborative planning with parents and carers.

You will manage a varied caseload, undertake statutory visits, prepare reports and participate in child protection processes and meetings. Strong assessment, decision-making and relationship-led practice are essential.

Qualifications

• Hold a recognised Social Work qualification and current registration with Social Work England.
• Experience of working with children and families in a statutory or safeguarding setting.
• Sound understanding of relevant legislation, guidance and best practice.
• Experience of children in need, child protection or care proceedings would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• undertake statutory visits, prepare reports, contribute to child protection processes and attend meetings, reviews and relevant legal proceedings.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across social care, education, health, early help and other partner agencies to coordinate services and promote positive outcomes.
• Maintain accurate, timely recording and clear professional communication; manage competing priorities in a busy environment.

Skills

Assessment

Analytical skills

Professional curiosity

Relationship-building

Decision-making

Communication

Education

Social Work qualification

Job description

An exciting opportunity is available for a qualified Children’s Social Worker to join a Keeping Families Together Team in Darlington. This role is focused on supporting children and families to achieve positive, lasting change, helping children remain safely within their families wherever possible.

You will manage a varied caseload involving children and young people who may require additional support or protection. Working alongside families, you will complete thorough assessments, identify strengths and risks, develop effective plans and review progress regularly. You will build purposeful relationships with children, parents and carers, ensuring that their voices, wishes and feelings remain central to decision-making.

Key responsibilities will include undertaking statutory visits, preparing reports, contributing to child protection processes and attending meetings, reviews and relevant legal proceedings. You will work collaboratively with colleagues across social care, education, health, early help and other partner agencies to coordinate services and promote positive outcomes. Accurate, timely recording and clear professional communication will be essential, as will your ability to manage competing priorities in a busy environment.

Applicants must 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 or safeguarding setting, together with a sound understanding of relevant legislation, guidance and best practice. Experience of children in need, child protection or care proceedings would be advantageous.

You should be able to demonstrate sound assessment and analytical skills, professional curiosity and a commitment to strengths-based, relationship-led practice. The successful candidate will be resilient, organised and confident when making complex decisions, while remaining compassionate and respectful towards families. A valid driving licence and the ability to travel to meet the needs of the service may be required.

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference to children and families by promoting safety, stability and improved life chances. Applications are welcomed from social workers who are committed to collaborative practice and to helping families achieve sustainable change.