Social Worker Youth Support Team

East Sussex County Council; Lewes; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Lewes is seeking a passionate Social Worker to join their Youth Support Team. You will work directly with children and families, utilizing creativity and compassion while collaborating within a multi-agency environment. The role emphasizes building relationships and supports various digital initiatives to enhance children's resilience. The ideal candidate will have experience in assessments and a strong understanding of the legal frameworks informing social work practice.

Qualifications

• Experience working directly with children and families.
• Knowledge of legal and policy frameworks in social work.
• Ability to engage in complex and emotionally challenging situations.
• Ability to engage creatively with service users and maintain boundaries.
• Strong communication and reflective practice.

Responsibilities

• Engage with children and families creatively and compassionately.
• Complete assessments to support effective planning.
• Work as part of a multi-agency team in social work.

Skills

Effective communication

Advocacy for young people

Creative problem-solving

Assessment experience

Legal frameworks knowledge

Professional boundaries

Job description

Social Worker Youth Support Team – East Sussex County Council

Apply now to become part of our Youth Support Team (YST) in Lewes. 1 day ago be among the first 25 applicants.

It is a really exciting time to join the YST as a Social Worker, thanks to recent changes in how we work with families. Our brand-new initiative – Connected Families intervention Practitioners (CFIP) – supports social workers within a multi-agency team, allowing them to focus on direct work with children. The Connected Coaches team works alongside the Social Worker to assess, plan and deliver evidence-based interventions, stabilising, reducing risk, enhancing relationships and promoting the care of young people within their families. We have also launched Get Digital, a unique East Sussex County Council initiative that equips social workers with the skills and resources to support children and young people in building digital resilience and media-literacy skills while staying safe online.

These initiatives, combined with the fact that our court proceedings are consistently low, enable Social Workers to focus on relationship practice.

Candidate Profile

• Engage effectively using creativity, compassion and authority to overcome resistance, build relationships, and communicate, while maintaining professional boundaries in complex and emotionally challenging situations.
• A passionate advocate for young people and families, fully committed to making a positive difference to those you work with.
• Experience working directly with children and families.
• Experience completing assessments that underpin effective plans.
• Knowledge of the legal and policy frameworks that inform and mandate social work practice.

Application

Click the Apply Now button to upload your CV and Supporting Statement. In your Supporting Statement address:

• Your work with children and young people.
• How you communicate with others.
• Your application of research or theory in practice.

Be brief, to the point, and provide some examples.

For guidance on how to write an application, see our how to apply page. Interviews will take place on 9 February, face to face at County Hall, Lewes. Candidates who meet certain criteria are given priority when we shortlist.

Benefits

We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you throughout your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page.

Contact

For a more informal discussion about recruitment or to speak with a particular service practice manager, please contact Cassie Atherton at [e-mail] or call 01424 724130.

Salary Note: Salaries include a market supplement agreed to the end of June 2026. Basic salary information is available on our Salaries scales page.

Employment is subject to an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services. Evidence of an overseas police check is required if you have lived or worked abroad. Your starting salary will be pro‑rata if the position is part‑time or term‑time only. If you require sponsorship to work in the UK or any reasonable adjustments due to disability, let the hiring manager know in your application so we can check eligibility.