Social Worker - Children In Care

Leaders in Care; Lower Blandford St Mary; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation scheme

28 days leave + holidays

Flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Staff networks

Modern offices near coast

Job summary

Leaders in Care is recruiting a Children's Social Worker at Level 2 or Level 3 to support a Children in Care service on the South Coast. You will manage varied caseloads, deliver high‑quality assessments and care plans, and work with families, carers and partner agencies to ensure safe, stable outcomes.

Level 2 starts at £45,529 and Level 3 at £49,817, with induction, supervision and clear progression routes. The role offers flexible working and modern offices near the coast.

Qualifications

• Significant frontline safeguarding Social Work experience.
• Experience managing complex children's casework.
• Strong assessment, analytical and decision‑making skills.

Responsibilities

• Managing a varied caseload of children and young people in care.
• Completing high-quality assessments, care plans and permanency plans.
• Responding confidently to complex safeguarding concerns and referrals.
• Working collaboratively with families, carers and multi‑agency partners.
• Promoting stability, safety and positive outcomes for children and young people.
• Supporting and mentoring less experienced colleagues and students at Level 3.
• Contributing to a reflective, learning‑focused team environment.

Skills

Frontline safeguarding

Complex casework

Assessment & decisions

Conflict resolution

Willingness to travel

Job description

Children's Social Worker - Level 2 / 3 Children in Care Team | South Coast

Level 2 - Band 10: Starting salary of £45,529

Level 3 - Band 11: Starting salary of £49,817Are you an experienced Children's Social Worker ready for a role where your work has a real and lasting impact?

We're recruiting Children's Social Workers at Level 2 and Level 3 to join a supportive and ambitious Children in Care service on the South Coast. Working as part of one of four established teams, you'll help ensure children and young people in care receive the safe, stable and nurturing support they deserve.

You'll work with children in care and care‑experienced young adults, building effective relationships with families, foster carers, partner agencies and education and health professionals. Your focus will be on delivering high-quality care planning, safeguarding practice and positive long‑term outcomes.

What you'll be doing

• Managing a varied caseload of children and young people in care


• Completing high-quality assessments, care plans and permanency plans


• Responding confidently to complex safeguarding concerns and referrals


• Working collaboratively with families, carers and multi‑agency partners


• Promoting stability, safety and positive outcomes for children and young people


• Supporting and mentoring less experienced colleagues and students at Level 3


• Contributing to a reflective, learning‑focused team environment

What we're looking for

• Significant frontline safeguarding Social Work experience


• Experience managing complex children's casework


• Strong assessment, analytical and decision‑making skills


• Confidence in conflict resolution and professional challenge


• A commitment to ongoing learning and development


• For Level 3 opportunities, experience mentoring colleagues or students is desirable


• Willingness to undertake Practice Education training where required


• Social Work England registration and the ability to travel across the local area

What's on offer

• Starting salary of £45,529 (Level 2) or £49,817 (Level 3)


• Full induction and Practice Fundamentals support


• Manageable caseloads and regular supervision


• Clear progression routes and excellent learning opportunities


• 28 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing after two years' service


• Flexible working arrangements


• Modern, refurbished office spaces across the area


• Employee Assistance Programme


• Staff network groups


• Relocation scheme, subject to approval

This is an excellent opportunity for experienced Social Workers looking to progress their career while enjoying the lifestyle benefits of working close to the coast