Social Worker (Leaving Care Service)

Derbyshire County Council; Hasland; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Chesterfield seeks a full-time social worker for its Leaving Care Service. The role emphasizes supporting young adults through transitions and effective case management. Candidates must possess a BA in Social Work and be registered with Social Work England. The position offers excellent professional development and a supportive work environment. Competitive salary ranges from £32,347 to £43,270 pro-rata, with various employee benefits.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Flexi-time scheme

Corporate membership with Research in Practice

Free car parking at most sites

Qualifications

• Current Social Work England registration required.
• Person-centred approach to building rapport with children and families.
• Ongoing professional development is expected.

Responsibilities

• Provide a quality social work service to support children's potential.
• Manage young people's cases to achieve best outcomes.
• Work with care leavers and locality social work teams.
• Represent the service at local and regional levels.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Ability to reflect on practice

Experience of relationship-focused social work

Education

BA Honours in Social Work

Job description

Overview

This role is a full time social worker post based within the Derbyshire's Leaving Care Service. This enables excellent transitions to adulthood and excellent working relationships. The post is in the North East and Amber Valley Team based in Chesterfield, in a thriving young person hub/office space. Embedded within the team and service is a trauma informed, relationship based culture with high support, expectations and outcomes for our children. We support newly qualified social workers to progress in their career through supportive frameworks and excellent progression opportunities. We work hard to ensure that our social workers have the time and resources to deliver good outcomes for children and families. Our vision means working creatively to inspire and empower children, young people, and their families to be the best they can be.

Responsibilities

• Provide a quality social work service that supports children to achieve their potential.
• Effectively manage a number of young people to achieve the best outcomes for them.
• Work in partnership with individuals to build and sustain relationships, identify needs, and develop plans and responses that meet those needs.
• Work closely with our care leavers, our partners and locality social work teams with an aspirational approach for young people\'s futures.
• Develop and embed a thorough knowledge of aspirational planning and transitions support for care leavers within the service.
• Support leaving care workers with an understanding of social work practices, systems, knowledge and practice models.
• Represent the service locally and regionally.
• BA Honours in Social Work and current Social Work England registration (refer to job and person profile for more information).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a person-centred approach to building a rapport and relationships with children and families.
• Ability to reflect on own practice and development enabling flexible and thoughtful social work practice and positive change.
• Experience of relationship focused social work.
• In line with our performance capability framework, systemic practice model and continued professional development, qualified registered social workers are eligible to progress from grade 9 to 11, which attracts a salary of between £32,347 - £43,270 pro rata.
• We offer a package to our social workers that will ensure you always feel supported and valued, including manageable case loads, a diverse range of cases, effective leadership and management, excellent supervision and a supportive peer network, and accelerated pay progression following ASYE.
• Access to training and development opportunities, including systemic training and resources worth over £5,000.
• Corporate membership with Research in Practice and access to reputable, evidence-based research, training, and resources.
• Opportunities to undertake further formal qualifications and career progression through our career pathways.
• DBS check undertaken and paid for by us; Social Work England registration fee reimbursed; Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Generous annual leave and flexi-time scheme; travel expenses; discount on leisure centre memberships; free car parking at most sites.
• An in-house counselling service; occupational health service; access to sessions with a trained physiotherapist; cycle to work scheme.

Qualifications

• BA Honours in Social Work and current Social Work England registration.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a person-centred approach.
• Ability to reflect on practice and engage in ongoing professional development.
• Experience of relationship-focused social work.

Provisional Interview Date: 3 November 2025