Social Worker

Job title: Social Worker

Salary: PO1 £37,035 to £39,513

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Various

Service: Children's social work

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.

Our restorative practice model lies at the heart of our children’s social work team at Leeds City Council. We believe that relationships really matter in our role; working with and alongside people is the best way to make a positive difference for children and young people.

We have opportunities for social workers with at least a year’s post qualification experience. We can offer permanent contracts on a full-time, part-time or job-share basis to suitably qualified candidates. We are open to flexible working arrangements to support your work-life balance, if service needs can be fulfilled.

View all our vacancies for children's social workers at Leeds City Council.

We provide comprehensive support and training packages for our social workers, 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’s a wealth of opportunity across the city with roles in locality teams, children looked after and more specialist teams such as front door, restorative early support and the child health and disability service. We will offer successful candidates a post based on individual preference and experience as well as the needs of the service.

We’re proud to be part of Ofsted outstanding Leeds children’s services, working to improve outcomes for all children and young people, and close the gap facing those from vulnerable and deprived backgrounds.

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.

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.

In addition to your professional qualification and registration you will have completed the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) and be willing to work towards Practice Educator Level 1.

You will also bring to the role:

• at least one year’s experience in a statutory setting and ability to assess social care needs and plan, implement and evaluate interventions
• up-to-date knowledge of trends, policies, regulation and safeguarding in social care
• consultative approach to engage children and families, taking their views on board and advocating for them
• communication and collaboration skills for effective multi-agency working
• proactive use of supervision for critical reflection and to enhance practice and insight

About The Role

You will be integral to our close-knit, supportive children’s social work team , which has your wellbeing and professional development at heart.

All our social workers manage a caseload with complexity appropriate to their level of experience. Our child-focused approach is 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.

You will engage proactively in the supervision and appraisal framework for critical reflection and exploration of your role. You will undertake the Practice Educator Level 1 qualification, developing your skills in mentoring and developing newly qualified colleagues and students.

What We Offer You

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits for social workers 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
• essential car user allowance plus car loan scheme
• access to deals and discounts, including eligibility for a blue light card
• 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.

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.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, 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, candidates must consider their own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. For more information visit Skilled Worker visa on the government website. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.