At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families in need with targeted help and holistic assessments.
- Company: Bradford Children and Families Trust, dedicated to enhancing children's services.
- Benefits: Generous leave, excellent pension, health support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a passionate team committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while building meaningful relationships.
- Qualifications: Social Work Degree and registration with Social Work England required.
The predicted salary is between 42839 - 46142 £ per year.
Social Workers – Family Help. Salary: PO3, £42,839 – £46,142 per annum (SCP 32–35). Permanent, 37 hours per week. Locality: Bradford District.
About Us
Bradford Children and Families Trust was established in April 2023 to enhance the quality and delivery of Children’s Services across the Bradford district. Our approach is rooted in restorative and relational practice, fostering trust, mutual respect and meaningful relationships with children, families and professionals. Family Help is part of national reform work within the Families First Programme to enable change in how children and families are supported.
The Role
You will work with and support families who need targeted and intensive help. The role engages children and families with complex circumstances so that need can be identified early and addressed with whole-family support and planning. The role is in a team that comprises Senior Family Support Workers, Social Workers and colleagues from partner agencies.
Key Responsibilities
- Work alongside families to complete a comprehensive, holistic and strengths-based assessment of need and agree appropriate plans for children and families.
- Connect relationally with families to ensure the participation of children and families in their own assessment, plans and reviews.
- Provide restorative direct work and support using creative, child- and family-friendly approaches to build trust and effective relationships and understand the lived experiences of children.
- Engage and work in partnership with other professionals to deliver tailored help and support that makes a positive difference.
- Understand and work within legal frameworks, policies and procedures appropriate to children and families.
- Work with children and families on a Child In Need basis.
- Recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns appropriately.
- Provide social work consultation and support to colleagues when there is escalation in need with families.
- Lead timely advice-giving, referral and/or duty processes so that children and families are supported at the right level; may include acting as a first point of contact.
- Lead plans for children and families and coordinate multi-agency support and meetings to deliver tailored Family Help.
- Arrange and chair regular meetings and reviews with the children and family at the heart of the work.
- Maintain comprehensive, accurate and up-to-date records using electronic systems and equipment.
- Write assessments and reports as required.
Requirements / About You
- Hold a Social Work Degree/DIPSW or equivalent qualification.
- Be registered with Social Work England as a qualified social worker.
- Have a full driving license and car available for work (unless a disability prevents this).
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Experience in delivering high-quality outcomes for children and young people.
- Ability to build strong relationships with children, families, colleagues and partner agencies.
- Passionate about working directly with children, young people and parents; recent case holder experience is essential.
- Ability to write high-quality reports and assessments and analyse information effectively.
- Ability to apply anti-discriminatory practice and challenge bias, prejudice and intolerance in day-to-day work.
- Ability to work with others in the children and young people’s workforce to keep the child at the heart of decision making.
Benefits
- Retention Payment: eligible for annual retention payment, paid in 12 monthly instalments (non-contractual; reviewed annually).
- Generous annual leave (31 days rising to 34 with service) plus bank holidays.
- Excellent Local Government pension.
- Family-friendly policies and enhanced parental leave.
- Health & wellbeing support, including Occupational Health and counselling.
- Professional development and career progression opportunities.
- National Living Wage employer.
For full details of benefits, see the attached Our Benefits brochure. To arrange a discussion about the role, contact Zoë Crosby - Family Help Service Manager at zoe.crosby2@bradfordcft.org.uk. Closing date: 14 June 2026. Shortlisting: w/c 15 June 2026. Interview: 26 June 2026.
Bradford Children and Families Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment. If shortlisted, you will be required to disclose relevant information regarding criminal history prior to interview. A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check including a check against the Children’s barred list will be carried out on preferred candidates.
Social Worker Level 3 - Family Help in Bradford employer: Bradford Children and Families Trust
Bradford Children and Families Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to enhancing the quality of children's services in the Bradford district. With a strong focus on restorative practices, our supportive work culture fosters meaningful relationships and collaboration among professionals, ensuring that social workers have ample opportunities for professional development and career progression. Employees enjoy generous benefits, including a competitive salary, extensive annual leave, and health and wellbeing support, making it a rewarding place to work for those passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of children and families.
Contact Details:
Bradford Children and Families Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker Level 3 - Family Help in Bradford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, attend local events, and join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios specific to social work. Think about how you would handle complex family situations and be ready to share your experiences. We want to see your passion and problem-solving skills shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your strengths! Bring along examples of your previous work with families, including any assessments or reports you've written. This will help demonstrate your ability to connect with families and deliver high-quality outcomes.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Bradford Children and Families Trust.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker Level 3 - Family Help in Bradford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for working with children and families shine through. We want to see your genuine interest in making a positive impact on their lives.
Be Specific:Use specific examples from your experience to demonstrate your skills and achievements. We love seeing how you've made a difference in previous roles, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the role of Social Worker Level 3 - Family Help. Highlight your relevant qualifications and experiences that align with our values and the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep everything organised!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bradford Children and Families Trust
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with the Bradford Children and Families Trust's approach to restorative and relational practice. Brush up on the Families First Programme and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission to support families in need.
✨Showcase Your Interpersonal Skills
As a Social Worker, building relationships is key. Prepare examples of how you've successfully connected with families and children in the past. Think about specific situations where your interpersonal skills made a difference in a challenging scenario.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to handle complex family situations. Practice responding to hypothetical scenarios that involve safeguarding concerns or multi-agency collaboration. This will show your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
✨Highlight Your Report Writing Skills
Since writing assessments and reports is part of the job, be prepared to discuss your experience in this area. Bring examples of reports you've written and be ready to explain how you ensure they are comprehensive and high-quality.
