Experienced Social Worker (Care Proceedings) - 37 Hours

Torbay Council; Torquay; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package up to £15,000

Golden Hello

Annual retention payments up to £3,000

Market Supplement up to £929

Student loan repayment support

Professional subscription support

Discounts with over 750 retailers

Subsidised parking

Cycle to Work Scheme

Health Cash Plan

Financial wellbeing support

Job summary

Torbay Council in Torbay is seeking an Experienced Social Worker in Care Proceedings to join the Children’s Services team. You will lead safeguarding work, undertake assessments, and prepare court reports for care proceedings, guiding families through complex processes.

Essential qualifications include registration with Social Work England and ASYE completion, with at least 2 years post-qualification experience. A supportive leadership team and progression opportunities are offered.

Qualifications

• Essential: excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Mediation, negotiation and problem-solving abilities.
• Crisis situations: clear, sensitive judgement and professional conduct.
• Mentor others and promote ethical professional practice.
• Apply anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead work through the Public Law Outline (PLO) and care proceedings.
• Undertake assessments, develop care plans and prepare court reports.
• Collaborate with partner agencies to safeguard children and families.
• Manage risk within statutory frameworks and make evidenced decisions.

Skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Effective communication

Mediation and negotiation

Problem solving under pressure

Mentoring others

Anti-discriminatory practice

Education

ASYE completed

Job description

Experienced Social Worker (Care Proceedings) - 37 Hours

Application Deadline: 16 November 2026

Department: Childrens Services

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Torbay Council

Reporting To: Team Manager

Compensation: £40,444 - £47,665 / year

Description

Job Description & Person Specification >

Market Supplement of up to £929, Up to £15,000 Relocation Package, Up to £3,000 Golden Hello, Up to £3,000 Annual Retention Payment (some of these figures are subject to a successful probationary period). Looking for a role where you can make a real difference and feel valued for the work you do? Following our recent GOOD Ofsted rating, we're looking for experienced Social Workers to join our Care Proceedings Team and help us achieve the best outcomes for children and families across Torbay. You'll work with children, young people and families where there are significant safeguarding concerns, leading work through the Public Law Outline (PLO) and care proceedings. You'll undertake assessments, develop care plans, prepare court reports and work closely with partner agencies to safeguard children and create lasting change.

Why Torbay?

• Relationship-based, restorative practice.
• Supportive, reflective supervision.
• Manageable workloads.
• Strong learning and development offer.
• Clear career progression opportunities.
• Collaborative and experienced leadership team.

About You

• A qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
• ASYE completed.
• Experienced in child protection, safeguarding or court work (minimum 2 years post-qualification).
• Confident working within statutory frameworks and managing risk.
• Passionate about improving outcomes for children and families.

What We Offer (subject to T’s & C’s)

• Relocation package up to £15,000.
• £3,000 Golden Hello.
• Annual retention payments up to £3,000.
• Market Supplement of up to £929.
• Student loan repayment support.
• Professional subscription support.
• Discounts with over 750 retailers.
• Subsidised parking.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Health Cash Plan.
• Financial wellbeing support.
• And much more.

Live and Work by the Coast

Torbay, the English Riviera, combines award-winning beaches, stunning coastline and a fantastic quality of life with affordable housing and excellent transport links.

Join a service on an exciting improvement journey where relationships, ambition and children come first.

This post meets the requirements for an Enhanced Criminal Record Check. This will show spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions which have not been filtered in line with legislation, plus any information held by local Police that is considered relevant to the role.

For an informal chat please contact Krystal Erasmus on 01803 208573 or [e-mail].

Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 30th November 2026.

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

At times there is a need to close our adverts earlier than the date specified, however this advert will not close before 31st August.

Skills

Essential:

• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills.
• Ability to demonstrate skills in mediation, negotiation and problem solving.
• Able to assess situations with clarity and sensitivity and act professionally in crisis situations.
• Ability to mentor others that upholds and promotes the ethical principles and values that guide professional practice and thereby ensures compliance with policies.
• Ability to implement anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive principles in all areas of work practice.

This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

Knowledge

Essential:

• Good understanding of the full range of activities delivered by the Authority and partners in relation to children, young people and families.
• Has a developed knowledge of Social Care policies and procedures, and makes themselves continually aware of new Child Care legislation and National Guidance.
• Awareness of effective management practices.
• Thorough understanding of current legislation and guidance and developments in services to children young people and families.
• Demonstrates an advanced and detailed knowledge of child development, attachment theory, anti discriminatory practice, the Framework for assessment of children in needs and their families, social work theory and methods.

Experience & Qualifications

Essential:

• Minimum of 2 years post qualification experience of working with children and families in the context of current legislation and government initiatives.
• Two years post qualification experience of working in a local authority setting.
• For Social work professionals, experience of complex Child Protection cases and Court proceedings under the Children’s Act 1989.
• Experience of working under pressure and making robust evidenced informed decisions.
• Demonstrates advanced and detailed skills in direct work with children and young persons, carers and families.