Experienced Social Worker (Cared for Children & Safeguarding)

TAMESIDE COUNCIL; Tameside; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Tameside Council is seeking an experienced Social Worker to join the Children’s Services team, dedicated to safeguarding and improving outcomes for children and families. You will work within a Heart of Support framework, emphasising compassion, curiosity, collaboration, conversation and courage in every case.

You will be supported by an experienced Team Manager, with induction, supervision, and access to learning opportunities, including systemic practice training, to develop your skills and

Qualifications

• Qualified social worker registered with Social Work England.
• Experience in relational and strengths-based work with children and families.
• Commitment to high-quality, child-centred practice and improving outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Shape practice and champion excellent social work across the service.
• Work with families to achieve positive outcomes and safeguard children.
• Collaborate with teams and contribute to ongoing improvement.

Skills

Qualified social worker

Relational practice

Equality & inclusion

Influences across services

Education

Social Work England registration

Job description

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: Grade H. Scale 29 - £41,177 to Scale 34 - £46,579 with a professional bar at Scale 31 - £43,149**

Hours Per Week: 36hours

Base Location: Tameside One, Ashton-under-Lyne / Various across Tameside

Assessment Date: Interviews will be scheduled as applications are received

• Family Help
• Safeguarding
• Cared for children
• Children with disabilities

The Role

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children and families? Do you bring compassion, curiosity, collaboration, conversation, and courage to your practice? If so, Tameside is looking for you.

This is an exciting time to join Tameside Children’s Services. As we continue to strengthen and develop our services, we are seeking an experienced Social Worker whose knowledge, skills and commitment will be highly valued as part of our dedicated workforce. This role offers the opportunity to make a significant contribution to achieving positive outcomes for children and families, while drawing on your expertise to support high-quality practice and contribute to our ongoing improvement journey. As an experienced practitioner, you will play an important role in shaping practice, sharing knowledge, and championing excellent social work across the service.

At the heart of this role is our Heart of Support Practice Approach, underpinned by the 5 C’s – Compassion, Curiosity, Collaboration, Conversation and Courage. These values are the golden thread in how we work with children, families and each other.

You will be supported by an experienced Team Manager through a comprehensive induction programme, regular reflective supervision, and access to a wide range of learning and development opportunities, including systemic practice training. We are committed to helping you develop your skills, build on your strengths, and reach your full potential.

To further support your practice, Tameside has invested in Beam (formerly Magic Notes), helping to reduce administrative tasks and maximise time spent with children and families.

About You

We are seeking an experienced social worker who is

• A qualified social worker registered with Social Work England.
• Demonstrates experience of working in a relational and strengths-based way with children and families requiring help and protection.
• Passionate about high‑quality, child‑centred practice and improving outcomes.

• Inspires others, builds strong relationships and influences across services.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

About Us

Hear from Jill Colbert OBE, Director of Children’s Services

“When I first joined the council at the beginning of 2025 I was instantly charmed by the warmth, openness, and energy of my colleagues.”

“The reason why I came to Tameside was because I knew we could do fantastic things for our families here.”

“Whilst we’re currently a children’s service on a significant improvement journey, I’m proud of the progress we’ve made together, and this is already making a difference for our children.”

“I know from the feedback from our Commissioner, Ofsted and our Strategic Improvement Partner, that families are seeing and feeling the impact of the thoughtful and compassionate support delivered by our workforce.”

“We know that if we keep children at the centre of our thinking and our actions, we will create meaningful change for them that lasts.”

“We are also growing and investing in our future. We have a range of specialist services for children, giving social workers quick access to expert help that makes complex decisions easier and supports better outcomes. Our Social Work Academy is led by people who bring passion to learning. We are strengthening our progression pathways so that staying in Tameside is rewarded and recognised. We have invested in innovation and improvement so that we can grow services and support for families that we can sustain, from family hubs through to complex safeguarding.”

“Together, we are creating a proud, inclusive, and safe environment where great practice can truly flourish. And I feel incredibly privileged to lead this journey alongside such dedicated colleagues.”

“Be a part of something great, be a part of our improvement journey and join us at Team Tameside.”

At the heart of this role is our Heart of Support Practice Approach, underpinned by the 5 C’s Compassion, Curiosity, Collaboration, Conversation and Courage. These values are the golden thread in how we work with children, families and each other. You will champion the Heart of Support and play a pivotal role in embedding systemic practice across the service.

We are committed to safeguarding and championing the welfare of children, young people, and families. Protecting and empowering our communities is at the heart of everything we do, and we expect every member of our team to share that commitment and help us make a meaningful difference.

This position is subject to Enhanced with Barred List Disclosure Procedures. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expect all staff to share this commitment.

This post is a designated customer facing role under the fluency duty and requires a specified level of spoken English.

All appointments will be to the bottom salary point in the grade with annual incremental progression each April until the grade maximum is reached. Where an individual can provide evidence that their existing salary in a relevant role surpasses the grade starting salary, a higher entry salary will be considered, subject to the professional grade development criteria also being met if that point is higher than the bar point.

** This post is classified as being in a professional job category. As such the grade for the job has a professional grade development bar which employees can progress through subject to meeting the following criteria:

1. Relevant professional qualification for the job role at Level 6 or above, AND

2. Minimum of 2 years post qualification experience in the role, AND

3. Maintained membership of a regulated body where this is a requirement to practice in the role where applicable, AND

4. Professional standards practised to the highest expected level.

Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to offer sponsorship.

We are committed to developing a culture which respects individuals, appreciates difference and allows everyone regardless of background to reach their full potential. We are proud to be an accredited disability confident employer. Reasonable Adjustments will be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 in relation to the Job Role Criteria.

Our rewards and benefits package can be viewed here

For further information about this role please contact Kayleigh Treanor, Head of Quality, Practice Assurance and Principal Social Worker on 0161 342 3398 or [e-mail]