SOCIAL WORKER * Grade 7 - Newly & recently qualified Social Workers * - Localities

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

Benefits offered by this job

Market supplement £5000 p.a.

Generous annual leave 28–33 days

Hybrid working

Flexible working culture

Career progression opportunities

Job summary

Cardiff Council is offering permanent, full-time social worker roles for final-year social work students and recent graduates. You will be supported by a dedicated mentor and independent practice assessors to guide progression through a structured training program.

The role embraces a Think Family approach, flexible hybrid working, and strong developmental opportunities as Cardiff remains a UNICEF Child Friendly City with a proactive staff development culture.

Qualifications

• Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced checks.
• Registration with Social Care Wales is required.
• Full valid driving licence and access to a car.
• Ability to write concise records and reports with good assessment skills.

Responsibilities

• Support children and families using a Think Family approach.
• Conduct robust assessments and develop outcome-focused plans.
• Collaborate with multi-agency colleagues to address risks and needs.
• Produce clear, concise records and reports for case files.
• Engage with training, supervision and professional development opportunities.

Skills

Assessment

Report writing

Communication

IT literacy

Teamwork

Education

Final year Social Work student

Tools

MS Office

Records management tools

Job description

All of our frontline positions attract a market supplement of £5000 per annum additional to the stated salary paid monthly on top of your wages.

Social Work Students in your final year of University?

Immediately secure a permanent Social Worker position

ready for when you qualify next year.

Competitive Salary & Market Supplement

UNICEF Child Friendly City

'Think Family’ approach

Generous annual leave

About the Service

• We have developed an innovative program which will provide you with a mentor (outside of your team of work) who will support you to identify, develop and meet your ongoing training needs and ensure that you are ready to progress to the next step- which is the university‑based consolidation course.
• Cardiff is the only local authority in South Wales to provide independent practice assessors to assist your progression through this, and to ensure that you receive the support you need to successfully complete this stage of your social work career.
• We have a comprehensive training program which will allow you to access all of the mandatory training along with regular support groups to ensure you have contact with other newly qualified workers!
• Cardiff offers the opportunity to grow and develop through high quality training, regular and effective supervision, and a wide variety of opportunities to pursue career development, for example just this year we have 10 internal employee’s progress to a higher position within our Social Work teams.
• Cardiff benefits from being the capital of Wales and is a growing city with a diverse population. The children of Cardiff need social workers who can respond to the diversity of needs and experiences which in turn offers social workers the opportunity to develop expertise and to lead practice within Wales. Cardiff is also the first city in the UK to be declared as aUNICEF Child Friendly City that places the rights of children and young people at the head of our policies and strategies.

About the job

About our approach to Social Work

We have redesigned our services to follow the child’s journey and created locality teams that enable workers to link closely with communities and local services. There is a healthy culture of learning, support and family across our amazing social work teams.

The teams work from a strengths‑based approach to meet the needs of young people and their families. We have a diverse variety of casework, individual, dedicated and regular senior management support alongside progression opportunities for the successful candidates.

It is our belief that outcomes for children are best when they are supported to grow and achieve within their own families. This belief has driven the ‘Think Family’ approach which looks at the family as a whole and co‑ordinates support across the public services, tailored to each family’s needs and strengths.

This post requires

• Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced checks.
• Registration with Social Care Wales
• Full valid driving licence and full use of a car.
• You will be able to show you have excellent skills in assessment and the ability to write concise records and reports.

You will be a good team player, have excellent communication, organisation skills and IT skills.

Benefits offered

All of our frontline positions attract a market supplement of £5000 per annum additional to the stated salary paid monthly on top of your wages.

Cardiff is frequently found at the top of lists of best cities in the UK to live in so come join us and see what we can offer.

• A generous annual leave entitlement starting at 28 days per year to a maximum of 33 days per year after 5 years, with the option to purchase additional annual leave to a maximum of 10 days.
• Our working culture is flexible, with a flexi scheme allowing you to work to a schedule that suits you.
• Hybrid working – supporting you to flexibly deliver your role whether on visits, from an office or your home.

With effect from 1st April 2026, these roles attract a market supplement of £5,000 (full time equivalent). This payment is reviewed on a 12 monthly basis.

This is just some of what Cardiff has to offer, take a look at our Social Work website for more information about all our benefits and hear from some of our social workers, talking about why Cardiff is the place to be.

• Social Work Students in their final year of University.
• Recent Social Work Graduates

We can offer permanent positions in the following teams:

Our Locality - Cardiff Safeguarding and Children looked after teams are now based in 3 localities across the city at St Mellons in the East, Fairwater in the North and Cardiff Bay in the South enabling staff to be based within the communities that they serve.

Within the team's geographical area, you will support children and young people through robust assessment, outcome focused planning and effective intervention to support them in achieving positive outcomes within their families and communities.

Working within a restorative practice approach, you will work in partnership with families and multi‑agency colleagues in intervening to address both the presenting concerns and underlying difficulties.

Additional information

If you have previously applied for this position within 6 months and were not successful, we kindly ask that you do not submit a further application at this time.

With effect from the 1st April 2026 this post attracts a market supplement of £5000 per annum full time equivalent. This payment is reviewed on a 12 monthly basis.

This post has a requirement for registration with Social Care Wales.

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced check.

Safeguarding and Child Protection are key priorities for the Council. We aim to support children and vulnerable adults to ensure they are as safe as they can possibly be. Our services and schools are committed to ensuring the safety and protection of all children and vulnerable adults, and will take action to safeguard their well-being, and acknowledge that children and vulnerable adults have a right to protection. This is supported in the general ethos of the Council and all schools.

This vacancy is suitable for post share.

We welcome applications in both English and Welsh. Applications received in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than English applications.

Job Category Social Services - Childrens

Working Pattern/Contract Type Full Time Permanent