Senior Social Worker - Children's Specialist Support Team

Bracknell Forest Council; Bracknell; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Bracknell is seeking a Senior Social Worker to join their disability team. This full-time, permanent role focuses on improving the lives of children with complex needs. Candidates should have Social Work England registration and substantial statutory children's social care experience. Responsibilities include holding a caseload, assessing family needs, and mentoring less experienced colleagues. The interview date is set for January 19, 2026. A DBS check is required for successful candidates.

Qualifications

• Must hold current Social Work England registration.
• Substantial post-qualification experience in children’s social care.
• Experience of working with children with disabilities is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Hold a caseload and provide assessment and family support.
• Promote listening to children and act on their views.
• Develop and maintain accurate case records.

Skills

Social Work registration

Assessment and analytical skills

Knowledge of legislation and policies

Ability to work independently

Education

Post-qualification experience in statutory children's social care

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Social Worker with a strong background in safeguarding to become part of our disability team, supporting and improving the lives of children and young people with complex and specialist needs. This full-time, permanent position offers the opportunity to use your skills to make a meaningful impact every day.

To learn more about what it is like to work with us, take a look at our team's video.

If you would like an informal chat or a tour of the office prior to submitting your application, please contact [e-mail] to arrange a suitable time.

About you

You must hold current Social Work England registration and have substantial post-qualification experience in statutory children’s social care, including children and family social work, covering areas such as child protection and children in need.

To succeed in this role, you will have knowledge of relevant legislation, guidance, policies and thresholds. You will be able to demonstrate strong assessment and analytical skills with experience of working in partnership with children and their families, and other professionals, to produce needs‑led plans for children and young people. You will have the ability to work both independently and effectively as part of a team.

Experience of working with children with disabilities and complex needs is desirable but not essential as we will support you to develop this specialist knowledge.

About the team

The Children’s Specialist Support Team (CSST) is a highly skilled team working with children who have disabilities and/or complex health needs. We are an experienced, friendly and supportive team who focus on ensuring that children are at the centre of all we do. We provide a range of services for children with additional needs and those who are assessed to have additional vulnerability. This includes the council’s statutory responsibilities for disabled children in need in the community (including care packages and short breaks).

The team is an eclectic mix of different service areas covering a wide breadth of work with children with disabilities, Occupational Therapy and Short Breaks (including Larchwood, our short break respite unit). Taking a child first and social model approach, partnership and collaborative working is the key to our success.

The team is well integrated with local partners and works alongside specialist workers in domestic abuse, mental health and substance misuse, often in co‑located settings.

You can read what our team have to say about working at Bracknell Forest via this link: Children's social care jobs | Bracknell Forest Council.

Key responsibilities

• To hold a caseload and provide assessment, care planning, intervention and family support in line with expertise commensurate to a senior practitioner.
• To promote listening to children at every opportunity, ensuring their views are heard, recorded and acted upon in an appropriate and timely manner and to ensure life journey work is completed with children and young people in accordance with their age and understanding.
• To assess and identify the needs of children and families referred and negotiate delivery of services by determining how these needs can be best met in accordance with statutory responsibilities and council policies using best value principles.
• To work alongside partner agencies e.g., voluntary and statutory and within the context of the care plan for children and families to ensure the provision of appropriate and effective services.
• To develop and maintain accurate case records and comply with the department's policies, procedures and guidelines including data protection and GDPR.
• To participate in regular reflective supervision and be able to set clear goals and intervention strategies.
• To support and mentor less experienced colleagues including newly qualified Social Workers, Family workers and Social Work Students.

Interview date

Interviews will be held on 19th January 2026. Interviews will be conducted in person, providing candidates with the chance to personally meet the team and experience our work environment.

We will be reviewing applications regularly and reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified. To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible.

Please note AI is prohibited during the interview, any candidate using AI will be withdrawn from consideration.

Want to ask us a question?

For an informal discussion or to ask any questions about this role, please contact: Benigna Amago - Assistant Team Manager - [e-mail].

Bracknell Forest Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect everyone employed with us to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to a DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check as part of our pre‑employment checks process.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate experience of working within the current Social Care System and Framework. We can only accept applications from candidates currently residing in the UK. Candidates currently residing in the UK who require sponsorship to work are encouraged to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) based on the relevant criteria. Please be aware that sponsorship availability varies and is subject to eligibility requirements and budget limitations. As a result, we cannot guarantee sponsorship for all roles and will evaluate sponsorship requests on a case‑by‑case basis.

No agencies please.