Social Worker - Child Protection and Cared for Children Teams

Knowsley Council; Knowsley; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Flexible and hybrid working

Leadership support

Social Work Academy

CPD & supervision

Generous annual leave

Career progression

Job summary

Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council is seeking Social Workers for the Child Protection and Cared for Children Teams in Knowsley. Hybrid working, full-time, 36 hours per week, with ASYE progress and registration with Social Work England.

Join a supportive team focused on safeguarding and care planning, with opportunities to develop specialist skills, supervision, and progression pathways within Knowsley’s Social Work Academy.

Qualifications

• Completed ASYE and registered with Social Work England.
• 12–24 months post-qualification experience in social work.
• Strong assessment, analysis and communication skills.
• Commitment to ongoing professional learning and development.

Responsibilities

• Undertake assessments and develop plans for children and families.
• Build strong relationships with children, families and partner agencies.
• Support safety, wellbeing and welfare through core statutory duties.
• Contribute to permanence planning and long-term outcomes for looked-after children.
• Collaborate with the Help and Protect and Cared for Children teams to deliver focused support.

Skills

ASYE completed

Assessment skills

Job description

We are looking for driven and passionate people to work with us to deliver real benefits for our residents and businesses and become part of the Knowsley Journey

Social Worker - Child Protection and Cared for Children Teams

• Location: Nutgrove Villa, Westmorland Road, Huyton , Knowsley , L36 6GA, Hybrid Working
• Contract: Permanent
• Working Pattern: Full Time
• Hours: 36 hours per week.
• Closing Date: 15/11/2026 at 23:59
• Reference: CVP 0724

At Knowsley Children's Services we are investing in the next generation of social workers. If you've completed your ASYE and are looking for the right environment to develop your skills, build confidence and progress your career we'd love to hear from you.

You’ve completed your ASYE and is building confidence as a social worker. You're developing your practice, taking on more complex work and thinking about where you can truly grow your career.

Here at Knowsley, we're looking for passionate Social Workers in the first stages of their post-ASYE journey to join our Child Protection and Cared for Children teams.

These opportunities are ideal for practitioners with around 12-24 months of post-qualification experience who are ready to consolidate their learning, develop specialist skills and take the next step towards becoming an experienced practitioner.

If you're looking for a Local Authority that will invest in your development, provide support and give you the opportunity to make a meaningful difference to children and young people, we'd love to hear from you.

Why Knowsley?

We have made significant investment in our Children's Services. Our focus is simple: creating the conditions where Social Workers can do their best work with children and families.

Here in Knowsley, we are committed to:

• Buildingstrong relationships with children, families and partner agencies
• Providing a visible and approachable leadership team who know their workforce Manageable caseloads supported through regular oversight
• A culture of learning, reflection and continuous development
• Opportunities to progress and build a long-term career
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements

We're proud of the supportive culture we've created and the investment we've made in developing our workforce through our growing Social Work Academy and clearly defined career progression pathways.

The Roles

Help and Protect Teams

As a Social Worker in our Help and Protect (Child Protection) Service, you will work directly with children and families where there are concerns about safety, wellbeing and welfare.

You'll undertake assessments, develop plans, build strong relationships with children and families, and work alongside partners to ensure children receive the right support at the right time.

This is an excellent opportunity to continue building confidence in statutory practice while working within a supportive team environment.

Cared for Children Teams

Our Cared for Children teams support children and young people who are in the care of the Local Authority.

You'll develop meaningful relationships with children and young people, support permanence planning, work closely with carers and partner agencies, and help ensure that children in care achieve the best possible outcomes in all areas of their lives.

This role offers the opportunity to develop expertise in relationship-based social work, corporate parenting and long-term planning for children and young people.

We’d love to hear from you if you:

• Have successfully completed your ASYE.
• Are registered with Social Work England.
• Have a passion for improving outcomes for children and young people.
• Are committed to developing their practice and continuing their professional learning.
• Build positive and effective relationships with children, families and professionals.
• Demonstrate strong assessment, analysis and communication skills.
• Are motivated, resilient and committed to making a difference.

Whether your experience has been in safeguarding, children in care, assessment or family support services, we would welcome your application.

What We Offer

Explore our full benefits: https://www.knowsley.gov.uk/yes/our-offer

• Competitive salary and generous benefits package.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Strong leadership support and management oversight.
• Access to our Social Work Academy and progression pathways.
• Reflective supervision and continuous professional development.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Excellent opportunities for career progression and advancement.

What makes Knowsley different?

At Knowsley, we know the years immediately after ASYE are some of the most important in a social worker's career.

That's why we've invested in a dedicated Social Work Academy, providing access to:

• Group supervision and action learning sets
• Mentoring and coaching
• Structured progression pathways

We're committed to helping social workers build the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to progress into Experienced Social Worker roles through our structured development pathways and support from the Social Work Academy.

This is an exciting time to join us and help shape the future of Children's Services in Knowsley while building a rewarding and successful career.

We welcome applications from residents and beyond, regardless of background, belief or identity, recognising the value that diversity brings to our organisation. We particularly welcome applications from individuals from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and candidates with disabilities as we acknowledge their underrepresentation in our workforce.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applicants.

Please note sponsorship is not available for this role.

You must hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle for work purposes, as the role involves travelling to locations across the borough and wider region.

We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from disabled candidates. If you are unable to meet the driving requirement because of a disability or medical condition covered by the Equality Act 2010, please contact us to discuss whether reasonable adjustments or alternative arrangements may enable you to undertake the role.

Please note if a CV and supporting statement does not reflect the person specification it is unlikely to be shortlisted.