Social Worker (Children & Families)

Bristol City Corporation; West of England; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol City Council is seeking a full-time social worker for the Children in Care Service at City Hall, Bristol. You will support children and young people from 0-25, and work within a multi-agency network to ensure safe, timely care planning.

Enhanced DBS checks are required, and ASYE completion is essential. The role involves co-productive work with children, families and professionals, recording progress, and driving care plans toward reunification when safe.

Qualifications

• Must have a social work qualification and completed ASYE.
• Enhanced DBS Check required.
• Ability to work with children in care and care leavers within a multi-agency setting.

Responsibilities

• Work with around 18 children in a co-productive approach with children, professionals, families and carers.
• Keep up-to-date records to help children understand their journey into and through care.
• Write care and pathway plans that are aspirational and timely.
• Work with children in foster homes, kinship care, children's homes and semi-independent living.
• Respond to trauma-informed and fast-paced needs; be creative in response.
• Chair meetings and support the multi-agency network to manage risk.

Skills

Trauma informed

Creative

Chair meetings

Record keeping

Multi-agency collaboration

Education

Social work qualification

ASYE completed

Job description

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

Job reference VAC009070 Date posted 06/11/2026 Application closing date 23/11/2026 Location City Hall College Green City Centre Bristol BS1 5TR Salary £44,253 - £47,665 Package Blank Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time Job category/type Social Care Attachments Job Description SW (2) (1).pdf Person Specification SW (3) (1).pdf

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full time permanent social worker to join the Children in Care Service. Please note you require a social work qualification to apply for this role, and you need to have completed your ASYE.

Children in Care Service supports children and young people aged 0-25 and their families, through their journey in care and as care leavers. We are made up of two services, a post 16 service which supports children entering care at 16 and 17, our unaccompanied children and care leavers and a service for children in care up to 18. The children in care teams have a team manager, up to six social workers, two family support workers and an administrator.

We are based at B Bond in an open plan office overlooking the river and Ashton Court. We have high aspirations for our children and are committed to providing services to achieve the best possible outcomes.

In our last Ofsted inspection we received GOOD for both our children in care and our care leaver services. A quote from the report: Children’s social workers visit them on a regular basis. They make determined efforts to get to know children. Social workers take time to understand children’s wishes and feelings. They are there when children need them most. They show dedication, care, and affection during times of upset and distress. For example, social workers have sensitively supported children to attend the funerals of close family members.

You will work with around 18 children in a co-productive approach with the children, professionals, families, and carers to support them to have the best opportunities.

You will keep up to date records which will help your children understand their journey into and through care.

You will ensure that they have the networks to support them during childhood and into adulthood and write care and pathway plans that are aspirational and meet need in a timely way.

You will work with children who are being cared for in foster homes (including kinship), children’s homes and children in semi-independent accommodation (children live mostly in and around Bristol, but also further afield).

The work can be reactive and fast paced and you will need to be trauma informed and creative in response.

The role is diverse, and you will need the ability to work on your own, support the multi-agency network to hold risk, chair meetings relating to your children and have the skills to challenge constructively.

We will support you through the career progression pathway and you will have opportunities to become involved in projects and areas of interest to support this.

In Children in Care, we recognise the importance of the child’s whole network in building security and safety.

We believe coming into care is an extension of the network our children already have, and a large piece of our work is to support and maintain this with a view to reunifying our children with their families if and when it is safe to do so.

We are creative in our approach to be certain we meet the needs of our children. Our practice is underpinned by signs of safety and we encourage a systemic and reflective approach.

‘You cannot underestimate how important you [social worker] are to a child in care and the difference you can really make’.

‘It is an absolute privilege to be involved in the life of a child a care and walk with them on their care journey’.

Please note that this role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.

Unfortunately we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role

Why Bristol City Council?

At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high-profile organisation.

Join us and you’ll receive an excellent rewards package including membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you’ll be working in a supportive environment where you’ll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.

This role will require regular out of county transport

We’re a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We'll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.

Bristol City Council strives to have a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, we are therefore committed to ensuring diversity in our hiring process. We welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. We particularly welcome applications from Young people, Black and racially minoritised Disabled, LGBTQ+ and Male candidates who are currently under-represented within this Service of Bristol City Council. Appointments will be made on merit.

Thepersonal information section (including your name) you’ll complete as part of the application form will not be visible to hiring managers, but is used confidentially to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.