Social Worker/Senior Social Worker - Assessment Team

North East Jobs; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

An outstanding opportunity for a Social Worker/Senior Social Worker to join Together for Children Sunderland, rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. The role involves supporting children and families, conducting assessments, and working in a supportive environment with professional growth opportunities.

Benefits

Free onsite parking

Flexible working arrangements

Comprehensive training

Local Government Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year’s post qualifying experience required.
• Completion of ASYE is desirable but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Conduct assessments of Children in Need and Children in Need of Protection.
• Build relationships with children and families to support them.

Skills

Child-Centred Approach

Assessment Skills

Relationship Building

Education

Social Work Qualification

Job description

Social Worker/Senior Social Worker – Assessment Team

Grade 8: £36,124 - £45,718 per annum, plus an Essential Car User Allowance: £1239 per annum and 2% Recruitment and Retention Allowance paid monthly

Permanent/Full time position

Interviews week commencing 28th July.

This is your opportunity to join our ‘Outstanding’ Company and make a difference!

We are proud that Together for Children Sunderland is rated ‘outstanding’ in a judgement by Ofsted in 2021, in recognition of the stability of our very well supported and talented workforce who deliver an ongoing commitment to improving children’s outcomes. Join us and help us in continuing our outstanding journey!

You must have a minimum of one year’s post qualifying experience. Completion of ASYE is desirable, but not essential.

Together for Children are looking to appoint experienced Social Workers/Senior Social Worker within our Assessment social work team. We work on behalf of Sunderland City Council to deliver children’s services in the city.

Our company values are Child-Centred, Respectful, Creative and Transparent. When you join us, you can expect to work in line with these values.

We are an Ofsted rated Outstanding service, where all workers have reasonable caseloads and are well supported by visible and approachable managers; as a result, social workers are supported to carry out innovative work with children (Ofsted 2021).

You will need to build relationships with children, young people, their families and networks, and work directly with them to undertake assessments of Children in Need and Children in Need of Protection. This will help us understand their experiences and how we can support them and their networks to make lasting changes, in line with policies and procedures within Together for Children and Sunderland Safeguarding Board to keep children and young people safe.

Why Choose Us?

• Outstanding Recognition: Rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in 2021 and 2025 for our stable, well-supported, and talented workforce.
• Supportive Environment: Benefit from high levels of support and guidance from experienced Team Managers and Assistant Team Managers.
• Professional Growth: Access ongoing training and development programmes, including regular reflective supervision.
• Innovative Practice: We use the Signs of Safety model, with extensive training and support provided.

What We Offer:

• Visible Leadership: "The workforce is motivated and inspired by leaders and managers to continually improve their practice and children’s outcomes" (Ofsted 2025)
• Comprehensive Training: Extensive training and development opportunities through our dedicated Practice Development team.
• Work-Life Balance: Flexible working arrangements, agile working policy, and a good health and wellbeing programme.
• Attractive Benefits: Free onsite parking, car lease scheme, Local Government Pension Scheme, and flexi scheme.

If you would like to have an informal discussion, please contact Shelley Sanderson (Team Manager) at [e-mail]

Together for Children is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment, and an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure will be sought along with other relevant pre-employment checks.

We work collaboratively with our established employee networks:

• Accessibility Network
• LGBTQ+ Network
• Racial Equality Network
• Menopause Network

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, belief, race, or background.

If you have a disability, please reach out to our Accessibility Network Chair to hear how we can support you during the recruitment process and in the workplace.

[e-mail]

Nearly 40% of foster carers combine fostering with other work. Those who do say that a supportive employer makes a difference, enabling them to balance employment with caring for children.

Together for Children has a fostering-friendly People policy offering flexible working and paid time off for foster carers in employment (regardless of their fostering service). We also promote Foster Care Fortnight, our annual campaign to raise awareness and encourage fostering. Foster with North East

Please note that Together for Children cannot provide Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for this position.