At a Glance
- Tasks: Protect vulnerable children by developing effective safeguarding plans and collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team.
- Company: Join Bracknell Forest, an outstanding local authority committed to making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy a £7k welcome payment, generous leave, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team that values learning and excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while working in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Must be a registered Social Worker with 3+ years in statutory Children’s Social Care.
The predicted salary is between 49918 - 53048 £ per year.
Would you like to join an outstanding authority, where you will be a valued member of a team, experience high quality training, supervision and a manageable workload? At Bracknell Forest, you will get the support you need, when you need it because we value you and invest in you so that you flourish and have the tools, experiences, and support to do your job well! Our Children’s Social Care service is proudly Outstanding in all areas (Ofsted, December 2025), with inspectors calling our practitioners "effusive about working in Bracknell" and praising our highly effective Social Work Academy.
We are a small, welcoming and friendly local authority where you will have the opportunity to build strong, positive and supportive working relationships with colleagues and peers with an embedded culture and ethos of bettering vulnerable children’s lives. You will experience leaders who are visible, approachable and a service that collectively has unwavering commitment to children.
About You
You will be registered with Social Work England and have at least three years post qualifying experience in statutory Children’s Social Care, including child protection, public law outline and care proceedings. You will be passionate about relational social work and dedicated to joining our embedded culture and ethos of bettering vulnerable children’s lives. You will be committed to understanding the lived experiences of children, acting as a fierce advocate on their behalf and providing the support needed to improve their childhood experiences.
To thrive in this role, you will bring an in-depth understanding of the relevant legislation, guidance, policies and thresholds that underpin safeguarding. You will also have strong experience of effective multi-agency working, building partnerships and co-producing needs-led safety plans for children and young people. With excellent recording skills, you will have the ability to produce high-quality assessments, reports and court statements. As a Senior Social Worker, you will role-model and champion high-quality practice. You will also demonstrate a strong commitment to your own continued professional development and use your knowledge and experience to support colleagues, helping to foster our inclusive and collaborative culture.
About the Team and Children’s Social Care
In December 2025, Ofsted concluded that "since the last inspection, leaders, managers and practitioners have not only sustained outstanding services but have raised the bar even higher". We use the Family Safeguarding Model in our approach to collaborate with families to keep them together, where it is safe to do so, supported by Motivational Interviewing (MI). Ofsted recognised our model "operates consistently and effectively" and "embraces a relational approach, with explicit commitment to understanding the culture and diverse needs of families". Children experiencing neglect or domestic abuse receive exceptional and expert in-house specialist help. They work closely with the family safeguarding team and offer step-by-step help to parents to improve home conditions and strengthen parenting capacity. When risks escalate our conscientious managers take decisive action, with focus on the lived experience of children. Permanence planning meetings secure "timely decision-making, enabling children to thrive". "Social Workers consider all permanence options for children, and contingency planning is in place so that children are offered the best permanence option". Social Workers were recognised by inspectors as "committed to understanding the lived experiences of children and responding to help them have improved home conditions and better childhood experiences". Families are positive about their experiences with Social Workers and we know practitioners are having a positive impact in supporting families.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement effective safeguarding plans to protect children from harm.
- Work alongside other professionals as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Manage a caseload of Child in Need, Child Protection, Care Proceedings and Children Looked After.
- Take part in the team duty system responding to concerns as and when they arise.
- Make effective use of time and prioritise workload, ensuring timeliness in visiting, report writing and other deadlines.
- Participate in regular reflective supervision and set clear goals and intervention strategies.
- Develop and maintain accurate case records and comply with the department’s policies, procedures and guidelines including data protection and GDPR.
- Support and mentor less experienced colleagues including newly qualified Social Workers, Family Workers and Social Work Students.
Benefits
- Welcome Payment £7,000 plus an annual Retention Payment of 4% after 2 years continuous service, subject to terms and conditions.
- 28 days annual leave increasing to 33 days after 3 years continuous service, with the opportunity to buy up to 10 and sell up to 5 days.
- Career development through internal and external training opportunities.
