Experienced Locality Social Worker

Cyngor Caerdydd/Cardiff Council; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market supplement £5,000

Hybrid working

Training and supervision

Annual leave 28-33 days

Job summary

Cardiff Council is seeking experienced Social Workers to join the Safeguarding and Children services. The role focuses on robust assessment, outcome-driven planning and effective interventions to support children and families within a strengths-based framework.

You will operate within locality teams across Cardiff, engaging with multi‑agency partners to deliver positive outcomes. Training and supervision are emphasised, with ongoing opportunities for progression in a city recognised as UNICEF

Qualifications

• A degree in Social Work is essential for this role, with strong assessment and the ability to write concise records and reports.
• Experience in safeguarding and child protection is required.
• Ability to work with court proceedings and multi-agency colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Support children and young people through robust assessment, outcome-focused planning and effective intervention.
• Work within a restorative practice approach and in partnership with families and multi‑agency colleagues.
• Contribute to safeguarding and child protection priorities across the locality teams.

Skills

Safeguarding experience

Court proceedings experience

Assessment skills

Record/write concise reports

Communication skills

Teamwork

IT skills

Education

Degree in Social Work

Job description

All of our frontline positions attract a market supplement of £5000 per annum additional to the stated salary paid monthly on top of your wages.

Cardiff benefits from being the capital of Wales and is a growing city with a diverse population. The children of Cardiff need social workers who can respond to the diversity of needs and experiences which in turn offers social workers the opportunity to develop expertise and to lead practice within Wales.

Cardiff offers the opportunity to grow and develop through high quality training, regular and effective supervision, and a wide variety of opportunities to pursue career development, for example just this year we have 10 internal employee’s progress to higher positions within our Social Work teams.

We have resigned our services to follow the child’s journey and created locality teams that enable workers to link closely with communities and local services. There is a healthy culture of learning, support and family across our amazing social work teams.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the service which puts the individual at the heart of our work. The teams work from a strengths-based (Signs of Safety) approach to meet the needs of young people and their families. We have a diverse variety of casework, individual, dedicated and regular senior management support alongside progression opportunities for the successful candidates.

Cardiff is one of the fastest growing cities in Britain and is the first city in the UK to be declared as a UNICEF Child Friendly City that places the rights of children and young people at the head of our policies and strategies. Parents have the most significant influence on children and on their future lives. It is our belief that outcomes for children are best when they are supported to grow and achieve within their own families. This belief has driven the ‘Think Family’ approach which looks at the family as a whole and co‑ordinates support across the public services, tailored to each family’s needs and strengths. If you are interested in being part of Cardiff’s journey to becoming one of the most vibrant and successful cities within the UK that puts Children first with the ambition of being a lead force behind practice development in Wales, we would be excited to hear from you.

About the job

Benefits offered

Cardiff is frequently found at the top of lists of best cities in the UK to live in so come join us and see what we can offer.

• A generous annual leave entitlement starting at 28 days per year to a maximum of 33 days per year after 5 years, with the option to purchase additional annual leave to a maximum of 10 days.
• Our working culture is flexible, with a flexi scheme allowing you to work to a schedule that suits you
• Hybrid working – supporting you to flexibly deliver your role whether on visits, from an office or your home
• With effect from 1st April 2026, these roles attract a market supplement of £5,000 (full time equivalent). This payment is reviewed on a 12 monthly basis.

This is just some of what Cardiff has to offer, take a look at our Social Work website for more information about all our benefits and hear from some of our social workers, talking about why cardiff is the place to be.

Cardiff Safeguarding and Children looked after teams are now based in 3 localities across the city at St Mellons in the East, Fairwater in the North and Cardiff Bay in the South enabling staff to be based within the communities that they serve. Within the team's geographical area you will support children and young people through robust assessment, outcome focused planning and effective intervention to support them in achieving positive outcomes within their families and communities. Working within a restorative practice approach, you will work in partnership with families and multi‑agency colleagues in intervening to address both the presenting concerns and underlying difficulties.

What We Are Looking For From You

We are looking for experienced Social Workers.

The successful candidates must have robust safeguarding, child protection experience and be confident with court proceedings.

As a child protection social worker, you must be flexible and able to work under pressure.

Due to the nature of the role candidates must have front line post qualifying experience in child protection services.

A degree in Social Work is essential for this role, as well as excellent skills in assessment and the ability to write concise records and reports.

You will be a good team player, have excellent communication, organisation skills and IT skills.

We are also advertising for Grade 7 Social Workers. Although you are applying for this role we will also consider you for the Grade 7 post and the linked salary should we consider, through the interview process, your skills and experience more suited to that role.

Additional information

With effect from 1st April 2026, these roles attract a market supplement of £5,000 (full time equivalent). This payment is reviewed on a 12 monthly basis.

These posts are subject to Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced checks.

This post has a requirement for registration with Social Care Wales.

Safeguarding and Child Protection are key priorities for the Council. We aim to support children and vulnerable adults to ensure they are as safe as they can possibly be. Our services and schools are committed to ensuring the safety and protection of all children and vulnerable adults, and will take action to safeguard their well‑being, and acknowledge that children and vulnerable adults have a right to protection. This is supported in the general ethos of the Council and all schools.

This vacancy is suitable for post share.

We welcome applications in both English and Welsh. Applications received in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than English applications.

We understand you might use AI and other resources for your application; however, please ensure all information you provide is factually accurate, truthful, original and does not include ideas or work that is not your own.

Please note the Council does not accept CV's. When completing the supporting information section of your application, please ensure you refer to the below located on our website :

Important information you need read in order to complete your application:-

Job Category Social Services - Childrens

Working Pattern/Contract Type Full Time Permanent