At a Glance
- Tasks: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families in care.
- Company: Join Leicestershire County Council's Outstanding Children in Care Service.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and a supportive environment.
- Other info: Open to diverse applicants and committed to professional development.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant team making positive changes in the community.
- Qualifications: Social Work degree and experience with children and families required.
The predicted salary is between 33500 - 37000 £ per year.
Organisation: Leicestershire County Council
Work Location: County Hall Glenfield LE3 8RA
Salary: £38,734 - £42,448 per annum (pro-rata for part-time) (inclusive of market premia at £3,283)
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 1st March 2026
Interview Date(s): 16th March 2026 TBC
About the Role
Come and be part of our Outstanding Children in Care Service. It’s an exciting time to be a part of Children and Family Services at Leicestershire County Council, our staff are at the heart of delivering excellent services to children in care across Leicestershire. Our recent Ofsted inspection praised Leicestershire's work to build "strong and long-lasting relationships" with children and families which lead to many families achieving "positive changes" in their lives. They highlighted an "ambitious and child-focused senior leadership that has successfully created a culture where the experiences and progress of children at the heart of social work practice". An enhanced with barred list DBS check is required for this post.
About You
To apply for this post, you must be able to evidence in your application how you meet the following criteria:
- Social Work degree or equivalent, e.g. CQSW, DipSW (with specialism in children’s services).
- Post-qualification experience of working with children and families.
- Experience of statutory child care social work, including safeguarding, child protection and care proceedings.
- Continuing professional development, including self-development.
- Knowledge of safeguarding, child-care legislation and social work practice.
- Knowledge of social work methods and model, of the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families.
- You must hold a full, valid, UK driving licence (or be able to convert your current licence) AND have access to a vehicle.
- Ability to communicate clearly, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to analyse information to reach a decision.
- Ability to manage your time and prioritise tasks, with the ability to respond flexibly to changing requirements.
In addition, we also expect you to share our commitment to our values and will ask you to evidence when you have demonstrated them as part of the selection process. Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability. We are a Disability Confident Employer.
Interested in Flexible Working? We are open to discussions about flexible working, which may include part time working, job sharing, term-time working, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
How to Apply
At Leicestershire County Council we’re looking for top talent from all walks of life. Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, and whatever your background - we care about what you bring to our organisation, not just what’s on your CV. That’s why we’ve designed a recruitment process that’s fair, accessible, and focused on potential. If you share our passion to make a difference for the people of Leicestershire, we’d love to hear from you. Click the apply button to submit your application, ensuring that you upload a supporting statement that explains how you meet the criteria listed in the ‘About You’ section above. Without this information, we won’t be able to assess your suitability for the role, and your application will be rejected.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Social Worker- Children in Care Team A employer: ESPO Trading Limited
Leicestershire County Council is an outstanding employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families. With a strong focus on professional development, flexible working options, and a supportive work culture, we empower our staff to thrive while delivering exceptional services. Join our vibrant team at County Hall in Glenfield, where your contributions will be valued and recognised as we work together to create positive changes in our community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker- Children in Care Team A
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Leicestershire County Council and their Children in Care Team. Understanding their values and recent achievements will help you connect during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can provide insider tips about the team culture and what it’s really like to work there, which can give you an edge in your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about how you’ve demonstrated the skills and experiences listed in the job description. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and make them impactful.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows professionalism and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker- Children in Care Team A
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your passion for social work shine through! We want to see how much you care about making a difference in the lives of children and families. Share personal experiences or motivations that drive you to this field.
Tailor Your Supporting Statement:Make sure your supporting statement is tailored to the criteria listed in the job description. We need to see clear examples of how you meet each requirement, so don’t hold back on showcasing your skills and experiences!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that are easy to read. Avoid jargon and make sure your communication reflects the excellent interpersonal skills we’re looking for.
Apply Early!:Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the vacancy early if we get enough applications, so get yours in as soon as you can. Plus, it gives you peace of mind to focus on crafting a great application!
How to prepare for a job interview at ESPO Trading Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of safeguarding, child-care legislation, and social work practices. Familiarise yourself with the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families, as this will likely come up during your interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your experience with children and families, especially in statutory child care social work. Think about times when you made a positive impact and be ready to discuss these situations in detail.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Since excellent communication skills are crucial for this role, consider doing mock interviews with friends or family to refine your responses and ensure you convey your ideas effectively.
✨Align with Their Values
Research Leicestershire County Council's values and think about how your personal values align with theirs. Be prepared to provide examples of how you've demonstrated similar values in your previous roles, as this will show your commitment to their mission.
