Senior Social Worker: Family Help Leader

South Gloucestershire Council; Kingswood; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Wellbeing support

Staff discounts

Job summary

South Gloucestershire Council’s Family Help service is seeking a Senior Social Worker to lead and influence practice in a multi‑disciplinary team in Kingswood. You will manage the most complex cases, assess risk, plan interventions and coordinate multi‑agency support to safeguard children and families.

You will provide supervision and guidance to staff, support reflective learning and contribute to service development.

Qualifications

• It is essential that you hold a recognised social work qualification and current registration with Social Work England, along with a relevant post‑qualifying award.
• You will have significant post‑qualification experience within a local authority children’s services setting, including evidence‑based work with vulnerable children and families.
• Detailed knowledge of children’s legislation and practice, with strong skills in assessment, risk analysis, safety planning and complex statutory decision‑making.
• Experience of staff supervision, mentoring or practice development and the ability to support others through constructive challenge and reflective learning.
• Effective communication and relationship-building to handle difficult and sensitive issues with children, families, colleagues and partner agencies.

Responsibilities

• Holding the most complex cases across Child in Need, Child Protection and early Children in Care, completing high-quality assessment, planning, intervention and review.
• Using professional judgement to make robust, timely decisions where there is risk of significant harm, balancing safety, rights and statutory responsibilities.
• Facilitating family group decision-making, strengthening family networks and coordinating multi‑agency support.
• Providing professional oversight, supervision, mentoring and practice guidance to staff, students and less experienced social workers.
• Leading group learning, workshops or a specialist area of practice and contributing to service development, policy and performance.
• Directly managing a small number of alternatively qualified practitioners and supporting the Team Manager with service quality and team performance.

Skills

Leadership

Assessment & Risk

Relationship-based practice

Staff supervision

Communication skills

Education

Social work qualification

Job description

South Gloucestershire Council’s Family Help service is seeking a Senior Social Worker to lead and influence practice in a multi‑disciplinary team in Kingswood. You will manage the most complex cases, assess risk, plan interventions and coordinate multi‑agency support to safeguard children and families.

You will provide supervision and guidance to staff, support reflective learning and contribute to service development.