Social Worker, Children's Safeguarding (Long Term) Teams

We are recruiting for a permanent Social Worker in our Children's Safeguarding (Long Term) Teams, in Children’s Services.

Our Long Term Team (Conifers) is looking for a Social Worker to join them on a permanent basis. 

About the team: This team is made up of an experienced and stable workforce, who are 98% permanent workers. The Conifers team is supported by Practice Assistants and a Family Support Worker, includes two ASYE Social Workers, and a fantastic team of Social and Senior Social Workers. There are three exceptional ATM's plus a steady and supportive Team Manager leading the team.

At Wokingham, we are committed to our social workers having caseloads that give them time to focus on relationship based practice. To reflect this we are seeking experienced, permanent Social Workers who have a passion for working with and improving outcomes for children.

We are keen to hear from Social Workers that are flexible, dynamic and willing to work with safe uncertainty, to achieve the best outcomes for our children. We welcome creative individuals who are keen to make a difference by finding supportive solutions for our most vulnerable children. 

Quote from a Social Worker in the Conifers Team (December 2024):

"What I love about the Conifers Team is that it feels really close knit and supportive, with lots of reliable workers who all look out for each other. Wokingham is great at prioritising learning and development. There’s always emphasised efforts to make sure we’re not only learning more about the way that we practice, but also how we learn from each other.”

What we can offer you:

• Hybrid working: Our Long Term Teams work in a hybrid capacity, with our Social Workers combining a regular routine of working in the office, working from home, and working within the community.
• L&D: Social Workers in Wokingham are highly valued for the important and challenging work they undertake and will find an environment where their learning and development is promoted and supported.
• Support: Our Social Workers benefit from regular in-depth supervision with their managers, supportive peers and positive team spirit. Our Principal Social Worker and Practice Consultants work closely with our teams to provide learning and development opportunities.
• Culture: We are so proud of our positive and motivated team spirit. Our teams work closely with eachother, our Team Managers are relentlessly focussed on staff wellbeing, Social Workers feel supported & empowered in their roles. 

Our package:

• Salary: (Grade NL32-38): £44,511 - £50,754 per annum (inc £3k Market Supplement)
• Annual Leave: 28 days, rising to 33 days with 5 years continuous service
• Local Government Pension
• Local and National Discounts
• Continuous Professional Development
• Supportive Management

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact either:

Laura Rogers, Team Manager, Conifers Team laura.rogers@wokingham.gov.uk or Alix Williams, Recruitment & Retention Specialist for Children’s Social Care: alix.williams@wokingham.gov.uk

Closing Date: Sunday 5th January 2024, 11pm

Interview Date: 14^th & 15^th January 2025

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

WBC is an equal opportunities employer.