Children's Social Worker

Newly Qualified Social Worker (Assessed and Supported Year in Employment) – SCP 25 (£33,945.00)

Social Worker – SCP 27-30 (£35,745.00 - £38,223.00)

Senior Social Worker – SCP 32-35 (£40,221.00 - £43,421.04)

We are offering an additional retention payment of £3,000 to eligible social workers for the period 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2024, subject to normal tax and national insurance deductions. For employees joining us after 1 December 2023 the payment will be adjusted on a pro rata basis.

As a children’s social worker, you will thrive on working restoratively with children and families by building strong relationships to inspire positive change and sustainable outcomes.

Children and Families at Leeds City Council has opportunities for newly qualified social workers as well as vacancies for experienced social workers. We can offer permanent contracts on a full-time, part-time or job-share basis to suitably qualified candidates.

As a Newly Qualified Social Worker, you will follow the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) programme with support and guidance from your manager and team. On successful completion of the ASYE programme you will progress to the role of Social Worker.

We provide comprehensive support and training packages for social workers at all levels with clear career progression opportunities. Our established in-house management team offers continuous support, guidance and reflective supervision allowing you to grow and develop through your career.

There are opportunities across the city including in the locality teams and children looked after service. Opportunities arise from time to time in the more specialist teams such as front door, restorative early support and the child health and disability service. If you are successful at interview, we will offer a post based on your preference and experience as well as the needs of the service.

We are proud to be part of Leeds children’s services, rated by Ofsted as outstanding, and to be an award-winning employer, recognised as best employer in the Social Worker of the Year Awards 2019.

We are committed to the ambition of Child Friendly Leeds. We want Leeds to be a city where all children are safe, happy and healthy, do well at school, fulfil their potential and grow up to be active citizens with voice and influence. We aim to improve outcomes for all our children and want to close the gap facing children and young people from vulnerable and deprived backgrounds.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a social worker you will hold an appropriate professional qualification (degree, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent) and must be registered with Social Work England on commencement in post. If you are a newly qualified candidate awaiting formal award of your degree and confirmed registration, you have the opportunity to start work with us as a trainee social worker in the interim.

As a Social Worker or Senior Social Worker, in addition to your professional qualification and registration you will have completed the ASYE and be willing to work towards Practice Educator Level 1 or 2 as specified in the relevant job description.

All our social workers will bring to the role:

• experience in a social care setting with ability to assess needs, identify appropriate social work interventions, plan, prioritise and evaluate
• communication and collaboration skills to build productive working relationships in a multi-agency environment
• ability to engage individuals, families and carers and use their views to inform assessments, plans and interventions
• up-to-date knowledge of relevant trends, policies, regulation and safeguarding
• proactive use of supervision to reflect critically on practice, explore different approaches and understand the boundaries of professional accountability

Please refer to the relevant job description below for the requirements at each level.

About the role

As a social worker in Children and Families, you will be integral to a close-knit, supportive team which has your professional and personal wellbeing at heart. We offer an in-depth programme of continuing professional development alongside a robust supervision and appraisal framework.

All our social workers manage a caseload with complexity appropriate to their level of experience, taking a child-focused approach and underpinned by our culture of restorative practice and family decision making including family group conferencing. We work closely with local health and third sector partners, and you will develop and maintain these strong links in your role.

As a newly qualified social worker, you will provide a high quality comprehensive social work service with support and mentoring from a senior social work colleague. You may co-work more challenging casework alongside experienced colleagues, with guidance as outlined in the ASYE programme. You will engage proactively in the supervision framework for critical reflection and exploration of your role.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Apply for this job online. Please upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please call the recruitment team on 0113 378 5165, who will be able to put you in touch with a relevant manager.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s barred list will be carried out on preferred candidates.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.