Senior Social Worker, Children in Care Team

About Us

At North Somerset Council, we are passionate about delivering exceptional services to our community. We are committed to fostering a fairer, greener, and more inclusive environment, where every resident can thrive. When you join us, you’ll be making a real difference to the lives of vulnerable children and families, helping us shape a brighter future for all.

The Role

We are looking for an experienced and compassionate Social Worker to join our Children in Care Team. This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of children in our care, helping them feel safe, supported, and empowered.

As a key member of our team, you will manage a caseload of children with varied plans, including adoption, special guardianship, long-term fostering, or reunification with their families. Your role is vital in ensuring that each child's voice is heard and that their unique history is respected as they grow into young adults. At North Somerset Council, we see ourselves as passionate corporate parents, and we strive to give the children in our care the same opportunities as our own.

In this role, you will work closely with each child, providing guidance, support, and advocacy. You’ll help them access the best possible education, healthcare, and activities, ensuring they grow up in a stable, loving home. You’ll also work collaboratively with their foster carers, residential providers, and families to ensure positive, lifelong outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Caseload Management: Handle complex cases involving children subject to care proceedings and child protection plans, ensuring their safety and well-being.
• Mentorship & Consultation: Provide support to less experienced social workers, fostering a culture of reflective practice, particularly during court proceedings and multi-agency assessments.
• High Standards of Practice: Lead by example, ensuring high-quality case recording, report writing, and effective planning for each child.
• Direct Work: Engage directly with children, young people, and families to manage risk and achieve sustained, positive outcomes.
• Professional Collaboration: Maintain strong working relationships with stakeholders, including foster carers, educational professionals, and healthcare providers, to ensure seamless support for each child.
• Training & Development: Continuously develop your expertise, staying up to date with best practices, and mentor others to do the same.
• Child Protection: Safeguard the welfare of children and young people in line with legal frameworks, always advocating for their best interests.

This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

About You

We’re seeking a dedicated, compassionate individual with a strong commitment to supporting children and families. You will bring a wealth of experience in child social work, particularly with children in care, and demonstrate an unwavering dedication to their well-being.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Extensive knowledge of frameworks for assessment and intervention.
• Deep understanding of attachment, separation, loss, change, and resilience, with the ability to apply these concepts in practice.
• Commitment to promoting identity and diversity, and supporting others in this area.
• Strong risk management and critical analysis skills, with the ability to guide others.
• Experience with legal frameworks, and confidence in communicating complex legislative issues to a wide range of professionals.
• Ability to anticipate and assess risks, developing clear, effective plans to manage them.
• Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.

Desirable:

• Post-qualification awards, or a willingness to work towards them.
• Practice Teachers Award, or Practice Educator Stage I and II qualifications, or a willingness to achieve these.

Why Work With Us?

At North Somerset Council, we offer a collaborative and supportive working environment where your contribution will be valued. We are committed to your professional growth, offering ongoing training and development opportunities to help you reach your full potential. Join us and help create positive, meaningful change for children in care.

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment.

We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

How to Apply

If you share our vision and values and are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Alex Humphries, Team Manager at alex.humphries@n-somerset.gov.uk or 07824 085764.

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated.  We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave.  We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.