Social Worker - Residential Family Centre

Fair Ways; Hillyfields; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading children's services charity in the UK is seeking a dedicated Social Worker to support families at their Registered Family Centre in Southampton. The role involves guiding parenting assessments, managing safeguarding issues, and overseeing a small team. Ideal candidates will have a degree-level qualification as a registered social worker and experience in creating parenting assessments. The position offers a competitive benefits package including wellness initiatives and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Free staff lottery

Holiday accrual scheme

Wellbeing initiatives

Education grant for master's level

Pension scheme

Qualifications

• Sound knowledge of Child Protection, looked-after children, Public Law Outline, and Care proceedings.
• Experience leading a team and improving service delivery.
• Ability to write robust parenting assessments for the court.

Responsibilities

• Lead parenting assessments through observations.
• Manage safeguarding issues and ensure safety.
• Write detailed parenting assessment reports for courts.
• Provide supervision and development to a small team.

Skills

Child Protection legislation

Team leadership

Writing parenting assessments

Trauma-informed practices

Education

Degree-level qualification as a registered social worker

Job description

Overview

We are looking for a Social Worker to support the growth and development of our Registered Family Centre in Southampton. The Centre houses 5 self‑contained flats and a separate bungalow that can accommodate an additional 2 families. Families are referred when concerns are identified around the safety of their children and are supported during a 12‑week stay with 24/7 monitoring to encourage sustainable positive parenting changes.

Responsibilities

• Lead parenting assessments through formal and informal observations, ensuring high‑quality service delivery.
• Manage safeguarding issues in line with Fair Ways policies to keep children, families and vulnerable adults safe.
• Line‑manage a small team, providing supervision, guidance and monitoring training and development.
• Represent the Residential Family Centre at multi‑agency meetings, court hearings and other forums.
• Maintain safe supervision levels and respectful relationships with parents and children.
• Write detailed parenting assessment reports for courts and coordinate communication with outside agencies.
• Apply trauma‑informed practices and provide therapeutic support during crises.
• Support the management team in developing community‑based assessment and outreach packages.
• Commit to personal and professional development through self‑assessment, supervision and training.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree‑level qualification as a registered social worker.
• Sound knowledge of legislation relating to Child Protection, looked‑after children, Public Law Outline, Care proceedings and safeguarding adults.
• Experience leading and directing a team and continuously improving service delivery.
• Experience writing robust parenting assessments and overseeing assessments for the court arena.

Requirements

• Full driving licence and access to a car.
• Ability to provide an enhanced Disclosure (DBS) – cost covered by Fair Ways.
• Right to work in the UK – no visa sponsorship.
• Commit to a 37.5‑hour week, Monday to Friday.

What We Offer

• Free staff lottery with prizes including £1000 holiday vouchers and fostering referral scheme.
• Holiday accrual scheme, extra wellbeing day, and option to purchase up to 5 additional holidays.
• Simply Health cash plan, Employee Assistance Scheme, early pay option.
• Education grant covering accreditation up to master’s level and leadership courses.
• Wellbeing initiatives such as team‑building days, summer festivals, gym membership discounts and cycle‑to‑work scheme.
• Annual Staff Awards, Long Service Awards, pension scheme and Blue Light Card eligibility.
• Diverse inclusive culture supporting all communities.

About Fair Ways

Fair Ways is a leading children’s services charity based in the Solent, delivering fostering, education, residential and family services for over 400 children, families, young people and vulnerable adults each year.