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- Tasks: Support children and young people with complex needs in a dynamic team environment.
- Company: Bracknell Forest Council, committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare.
- Benefits: 28 days annual leave, hybrid working, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families.
- Qualifications: Must be a registered Social Worker with experience in children's social care.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with staff networks and a supportive culture.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 52000 £ per year.
Social Worker – Children\\\’s Specialist Support Team
An exciting, full-time, permanent opportunity for a Social Worker with safeguarding knowledge to join the Children\\\’s Specialist Support Team (CSST) to support children and young people with specialist and complex needs.
About You
- You must have a current Social Work England registration and have successfully completed your ASYE in a statutory children\\\’s social care setting.
- Experience of working with children and families including Child in Need and Child protection.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation, guidance, policies and thresholds; strong assessment and analytical skills.
- Ability to work in partnership with children, families and other professionals to develop needs-led plans; capable of working independently and as part of a team.
- Experience of working with children with disabilities and complex needs is desirable; training and development will be provided where needed.
About The Team
- The Children\\\’s Specialist Support Team (CSST) works with children who have disabilities and/or complex health needs. We provide services for children with additional needs and vulnerability, including the council\\\’s statutory responsibilities for disabled Children in Need in the community (including care packages and short breaks).
- The team integrates Occupational Therapy, Short Breaks, and a child-first, social-model approach; we emphasise partnership and collaborative working, often with domestic abuse, mental health and substance misuse professionals in co-located settings.
Key responsibilities
- Promote listening to children at every opportunity; ensure their views are heard, recorded and acted upon in an appropriate and timely manner; support life journey work with children and young people appropriate to their age and understanding.
- Hold a caseload and provide assessment, care planning, intervention and family support according to expertise.
- Assess and identify needs of children and families referred; negotiate delivery of services in line with statutory responsibilities and council policies using best value principles.
- Work with voluntary and statutory partner agencies within the context of the care plan to ensure provision of appropriate and effective services.
- Develop and maintain accurate case records and comply with department policies, procedures and data protection/GDPR requirements.
- Participate in regular reflective supervision and set clear goals and intervention strategies.
Benefits
- 28 days annual leave increasing to 33 days after 3 years; ability to buy up to 10 days or sell up to 5 days.
- Hybrid working opportunities to support wellbeing and work-life balance.
- Paid employee volunteering scheme.
- Local government pension scheme with life insurance cover.
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme (subject to eligibility).
- Reimbursement of Social Work England registration.
- Recognition of NHS/UKHSA continuous service for some benefits (Terms apply).
- Career development through internal and external training opportunities.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave.
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for health and wellbeing.
- Inclusive and social working environment with staff networks and a sports/social club.
Additional information
- Reasonable adjustments available during recruitment; contact the team to discuss needs.
- Interviews will be held on 14 October 2025; in person.
- Applications are reviewed regularly; the advert may close early if suitable candidates are identified.
- AI usage is not permitted during the interview.
- DBS check is required for successful candidates.
- We can only accept applications from candidates currently residing in the UK. Sponsorship availability is assessed case-by-case.
How to apply
Please apply online via the link provided. For an informal chat or questions about this role, please contact:
- Benigna Amago — Assistant Team Manager — Benigna.Amago@bracknell-forest.gov.uk
- Kylie Somenthal — Assistant Team Manager — Kylie.Somenthal@bracknell-forest.gov.uk
Employer: Bracknell Forest Council
Salary: £46,783 – £48,873 FTE (inclusive of London Weighting and Essential Car Use Allowance) plus 4% retention payment after 1 year service
Location: Time Square, Market Street, Bracknell, United Kingdom
Contract: Permanent | Working Pattern: Full Time | Hours: 37 per week | DBS: Enhanced
Closing Date: 05/10/2025 at 23:59
Equal Opportunities: Bracknell Forest Council – Working for Equality. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Note: Bracknell Forest Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All successful candidates will undergo a DBS check as part of pre-employment checks.
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Social Worker - Children\'s Specialist Support Team employer: Bracknell Forest Council
Contact Detail:
Bracknell Forest Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker - Children\'s Specialist Support Team
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who might know about opportunities in children's services. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to job openings that aren't even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your safeguarding knowledge and relevant legislation. We want you to showcase your expertise and passion for supporting children with complex needs, so practice answering common interview questions related to these topics.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your teamwork skills! In your interviews, highlight experiences where you've successfully collaborated with other professionals or families. This is key in the Children's Specialist Support Team, so let them know you're a team player.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the team for an informal chat before applying.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker - Children\'s Specialist Support Team
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for social work shine through! We want to see why you care about supporting children and families, so share your personal experiences or motivations that led you to this field.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role. Highlight your safeguarding knowledge and experience with children and families, especially in areas like Child in Need and Child Protection. We love seeing how your skills match what we're looking for!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
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, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out for an informal chat – we’re here to help!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bracknell Forest Council
✨Know Your Legislation
Brush up on relevant legislation and guidance related to children's social care. Being able to discuss specific laws and policies during your interview will show that you’re not just knowledgeable but also passionate about safeguarding children.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare examples from your past work with children and families, especially in Child in Need and Child Protection cases. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and highlight your assessment and analytical skills.
✨Demonstrate Collaborative Skills
Be ready to talk about how you’ve worked in partnership with other professionals. Share instances where you’ve successfully collaborated to develop needs-led plans for children and families, as teamwork is crucial in this role.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics and the specific challenges faced by the Children's Specialist Support Team. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
