Social Worker/Senior Social Worker - Assessment Team

Together for Children Sunderland; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A charitable organization dedicated to social care is seeking a Social Worker/Senior Social Worker for its Assessment Team in Sunderland. This full-time position offers a competitive salary and the chance to work in an outstanding environment, rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted. The ideal candidate should have at least one year of post-qualifying experience and be eager to make a significant difference in children's lives. Benefits include flexible working arrangements, professional growth opportunities, and comprehensive training.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Free onsite parking

Local Government Pension Scheme

Comprehensive training and development

Health and wellbeing programme

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year of post-qualifying experience.
• Completion of ASYE is desirable but not essential.
• Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure required.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with children and families to support assessments.
• Undertake assessments of Children in Need and Children in Protection.
• Comply with relevant policies to keep children safe.

Skills

Post-qualifying experience

DBS disclosure

Communication skills

Education

Social Work qualification

Job description

Job Title and Salary

Social Worker/Senior Social Worker – Assessment Team
Grade 7/8: £37,280 - £47,181 per annum
Plus an Essential Car User Allowance: £1239 per annum and 2% Recruitment and Retention Allowance paid monthly

Job Description

Permanent/Full time position

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, and have maintained the outstanding rating in 2025, 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 an experienced Social Worker/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.

Responsibilities

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 Protection. These assessments will help us understand what life is like for them and how we can support them and their networks to make long lasting changes. You would do this in line with the relevant policies and procedures in place within Together for Children and Sunderland Safeguarding Board which support us to keep children and young people safe.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year of post-qualifying experience
• Completion of ASYE desirable but not essential
• Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure required
• Other relevant pre-employment checks

Benefits

• 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 to ongoing training and development programmes. Regular reflective supervision.
• Innovative Practice: We use the Signs of Safety model, with extensive training and support provided.
• Work-Life Balance: Flexible working arrangements, agile working policy, and a good health and wellbeing programme.
• Attractive Benefits: Free onsite parking at the Sanhill Centre, car lease scheme, Local Government Pension Scheme, and flexi scheme.
• 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.

Contact

If you would like to have an informal discussion, please do not hesitate to contact Leighann Wilson at [e-mail]

Commitment to Safeguarding

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.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As part of this commitment, we work collaboratively with our established employee networks:

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

We welcome and encourage job applications from candidates regardless of their age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, belief or race, and background.
If you have a disability please do reach out to our Accessibility Network Chair to hear how we can support you during the recruitment process and if you are successful, in the workplace [e-mail]

Fostering Friendly Employer

Nearly 40 per cent of foster carers combine fostering with other work. Those who do say that a supportive employer can make all the difference, enabling them to balance employment with caring for children.
Together for Children have a fostering friendly People policy for all foster carers in their employment (regardless of their fostering service). This includes offering foster carers flexible working and paid time off for training and settling a new child into their home.
As a Fostering Friendly employer, Together for Children also help promote Foster Care Fortnight™, our annual campaign to raise the profile of fostering and encourage people to consider becoming foster carers and offer children the care they need - Foster with North East