Social Worker, Children\'s Disability Service

Overview

We are looking for a creative and professionally curious Social Worker to join our Children’s Disability Service based in Eastbourne.

Children’s Disability Service (CDS) is a small, dedicated service supporting the most vulnerable children and young people in the county. We provide extensive support to our social workers and have high aspirations for the children and young people we work with.

Our progressive approach includes the Connected Families intervention Practitioners (CFIP) to support social workers within a multi-agency team, allowing social workers to focus on direct work with children while CFIP practitioners provide support to parents/carers. Together, CFIP practitioners and social workers co-produce family assessments and participate in regular multi-agency peer supervision. We operate under a model of “Connected Practice,” focusing on building strong relationships with children and families to deliver long-lasting change.

We prioritise the quality of social work practice and provide strong leadership, stability, and security for families.

Responsibilities

• Undertake assessment and analysis of complex cases informed by research and theory, linking to the child’s plan.
• Engage effectively with children and families using creativity, compassion, and authority to build relationships, overcome resistance, and promote positive approaches to diversity and anti-discrimination.
• Co-produce family assessments with CFIP colleagues and participate in regular multi‑agency peer supervision.
• Deliver direct work with children and provide guidance and challenge as needed within the child’s plan.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of an ambitious and creative service that meets the complex needs of children with disabilities.

Qualifications

• Social work qualification (registered to practice in the UK).
• Desire to work with children with disabilities; bespoke training and development available.

Benefits, Environment & Development

Salary: £44,119 – £50,435 (Grade 11-12), including a market supplement until the end of June 2026. See the salaries scales page for basic salary details. We offer a range of training and development opportunities and an education team dedicated to supporting social workers to grow within and beyond their roles. Further information about benefits can be found on our benefits page.

How to apply

To apply for this role, please click the “Apply Now” button and upload your CV and a Supporting Statement. Your Supporting Statement will be used to shortlist, so please address how you meet all criteria in the person specification, drawing on relevant work/life experience, education, or personal interests. Main areas to address are:

• Your work with children and young people
• How you communicate with others
• Your application or research in theory in practice
• Your strong social work leadership skills

Interviews will take place face to face on 10 October at St Marys House (Eastbourne) or County Hall (Lewes).

For any reasonable adjustments to participate in the process due to disability, please contact the hiring manager. If sponsorship is required to work in the UK, please indicate this in your application.

Contact

Claire Collerson, Operations Manager
Email: Claire.collerson@Eastsussex.gov.uk
Phone: 01323 466050