Experienced Social Worker - Children Looked After

Job description

Job description

Make an impact where it matters the most - Children's Looked After Service in North & Mid Devon.

About Us

As Corporate Parents we are committed to ensuring all Children and Young People in our care can flourish and thrive in life. Using restorative practice and relational ways of working our practice is focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for our children and young people. We believe that for most families, the family home is the best place for children to live, with local, place-based support. Together, we're working hard to deliver permanence for our children in long term care with a real focus on supporting children to thrive in Devon and build lifelong links with their family and their community.

Please take a moment to visit our Promise to Children in Care page. It offers a clear and heartfelt insight into who we are and what we stand for as corporate parents, and outlines what our children want from you!

Our North Devon Team is based at Taw View in Barnstaple. Renowned for its breathtaking beaches, picturesque villages, rolling countryside, and scenic coastal walks, North Devon offers an exceptional work-life balance and an ideal setting to live, work and unwind.

Our Mid Devon Team is based at Phoenix House, nestled in the historic market town of Tiverton. Conveniently located within easy reach of Junction 27 of the M5, it offers excellent commuter links, but also surrounded by some of the South West's most stunning landscapes, including the Blackdown Hills, Dartmoor, Exmoor, and the beautiful Devon coastline.

About the Role

Supported by a stable management team, you will work as an Experienced Social Worker who models high standards of professional practice and will be used to working at pace, within a high pressurised environment. The casework will be varied, and you will be working creatively to promote positive long-term change. You will understand the importance of providing good quality assessments to ensure improved consistent outcomes for our children, young people, families and carers.

In addition to the £2000 retention payment per annum, we are now offering a £5,000 Welcome Payment to eligible new permanent staff joining the North and Mid Devon locality. Payment will be received in full in your first or second salary of joining us.

About You

Advocating for the children and young people of Devon, you will work creatively and flexibly to promote positive long-term change, ensuring permanence from the outset. Your skills and experience will include:

• Knowledge and understanding of the legislation, models, and theories relevant to children's social work
• The ability to build effective professional relationships with children, families, and other professionals
• Experience working within social care, including working in a multi-agency and court environment
• A social work qualification and registration with Social Work England
• Satisfactory completion of your Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE)
• A high-level of written and verbal communication skills

What's in it for you?

We offer some fantastic employee benefits in return for the vital contribution that you make, including:

• Welcome Payment of £5000 (pro rata for part time staff & subject to standard deductions)
• Retention payment of £2,000 per annum pro rata.
• Generous annual leave, and the ability to purchase additional annual leave.
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities through our Social Work Academy.
• Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee well-being services.
• We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible
• Discounts at over 900 national & local high street retailers through our benefits platform
• Free onsite parking.
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric Vehicle salary sacrifice scheme

For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page .

If you are looking to move to Devon, subject to qualifying conditions, we offer a generous relocation allowance. There has never been a better time to make the move!

For any queries or an informal discussion about this role, please contact Sarah Isaac-Brown on 01392 383000, or email [email protected]

Applications close 4th September 2026.

Kindly note that interviews will be conducted at various stages of our recruitment campaign. We strongly encourage you to submit your application early to avoid disappointment as it is possible that the advert may close early.

Internal Applicants, please note: If you are an existing DCC employee, please use your iTrent Employee Self Service (ESS) details to log in and apply.

We are proud to welcome applications from internationally trained and qualified professionals who are now based in the UK and eager to bring their expertise to our team. For the right candidates, we can offer visa sponsorship to support your journey.

Additional Information

• This role requires a DBS disclosure.
• DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages .
• For details on the use of AI in applications and Devon County Council's use of AI in Recruitment please see Use of AI in Our Recruitment Processes - Working for Devon | Devon County Council
• Happy to Talk Flexible Working - The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
• This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice .
• For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page .

REQ009094 - Children's Social Care