Experienced Social Worker

Job description

Teams: Family Help, Family Help Safeguarding and Children in Care Teams

Locations: Ellesmere Port, Chester and Winsford

Use your experience to make a lasting difference.

Are you an experienced Social Worker with at least three years post-qualification experience looking for a local authority where excellent practice is recognised, valued and supported?

At Cheshire West and Chester Council, we are looking for skilled and compassionate social workers to join our Children's Social Care teams. This is an opportunity to influence positive change for children and families whilst helping shape the future of a service that continues to evolve and improve.

Working within our Family Help, Family Help Safeguarding or Children in Care Teams, you will manage more complex work, build strong relationships with children and families, and take a leading role in achieving positive outcomes for some of our most vulnerable children.

We are seeking social workers who:

• Are passionate advocates for children and young people.
• Have strong assessment, intervention and risk management skills.
• Can build trusting relationships with families and professionals.
• Want to support and develop less experienced colleagues.
• Are committed to delivering high-quality, child-centred practice.

This is an exciting period of transformation as we embed the Families First Partnership Programme, respond to emerging Care reforms, strengthening our locality-based services and delivering coordinated, trauma-informed support to families.

We recognise that experienced social workers want to spend their time making meaningful interventions, using their skills, knowledge and expertise to manage increased complexity and risk, and working alongside colleagues within their teams and multi-agency partners to make a real difference to the children and families they work with. That is why we have invested in Magic Notes, an AI-assisted tool, allowing practitioners to save an average of six hours per week and focus on direct work with children and families.

Our culture is built on support, collaboration and continuous improvement. Staff consistently tell us they feel valued, trusted and empowered to challenge and innovate. We are proud that many of our current leaders have progressed through the organisation, demonstrating our commitment to career development and recognising talent.

If you are looking for an authority where your experience will be valued and your work will genuinely change lives, we would love to hear from you.

What we offer

• Competitive salary package
• Flexible and hybrid working
• Strong and supportive leadership
• High-quality reflective supervision
• Excellent learning and development opportunities
• Trauma-informed and systemic practice model
• Free parking at all office locations
• Bright, modern office accommodation including free tea and coffee
• Social Work England registration paid
• Up to 16 days flexi leave per year in addition to annual leave
• Opportunities to progress into Senior Social Worker and management roles

Salary: Grade 10 SCP 31-35 (£43,149 - £49,658)

For an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact Jennifer Cragg on 0151 337 6323.