- 1 day paid volunteering leave a year.
- Local government pension scheme, with life insurance cover.
- Reimbursement of Social Work England registration.
- Recognition of continuous service attained within the NHS and UKHSA when calculating some benefits. (Terms and Conditions apply)
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave.
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support your health and wellbeing.
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme. (subject to eligibility)
- Inclusive and social working environment with a variety of staff networks and a sports and social club.
Our Values
At Bracknell Forest Council our values define who we are and what is important to us. Our core values are inclusive, ambitious and always learning. These values influence the way we work with each other and the way we serve our residents and engage with our communities. We make our values real by demonstrating them in how we behave every day. If you are excited about joining a diverse team that celebrates learning and strives for excellence, we would love to hear from you.
Reasonable Adjustments
We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process for all applicants. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview, please let us know by contacting recruitment@bracknell-forest.gov.uk. We will work with you to support you throughout the process.
Equal Opportunities
Bracknell Forest Council – Working for Equality. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Contact
Maggie Mandecka, Team Manager – Children’s Social Care Email: maggie.mandecka@bracknell-forest.gov.uk
Helen Gore, Principal Social Worker Email: helen.gore@bracknell-forest.gov.uk
Application details
Apply online via the link provided.
Salary: £49,918 – £53,048 per year inclusive of London Weighting and Essential Car User Allowance. Plus a one-off Welcome Payment of £7,000 subject to T&Cs and an annual 4% Retention Payment after 2 years.
Location: Time Square, Bracknell
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full Time
Hours: 37 hours per week.
DBS Check: Enhanced
Closing Date: 05/06/2026 at 23:59
Reference: People/26/337531
We can only accept applications from candidates currently residing in the UK. Candidates currently residing in the UK who require sponsorship to work are encouraged to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) based on the relevant criteria. Please be aware that sponsorship availability varies and is subject to eligibility requirements and budget limitations. As a result, we cannot guarantee sponsorship for all roles and will evaluate sponsorship requests on a case-by-case basis.
No agencies please.
Senior Social Worker – Family Safeguarding (£7k Welcome) in Bracknell employer: Bracknell Forest Council
Bracknell Forest Council is an outstanding local authority that prioritises the well-being and professional development of its employees, offering a supportive work environment with high-quality training and manageable workloads. With a strong commitment to safeguarding vulnerable children, our inclusive culture fosters collaboration and growth, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact in the community. Enjoy competitive benefits, including a £7,000 welcome payment, generous annual leave, and opportunities for career advancement, all while working in a friendly and dynamic team dedicated to excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Worker – Family Safeguarding (£7k Welcome) in Bracknell
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team and the culture at Bracknell Forest! Research their values and approach to social work. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their community.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local social work events. Building relationships can give you insider info about the role and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for your interview by practising common questions related to safeguarding and multi-agency working. Use real-life examples from your experience to demonstrate your skills and passion for improving children's lives.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the team at Bracknell Forest. Good luck!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Social Worker – Family Safeguarding (£7k Welcome) in Bracknell
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for social work shine through! Talk about your experiences and how they align with our ethos of bettering vulnerable children's lives. We want to see that you genuinely care about making a difference.
Be Specific:Use specific examples from your past work to demonstrate your skills and experience. Whether it's about child protection or multi-agency collaboration, we love seeing concrete evidence of your capabilities. It helps us picture you in the role!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the job description. Highlight your relevant qualifications and experiences that match what we're looking for. This shows us that you've done your homework and are genuinely interested in joining our team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bracknell Forest Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the relevant legislation and policies related to safeguarding children. Familiarise yourself with the Family Safeguarding Model and how it operates, as well as the specific challenges faced by vulnerable children and families.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, express your genuine passion for relational social work. Share personal experiences or examples that highlight your commitment to improving children's lives and how you advocate for their needs.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since this role involves multi-agency working, be prepared to discuss your experience collaborating with other professionals. Highlight specific instances where you’ve successfully built partnerships and co-produced safety plans for children.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few insightful questions ready about the team culture, training opportunities, or how they support professional development. This shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
