At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families through assessment, planning, and effective intervention.
- Company: Join Cardiff's vibrant social work teams dedicated to child welfare.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, flexible working, and a £5,000 market supplement from April 2025.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Social Work and experience in safeguarding and child protection required.
- Other info: Opportunities for career progression and a dynamic, community-focused work culture.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Cardiff benefits from being the capital of Wales and is a growing city with a diverse population. The children of Cardiff need social workers who can respond to the diversity of needs and experiences which in turn offers social workers the opportunity to develop expertise and to lead practice within Wales.
Cardiff offers the opportunity to grow and develop through high quality training, regular and effective supervision, and a wide variety of opportunities to pursue career development, for example just this year we have 10 internal employee’s progress to higher positions within our Social Work teams.
We have resigned our services to follow the child’s journey and created locality teams that enable workers to link closely with communities and local services. There is a healthy culture of learning, support and family across our amazing social work teams.
This is an exciting opportunity to join the service which puts the individual at the heart of our work. The teams work from a strengths-based (Signs of Safety) approach to meet the needs of young people and their families. We have a diverse variety of casework, individual, dedicated and regular senior management support alongside progression opportunities for the successful candidates.
Cardiff is one of the fastest growing cities in Britain and is the first city in the UK to be declared as a UNICEF Child Friendly City that places the rights of children and young people at the head of our policies and strategies. Parents have the most significant influence on children and on their future lives. It is our belief that outcomes for children are best when they are supported to grow and achieve within their own families. This belief has driven the ‘Think Family’ approach which looks at the family as a whole and co-ordinates support across the public services, tailored to each family’s needs and strengths. If you are interested in being part of Cardiff’s journey to becoming one of the most vibrant and successful cities within the UK that puts Children first with the ambition of being a lead force behind practice development in Wales, we would be excited to hear from you.
About the job
Benefits offered
Cardiff is frequently found at the top of lists of best cities in the UK to live in so come join us and see what we can offer.
- A generous annual leave entitlement starting at 28 days per year to a maximum of 33 days per year after 5 years, with the option to purchase additional annual leave to a maximum of 10 days.
- Our working culture is flexible, with a flexi scheme allowing you to work to a schedule that suits you
- Hybrid working – supporting you to flexibly deliver your role whether on visits, from an office or your home
- With effect from 1st April 2025, these roles attract a market supplement of £5,000 (full time equivalent). This payment is reviewed on a 12 monthly basis.
This is just some of what Cardiff has to offer, take a look at our Social Work website for more information about all our benefits and hear from some of our social workers, talking about why cardiff is the place to be.
Cardiff Safeguarding and Children looked after teams are now based in 3 localities across the city at St Mellons in the East, Fairwater in the North and Cardiff Bay in the South enabling staff to be based within the communities that they serve. Within the team\’s geographical area you will support children and young people through robust assessment, outcome focused planning and effective intervention to support them in achieving positive outcomes within their families and communities. Working within a restorative practice approach, you will work in partnership with families and multi-agency colleagues in intervening to address both the presenting concerns and underlying difficulties.
What We Are Looking For From You
We are looking for experienced Social Workers.
The successful candidates must have robust safeguarding, child protection experience and be confident with court proceedings.
As a child protection social worker, you must be flexible and able to work under pressure.
Due to the nature of the role candidates must have front line post qualifying experience in child protection services.
A degree in Social Work is essential for this role, as well as excellent skills in assessment and the ability to write concise records and reports.
You will be a good team player, have excellent communication, organisation skills and IT skills.
We are also advertising for Grade 7 Social Workers. Although you are applying for this role we will also consider you for the Grade 7 post and the linked salary should we consider, through the interview process, your skills and experience more suited to that role.
Please refer to job description and person specification when applying for the above posts.
Additional information
With effect from 1st April 2025, these roles attract a market supplement of £5,000 (full time equivalent). This payment is reviewed on a 12 monthly basis.
These posts are subject to Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced checks.
This post has a requirement for registration with Social Care Wales.
Safeguarding and Child Protection are key priorities for the Council. We aim to support children and vulnerable adults to ensure they are as safe as they can possibly be. Our services and schools are committed to ensuring the safety and protection of all children and vulnerable adults, and will take action to safeguard their well-being, and acknowledge that children and vulnerable adults have a right to protection. This is supported in the general ethos of the Council and all schools.
This vacancy is suitable for post share.
We welcome applications in both English and Welsh. Applications received in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than English applications.
If you would like an informal conversation about this role prior to application, please contact Laura.white3@cardiff.gov.uk for a discussion.
We understand you might use AI and other resources for your application; however, please ensure all information you provide is factually accurate, truthful, original and does not include ideas or work that is not your own.
Please note the Council does not accept CV’s. When completing the supporting information section of your application, please ensure you refer to the below located on our website :
Important information you need read in order to complete your application:-
Job Category Social Services – Childrens
Working Pattern/Contract Type Full Time Permanent
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Locality Social Worker employer: Cyngor Caerdydd/Cardiff Council
Contact Detail:
Cyngor Caerdydd/Cardiff Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Locality Social Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Cardiff's social work teams. Understanding their strengths-based approach and community focus will help you connect with them during your chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for child welfare! When you're in the interview, share specific examples of how you've made a difference in children's lives. This will demonstrate that you truly care about the role and the community.
✨Tip Number 3
Ask questions that matter! Prepare some thoughtful questions about the team's culture, training opportunities, and how they implement the 'Think Family' approach. This shows you're genuinely interested in being part of their journey.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and the amazing benefits Cardiff has to offer.
We think you need these skills to ace Locality Social Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Stuff: Before you start writing, make sure you understand the job description inside out. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that match what they're looking for. This shows us you're serious about the role!
Be Personal: When filling out your application, don’t just stick to generic statements. Share your personal experiences and how they relate to the role. We want to see the real you and how you can contribute to our team in Cardiff.
Showcase Your Skills: Make sure to highlight your assessment and report-writing skills. These are crucial for a Social Worker role. Use specific examples from your past work to demonstrate how you've successfully used these skills in real situations.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need to make your application shine!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cyngor Caerdydd/Cardiff Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Signs of Safety approach and the Think Family model. Brush up on your safeguarding and child protection knowledge, as these are crucial for the role. Familiarise yourself with Cardiff's unique community needs to show you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that highlight your experience in child protection and court proceedings. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, making it easy for the interviewers to see how your skills align with their needs.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare questions that demonstrate your interest in the role and the team culture. Ask about the training opportunities or how the locality teams collaborate with families and other services. This shows you’re genuinely interested in contributing to their mission.
✨Be Yourself
The interviewers want to see the real you! Be honest about your experiences and what drives you in social work. Share your passion for supporting children and families, and don’t hesitate to express why you want to be part of Cardiff’s journey towards becoming a Child Friendly City.