Experienced Social Worker

Cheshire West And Chester Council; Chester; Hybrid; GBP 31,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Flexible and hybrid working

Strong leadership and supervision

Learning and development opportunities

Trauma-informed practice model

Free parking

Office facilities and refreshments

Registration paid

Flexi leave

Career progression opportunities

Job summary

Cheshire West and Chester Council is seeking an experienced Social Worker with 3+ years post-qualification to join our Children's Social Care teams. You will manage complex cases in Family Help, Safeguarding or Children in Care, build strong relationships with families and professionals, and lead on safeguarding interventions.

We offer flexible and hybrid working, strong leadership, reflective supervision and excellent development opportunities to support career progression.

Qualifications

• Three years post-qualification experience in Children’s Social Care.
• Strong assessment, intervention and risk management abilities.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with families and professionals.
• Willingness to support and supervise less experienced colleagues.
• Commitment to high-quality, child-centred practice.

Responsibilities

• Manage more complex cases within Family Help, Safeguarding or Children in Care teams.
• Develop and maintain relationships with children, families and multi-agency partners.
• Lead on safeguarding interventions and ensure high-quality practice.

Skills

Assessment skills

Risk management

Child protection experience

Communication

Leadership support to colleagues

Education

Social Work degree

Job description

Teams: Family Help, Family Help Safeguarding and Children in Care Teams

Locations: Ellesmere Port, Chester and Winsford

Use your experience to make a lasting difference.

Are you an experienced Social Worker with at least three years post-qualification experience looking for a local authority where excellent practice is recognised, valued and supported?

At Cheshire West and Chester Council, we are looking for skilled and compassionate social workers to join our Children's Social Care teams. This is an opportunity to influence positive change for children and families whilst helping shape the future of a service that continues to evolve and improve.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is a place where everyone can Thrive – through our core values of Teamwork, Honesty, Respect, Innovation, Value for Money and Empowerment.

Working within our Family Help, Family Help Safeguarding or Children in Care Teams, you will manage more complex work, build strong relationships with children and families, and take a leading role in achieving positive outcomes for some of our most vulnerable children.

We are seeking social workers who:

• Are passionate advocates for children and young people.
• Have strong assessment, intervention and risk management skills.
• Can build trusting relationships with families and professionals.
• Want to support and develop less experienced colleagues.
• Are committed to delivering high-quality, child-centred practice.

This is an exciting period of transformation as we embed the Families First Partnership Programme, respond to emerging Care reforms, strengthening our locality-based services and delivering coordinated, trauma-informed support to families.

We recognise that experienced social workers want to spend their time making meaningful interventions, using their skills, knowledge and expertise to manage increased complexity and risk, and working alongside colleagues within their teams and multi-agency partners to make a real difference to the children and families they work with. That is why we have invested in Magic Notes, an AI-assisted tool, allowing practitioners to save an average of six hours per week and focus on direct work with children and families.

Our culture is built on support, collaboration and continuous improvement. Staff consistently tell us they feel valued, trusted and empowered to challenge and innovate. We are proud that many of our current leaders have progressed through the organisation, demonstrating our commitment to career development and recognising talent.

If you are looking for an authority where your experience will be valued and your work will genuinely change lives, we would love to hear from you.

What we offer

• Competitive salary package
• Flexible and hybrid working
• Strong and supportive leadership
• High-quality reflective supervision
• Excellent learning and development opportunities
• Trauma-informed and systemic practice model
• Free parking at all office locations
• Bright, modern office accommodation including free tea and coffee
• Social Work England registration paid
• Up to days flexi leave per year in addition to annual leave
• Opportunities to progress into Senior Social Worker and management roles

Salary: Grade SCP - (£, - £,)