Social Worker - Family Safeguarding

Peterborough City Council; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in the UK is seeking a qualified social worker to join their Family Safeguarding team, supporting vulnerable children and families. The role offers a collaborative and empowering environment with opportunities for professional development. Candidates must have a degree in Social Work, current SWE registration, and a driving licence. Benefits include generous annual leave, pension scheme, and competitive salary with retention bonuses.

Benefits

Generous annual leave starting at 25 days + bank holidays

Vivup benefits including discounts

Access to equality, diversity, and inclusion network

Qualifications

• Current SWE registration.
• Driving licence and ability to travel between locations.
• Willingness to learn and maintain professional development.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the Family Safeguarding approach.
• Make informed, professional decisions.
• Identify risks and develop support plans.

Skills

Detail-oriented

Knowledge of current legislation and guidance

Team collaboration

Education

Diploma or degree in Social Work

Completion of ASYE

Job description

Overview

We are expanding the Family Safeguarding team to keep caseloads at a manageable level and to continue delivering improved outcomes for vulnerable and at-risk children. We are recruiting for a role that supports the Family Safeguarding approach, with multi-disciplinary teams and a track record of positive results. You are an experienced, qualified social worker (with current SWE registration) and want to be part of a flagship for children’s service innovation. You thrive in diverse, supportive teams and want to feel empowered to make important decisions, using creative solutions to solve challenging situations. You value easy access to complementary teams and services, ideally co-located in the same building. At Peterborough, Housing, Children with Disabilities, Adult Social Care, Legal and other teams are accessible within a purpose-built office that benefits from river and green space views and a city centre location close to road and rail links.

You have a diploma or degree in Social Work or equivalent and have completed your ASYE. You are diligent, detail-oriented, experienced yet willing to learn and maintain continuing professional development. You hold a driving licence and have the willingness and ability to travel between locations. You have in-depth knowledge of current legislation and guidance. You may be aware that in 2023 Peterborough’s Children’s Services received an OFSTED judgement of inadequate, but the report highlighted that children in need of protection and those with more complex needs receive appropriate support from the family safeguarding teams, and risks and needs are identified with appropriate interventions.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the Family Safeguarding approach within a multidisciplinary team to support vulnerable children and families.
• Engage with diverse teams and services to enable collaborative working and timely interventions.
• Make informed, professional decisions while working within legal and policy frameworks.
• Identify risks and needs, develop and implement appropriate support plans, and monitor progress.

Qualifications

• Qualified social worker with current SWE registration.
• Diploma or degree in Social Work or equivalent; completion of ASYE.
• Driving licence and ability to travel between locations.
• In-depth knowledge of current legislation and guidance.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave starting at 25 days + bank holidays, sick pay and Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Vivup benefits, including in-store and online discounts; Cycle to Work and Home & Electronics schemes.
• Option to buy up to 10 additional days of annual leave (pro-rata).
• Car lease scheme; flexible bank holiday usage; additional voluntary contributions (AVCs) to pension with tax/NIC savings.
• Development opportunities including apprenticeships; paid volunteering hours each year.
• Access to equality, diversity and inclusion network; Employee Recognition Awards.
• Market-leading salary with retention bonuses: 2.5% after 1 year, 7.5% after 2 years, 10% after 3 years, plus fixed annual lump sums thereafter, depending on grade.

Commitment to Equality

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to fostering diversity, advancing equity, and building an inclusive workplace for everyone. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and particularly encourage those from underrepresented groups, including disabled people, care leavers, and individuals from minority ethnic communities. Your unique perspectives and experiences are valued and will play a vital role in our success.