Social Worker

Bristol City Council; St. Pauls (NC); On-site; USD 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol City Council is seeking experienced Social Workers for the East Central Bristol teams. The role focuses on safeguarding children and delivering relationship-based practice to diverse communities.

As a Qualified SW England registered practitioner who has completed ASYE, you will undertake statutory duties, conduct assessments, and collaborate with families and partner agencies to secure positive outcomes for children.

Qualifications

• Qualified and registered Social Worker with SW England registration.
• Completion of the ASYE programme.
• Experience of working with children and families in statutory settings.
• Strong assessment, relationship-building and analytical skills.
• Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and diverse communities.
• Passion for achieving safe, stable outcomes for children.

Responsibilities

• Undertake statutory duties for children and families (Child in Need, Child Protection, Court proceedings).
• Complete assessments and develop strengths-based plans.
• Work collaboratively with children, families, partner agencies and networks.
• Direct work, intervention and safety planning to drive positive outcomes.
• Support permanence planning when required and promote safety and stability.
• Facilitate Family Network Meetings and develop Family Network Plans with families at the centre.

Skills

Assessment

Relationship-building

Analytical skills

Education

Social Work qualification

Job description

Children & Families Social Worker Opportunities

Location: East Central Bristol | Based at The Welsman.

(You must be a Qualified and Registered Social Worker to apply for this role).

Be Part of Something Special in Bristol

Full Time, Permanent

\"Workforce morale is high. Practitioners 'love' working for Bristol and feel highly supported by their managers. All practitioners, regardless of their length of time working for Bristol, feel valued and enabled to make a positive difference in improving the lives of vulnerable children.\" Ofsted Focused Visit 2026

Are you an experienced Social Worker who has successfully completed your Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) and is looking for the next step in your career? Do you want to work somewhere that values relationships, invests in your development, and provides the support you need to do your best work?

We are looking for skilled social workers who are confident in working with children and families, committed to relationship-based practice, and passionate about achieving positive outcomes for children. If you are seeking a supportive environment where your professional judgement is valued and your career development is actively encouraged, we would love to hear from you.

Why Choose East Central?

Based at The Welsman in the heart of Bristol, East Central Children and Families teams work with some of the city's most vibrant, diverse, and culturally rich communities. The area encompasses a wide range of neighbourhoods, cultures, languages, faiths, and family experiences, creating a dynamic and rewarding environment for social work practice.

The diversity of the communities we serve means that no two days are the same. Our practitioners work with families from a broad range of backgrounds and life experiences, developing culturally informed practice and building meaningful relationships that help create lasting change for children.

We are deeply committed to anti-discriminatory practice and support our social workers to develop the confidence, curiosity, and cultural awareness needed to work effectively with the rich range of communities that make up East Central Bristol.

Our Approach to Practice

In East Central, we are proud of our strong and supportive practice culture. Our social work practice is grounded in systemic principles, helping us to understand family relationships, strengths, and dynamics, while Signs of Safety provides a framework that guides our assessment, planning, and direct work with children and families.

We place a strong emphasis on the importance of Family Networks and believe that children achieve the best outcomes when their wider family and support systems are actively involved in planning for their future. Family Network Meetings and Family Network Plans are central to our practice, helping families identify their own strengths, resources, and solutions while ensuring children's safety and wellbeing remain at the forefront. We are committed to working alongside families and their networks to build sustainable plans that create lasting change and reduce the need for statutory intervention where possible.

Our focus is on building meaningful relationships, understanding what matters to children and families, and working collaboratively to create safety, stability, and positive outcomes.

Who We're Looking For

• A recognised Social Work qualification and Social Work England registration.
• Completion of the ASYE programme.
• Experience of working with children and families within statutory social work settings.
• Strong assessment, relationship-building, and analytical skills.
• A commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and working effectively with diverse communities.
• A passion for supporting children to achieve safe, stable, and positive outcomes.

The Role

• Undertake statutory duties for children and families within Child in Need, Child Protection and Court proceedings.
• Complete assessments and develop strengths-based plans.
• Work collaboratively with children, families, partner agencies, and wider support networks.
• Facilitate meaningful change through direct work, intervention, and safety planning.
• Support permanence planning when required.
• Promote positive outcomes, safety, and stability for children.
• Facilitate Family Network Meetings and support the development of Family Network Plans that place families at the centre of decision-making and planning for children.

Small Teams and Strong Support

Our social workers benefit from working in small, collaborative teams led by experienced, knowledgeable, and accessible managers. Support is readily available, and reflective supervision is at the heart of our practice.

With a manager-to-social-worker ratio of approximately 1:3, practitioners receive meaningful oversight, challenge, and encouragement to support their professional growth and development.

Strong Relationships and Family