Children\'s Social Worker - Level 2/3 - PLO and Court Team in Bournemouth

Salary BCP Band I (SCP 28-31) £39,152 - £41,771 per annum pro rata, plus £4,234 per annum & Band J (SCP 32-35) - £42,839 - £46,142 per annum, plus £5,719 contractual supplement per annum.

Job Introduction: From 1 December 2025, our refreshed Pay and Reward package comes into effect, bringing a new approach to how we recognise and reward roles across the Council. This means the salary for this role will be changing. The pay range for this role (Level 2 – 3) will be £42,839 – £53,460 (pro rata for part time colleagues) and pay protection will not apply. We’re looking forward to welcoming new colleagues under this refreshed framework of pay, terms, and conditions.

About our team: BCP Council Children’s Services have 2 specialist PLO and Court Teams which are made up of 1 Team Manager, 1 Assistant Team Manager, 7 social workers and 1 Family Practitioner. The teams are co-located alongside the other Children’s services teams at the Civic Centre Bournemouth, but work flexibly across the BCP area.

Families are presented at Legal Gateway panel by the Assessment service or Children & Families First teams to consider if the threshold for pre-proceedings is met and to devise a plan of support to the family. If threshold is met, the family are invited to a formal meeting (PLO meeting) with their legal representation to hear the concerns and collaborate on an action plan to reduce risks to the child/ren, at which point the PLO and Court Team will start working with the family.

The team works with families to address the needs and risks of children and families jointly, supporting children and families with issues such as domestic abuse, adult mental health and substance misuse along with the use of the Parental Substance Misuse Court (PSMC). Issuing care proceedings in the family courts should be seen as the option of last resort and the purpose of the PLO (Public Law Outline) pre-care proceedings process represents a genuine opportunity to work closely with families by offering help and support to address their recognised needs in a bid to negate the need to issue care proceedings.

The focus of the best practice guidance is ensuring that the PLO is followed in all cases with a view to either divert cases that might otherwise have come to court or having these cases that do come to court fully assessed and prepared. There is significant emphasis in securing a child’s permanency and exploration of the support the wider family can offer in reducing risk and increasing safety. We work together to ensure the right decisions are made for children without drift and delay.

Are you also passionate about making a real difference in children’s lives? Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council is looking for dedicated, compassionate and experienced Social Workers to join our team at Levels 2 & 3. We are proud to have achieved a GOOD rating from Ofsted in Dec 2024, recognising our commitment to providing excellent care and support for children and families.

If you are an experienced Social Worker we want to hear from you. If you are reflective, proactive and resilient, have the desire to make a real difference and ensure children and their voices are at the heart of everything you do, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council could be the place for you.

We are committed to recruiting, developing and supporting outstanding dedicated social workers, to enable our children to grow and flourish. If you like a challenge, want to work in an authority where you can feel the difference you are making, then please give us a call.

If you are interested in this level of social work, you will need to:

• have experience of a mentoring role in front line SW of less experienced staff including new and newly qualified staff, and SW students on placement;
• have post-qualifying award (e.g Practice Education), and/or be willing to undertake Practice Education training;
• be already working to the DfE Knowledge and Skills statements for child and family practitioners;
• be able to work with very complex referrals and complex casework and have high quality skills in analysis of risk and decision making;
• have strong and confident presentation skills;
• have strong conflict resolution skills;
• have a commitment to continuous professional development;
• develop and maintain a professional network, to share expertise and in order to support the outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.

We will require you to:

• be able to travel across the full Council area in a timely manner;
• have significant experience of front line SW safeguarding.

We can offer you:

• Full induction, with a very supportive Practice Fundamentals offer.
• Clear career progression pathway and excellent learning opportunities.
• Manageable and diverse caseloads.
• Regular Supervision.
• 25 days annual leave (pro rata, for those without continuous service), plus bank holidays.
• Competitive salary with access to local government pension scheme.
• Flexible working arrangements in our newly refurbished Civic Offices with Local Offices near to where you need to work.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Relocation Scheme.
• Staff network groups.

For an informal discussion about any of the roles above, please contact: Vanessa Johns, Service Manager for Children and Families First and PLO&Court at vanessa.johns@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.

BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, world-class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.

DBS BCP Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the community and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Applicants to this post will be required to complete the appropriate level of Disclosure & Barring Service Check.