At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct impactful parenting assessments and support children’s wellbeing through specialist evaluations.
- Company: Join Bracknell Forest Council's Family Safeguarding Team, dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days annual leave, hybrid working, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive environment with staff networks and a supportive community.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Must be a registered Social Worker with at least three years of relevant experience.
The predicted salary is between 49918 - 53048 € per year.
We are looking for an experienced and skilled Senior Social Worker to join our Family Safeguarding Team as a Parenting Assessor. This non‑case‑holding role offers a meaningful opportunity to make a real impact on children’s lives through focused, specialist assessment work. Based at Time Square, Bracknell, you will be required on site at least three days per week with flexibility for home and community work.
Responsibilities
- Complete in‑depth, analytical parenting assessments (including pre‑birth) with a focus on parental capacity and potential for change, producing high‑quality reports with clear recommendations within stipulated timescales.
- Carry out additional assessments such as risk assessments or ‘Together and Apart’ assessments when required.
- Promote listening to children at every opportunity, ensuring their views are heard, recorded and acted upon promptly.
- Coordinate multi‑agency contributions to assessment, planning and intervention, working within the multidisciplinary Family Safeguarding Model to drive change and provide effective support.
- Attend Permanency Planning meetings and contribute to care planning for children.
- Participate in reflective supervision, presenting analytical assessment findings and recommendations in monthly group case supervisions alongside allocated social workers and partners.
- Support and mentor less experienced colleagues, including newly qualified Social Workers, Family Workers and Social Work Students.
Qualifications
- Registered with Social Work England.
- At least three years post‑qualifying experience in Children’s Social Care, including significant experience in child protection, care planning and legal processes.
- Experience in completing detailed, analytical assessments and preparing court‑ready reports.
Benefits
- 28 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 3 years of continuous service, with options to buy up to 10 days and sell up to 5 days.
- Hybrid working opportunities supporting wellbeing and work‑life balance.
- Paid employee volunteering scheme.
- Local government pension scheme with life insurance cover.
- Reimbursement of one annual professional subscription/registration.
- Reimbursement of Social Work England registration.
- Career development through internal and external training opportunities.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave.
- Employee assistance programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing.
- Inclusive social‑working environment with staff networks and a sports and social club.
Salary and Working Pattern
Annual salary £49,918–£53,048, inclusive of London Weighting and essential car‑user allowance, with a 4% annual retention payment payable after one year’s service. This role is full time (37 hours per week) and offers flexible hours with a hybrid working pattern.
Equal Opportunities
Bracknell Forest Council is an equal‑opportunity employer, welcoming applications from all sections of the community.
Only UK Residents
Applicants must currently reside in the United Kingdom.
Senior Social Worker - Parenting Assessor (£49,918–£53,048 plus 4% Retention Payment after 1 year) employer: Bracknell Forest Council
Bracknell Forest Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. As a Senior Social Worker in the Family Safeguarding Team, you will benefit from flexible hybrid working arrangements, extensive annual leave, and opportunities for career development through training and mentorship. Located in Time Square, Bracknell, you will be part of a dedicated team making a meaningful impact on children's lives while enjoying a range of employee benefits, including a local government pension scheme and a paid volunteering programme.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Worker - Parenting Assessor (£49,918–£53,048 plus 4% Retention Payment after 1 year)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in social work, especially those who are already in the Family Safeguarding Team or similar roles. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your analytical assessment skills. Be ready to discuss your past experiences with parenting assessments and how you've made a difference in children's lives. We want to hear your stories!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your teamwork skills! This role involves coordinating with multiple agencies, so be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past. We love a good team player!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who want to make a real impact in social work.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Social Worker - Parenting Assessor (£49,918–£53,048 plus 4% Retention Payment after 1 year)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in child protection and analytical assessments. We want to see how your skills align with the role of a Parenting Assessor, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Your Impact:When detailing your previous roles, focus on the impact you've made in children's lives. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to drive change and support families effectively. We love seeing real-life stories!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate well-structured reports, so show us you can communicate effectively right from the start!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bracknell Forest Council
✨Know Your Assessments
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of parenting assessments and the specific methodologies used in child protection. Be ready to discuss your previous experiences in detail, especially any analytical assessments you've completed, as this will show your expertise in the field.
✨Showcase Your Multi-Agency Experience
Highlight your experience working within multi-agency frameworks. Prepare examples of how you've coordinated with other professionals to drive change and support families. This is crucial for demonstrating your ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.
✨Emphasise Child-Centric Approaches
Be prepared to discuss how you ensure children's voices are heard in assessments. Share specific instances where you've successfully advocated for a child's needs or incorporated their views into your reports. This will showcase your commitment to child welfare.
✨Reflective Practice Matters
Since reflective supervision is part of the role, think about how you can present your analytical findings effectively. Prepare to discuss how you've used feedback from supervision to improve your practice and mentor others, which will demonstrate your leadership potential.
