Social Worker Children's Services (Social and Healthcare Qualified)
Social Worker – Assessment & Family Help
West Berkshire Council | Children's Services
Contract: Temporary
Sector: Children's Social Work
Specialism: Assessment & Family Help
Start Date: Monday 26 October 2026
Salary: Competitive – dependent on experience (rate to be confirmed)
Make a meaningful difference to children and families.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Children's Social Worker to join West Berkshire Council's Assessment and Family Help service.
This is an opportunity to play a vital role in safeguarding children, strengthening families and delivering positive, sustainable outcomes through relationship-based social work.
Working within a supportive, multidisciplinary environment, you will undertake assessments, manage complex cases and work collaboratively with families and partner agencies to ensure children receive the right support at the right time.
The Role
As a Social Worker within the Assessment and Family Help service, you will be responsible for assessing children's needs, identifying risks and developing effective plans that promote safety, stability and family wellbeing.
Your responsibilities will include:
Assessment & Safeguarding: Undertake comprehensive assessments of children and families, identifying risks, protective factors and appropriate interventions.
Family-Centred Practice: Build trusted relationships with children, parents and carers, using strengths-based approaches to support positive change and family stability.
Case Management: Manage a varied caseload, producing clear assessments, evidence-based recommendations and achievable care plans.
Multi-Agency Collaboration: Work closely with education, health, safeguarding and other professional services to coordinate effective support.
Children's Voices: Ensure children's wishes, feelings and lived experiences are central to assessments, decisions and care planning.
Court & Statutory Work: Prepare professional reports, statements and care plans, attending conferences, reviews and court proceedings where required.
Professional Standards: Maintain accurate case records, meet statutory timescales and contribute to reflective supervision and team duty arrangements.
About You
We are looking for a committed and confident social work professional who combines sound safeguarding judgement with a compassionate, child-centred approach.
You will ideally demonstrate:
A recognised Social Work qualification and current Social Work England registration.
Experience within Children's Services, particularly assessment, safeguarding or family support.
Strong working knowledge of relevant children's legislation, statutory guidance and safeguarding procedures.
Confidence managing complex cases, assessing risk and making informed professional decisions.
Excellent communication, report-writing and multi-agency working skills.
A commitment to inclusive, relationship-based practice and achieving the best possible outcomes for children.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
This position offers the opportunity to make a tangible difference within a local authority Children's Services team, supporting children and families at important stages in their lives.
You will have the opportunity to apply your professional expertise, contribute to meaningful safeguarding decisions and work alongside colleagues who share a commitment to high-quality social work practice.
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