Experienced Social Worker (Cared For Team) - 37 Hours

Torbay Council; Torquay; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Golden Hello

Annual retention payment

Market Supplement

Student loan repayment

Professional registration support

Discounts with retailers

Subsidised parking

Cycle to Work

Health Cash Plan

Financial wellbeing

Coast lifestyle benefits

Job summary

Torbay Council is seeking an experienced Social Worker to join the Cared For Team. This permanent, full-time role focuses on safeguarding and supporting children in care. You will build relationships with children, families and foster carers, undertake statutory visits, and contribute to care planning and permanence planning.

The post offers a market supplement, relocation and retention payments, and a comprehensive benefits package. Interviews soon after the deadline.

Qualifications

• Social worker with degree and registration in England.
• Proven ability to engage with children, families and carers.
• Experience in child protection and care planning is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Undertake statutory visits and assess needs of children in care.
• Develop and review care plans and support permanence planning.
• Contribute to care reviews and collaborate with partners to improve outcomes.
• Build effective, trusting relationships with children, families and carers.

Skills

Assessment

Mediation

Organisational skills

Building relationships

Judgement under pressure

Education

Social Work degree

Reg. Social Work England

Tools

ASYE

Job description

Experienced Social Worker (Cared For Team) - 37 Hours

Application Deadline: 16 November 2026

Department: Childrens Services

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Torbay Council

Reporting To: Team Manager

Compensation: £41,403 - £48,704 / year

Description

The full time equivalent salary of £41,403 to £48,704 includes an amount for a market supplement ranging from £959 to £1,039 per year. This market supplement is reviewed annually.

Job Description & Person Specification >

• Market Supplement of up to £929
• Up to £11,000 Relocation Package
• Up to £1,500 Golden Hello
• Up to £1,500 Annual Retention Payment

Some payments are subject to successful completion of probation and applicable terms and conditions.

Help Shape Bright Futures for Children in Care.

Following our recent GOOD Ofsted rating, there has never been a better time to join Torbay Children's Services.

We're looking for passionate and experienced Social Workers to join our Cared For Team, working with children and young people in our care to help them achieve safety, stability, permanence and the best possible outcomes.

This is an opportunity to build meaningful, lasting relationships with children and young people, champion their voice, and support them to thrive. You'll work alongside families, foster carers, partner agencies and dedicated colleagues to ensure children receive the care, support and opportunities they deserve.

You’ll undertake statutory visits, develop and review care plans, support permanence planning, contribute to care reviews and work collaboratively to improve outcomes for children and young people across Torbay.

Why Choose Torbay?

At Torbay, we’re proud of our relationship-based approach and ambitious plans for the future. We know great social work happens when practitioners feel supported, valued and empowered to make a difference.

• Relationship-based, restorative practice.
• Supportive and reflective supervision.
• Manageable caseloads.
• Strong learning and development programme.
• Clear career progression pathways.
• Collaborative and visible leadership team.
• Recently rated GOOD by Ofsted.

About You

• A qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
• Have completed your ASYE.
• An experienced practitioner with at least two years post-qualification experience in children's social care.
• Skilled in building effective relationships with children, families and carers.
• Confident in assessment, care planning and permanence planning.
• Passionate about improving outcomes and life chances for children and young people.
• Committed to achieving the best possible outcomes through relationship-based practice.

What We Offer (subject to T&Cs)

• Relocation package of up to £15,000.
• Golden Hello payment of up to £3,000.
• Annual retention payments of up to £3,000.
• Market Supplement of up to £929.
• Student loan repayment support.
• Professional registration and subscription support.
• Discounts with over 750 retailers.
• Subsidised parking.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Health Cash Plan.
• Financial wellbeing support.
• Access to a comprehensive employee benefits package.
• Live and Work by the Coast.

Torbay, the English Riviera, offers an exceptional quality of life. With award-winning beaches, stunning coastline, beautiful countryside and affordable living, it’s the perfect place to build both your career and your lifestyle.

Join a service on an exciting improvement journey where children are at the heart of everything we do, relationships matter and social workers are empowered to make a real difference.

Regulated Activity

This post will be carrying out Regulated Activity. As such the post will require an Enhanced Criminal Record Check plus an additional Barred List Check. The check will reveal any spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions (which have not been filtered), any local Police information and a check of either the Adult, Child or Adult and Child Barred Lists.

Interview Schedule

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

Eligibility

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Skills

Essential:

• Able to assess situations with clarity and sensitivity and act professionally in crisis situations.
• Ability to demonstrate skills in mediation, negotiation and problem solving.
• Organisational/time management skills.
• Ability to work in an open and challenging way with families.
• Ability to exercise individual judgement and consult where and when appropriate.

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

Knowledge

Essential:

• General knowledge of the range of options available to children, young people and their families.
• Knowledge of appropriate child care legislation and how it affects children and young people.
• Knowledge of current CP practice, framework for Assessment and CLA materials.
• Awareness and understanding of relevant Child Care issues.
• Knowledge and understanding of application of an evidence base in practice.

Experience & Qualifications

Essential:

• Social Work degree qualification, e.g., Dip SW, CQSW, CSS or equivalent.
• Membership of Social Work England.
• Commitment to continued professional development.
• Direct work with Children Young People, Families and professionals.
• Experience of working independently and as part of a team.