At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families, ensuring their safety and well-being.
- Company: Join Gloucestershire County Council, dedicated to improving lives in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a £4,000 welcome payment.
- Other info: Opportunities for career development and a strong focus on teamwork.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Must have Social Work England registration and relevant qualifications.
The predicted salary is between 31900 - 38200 £ per year.
This is a Gloucestershire County Council job.
- Job Title: Children and Families Senior Social Worker/ Social Worker
- Job Location: Gloucestershire
- Salary: 39,152 - 47,181 per annum
- Hours per Week: 37
- Contract Type: Permanent
- Closing Date: Ongoing
- Job Requisition Number: 13952
- This post is open to job share
We are currently recruiting for Social Workers and Senior Social Workers in all our locality teams. Gloucestershire covers six localities: Gloucester, Cheltenham, Tewkesbury, Forest of Dean, Stroud, Cotswolds
About us
For all your hard work. You will receive the following;
- between 39,152 - 40,777 per annum for a Social Worker or between 41,771 - 47,181 per annum for a Senior Social Worker subject to experience
- annual retention payment of 2,000*
- 4,000 welcome payment
- up to 8,000 relocation package**
- flexible and agile working opportunities
- 25.5 days annual leave rising to 30.5 days after 5 years continuous service
- an option to purchase 10 days of additional leave per year (pro-rata for part-time staff)
- family friendly policies and benefits to help support you and your family
- supportive and positive working environment with regular, robust supervision
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that provides free, confidential, counselling and advice for employees, available 24 hours a day, online and by telephone.
- an in-house Occupational Health service
- employee discount scheme
- cycle to Work scheme
- links to employee networks such as Prism (LGBT+) and the Young Employees Network
- career development and qualification opportunities
- access to our Social Work Academy
- paid SWE registration renewal
Right child, right support, right time, every time
Working together to support families and communities to give every child the best chance of a happy and rewarding life, especially those who need more help.
We have ambitious improvement and transformation plans to create the optimum conditions within which our staff can make a real difference and improve outcomes for children.
We aim for the same Social Worker to support children and their families from the front door until permanence is achieved either through positive change and the child remaining with their parent/s or legal permanence being secured either within the family or outside of the family.
We are a local authority adopting, and training all colleagues in, systemic social work practice. If you would like to join an authority that takes a relational approach to working with families and focuses on what needs to change in the system around a child and family to enable children to thrive, then consider a role with GCC.
Our team structures are designed to ensure there is the right level of support available to staff and that caseloads are kept at a manageable level with a Team Manager, Advanced Practitioner, 4 Social Workers and an NQSW making up each teams full complement of staff. We need resilient, driven individuals who will play their part in making our vision for Childrens Services a success. You will be joining an authority with a strong set of values that underpin the work we do: Accountability, Empowerment, Excellence, Integrity and Respect.
About you
As a Social Worker, you will be instrumental in delivering a first-class service to ensure the best outcomes for the children and young people of Gloucestershire. Through building positive relationships with colleagues within the service and partner agencies you will ensure we are able to provide support and protection for children and young people in need and at risk.
As well as your experience as a frontline social worker,there are some things we require of you to be successfully appointed to this post:
- Social Work England registration
- a recognised qualification in Social Work
- to have passed your Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE)(if you qualified after 2012)
- a full driving licence and willingness to drive
- DBS clearance (Enhanced Adults and Childrens)
If you would like to find out more about our Children's Service please take a look here: Children's Social Care Careers | Gloucestershire County Council
We welcome applications from newly qualified and social workers in the early years of their career. Depending on your qualification date and previous experience, you will be invited to either join our accredited ASYE programme or to complete an alternative earlycareer development in-house pathway. The appropriate option will be explored and confirmed as part of the interview and offer process.
*Please note, all our welcome payments and retention payments are non-contractual, pro rata for part-time staff and subject to National Insurance and tax deductions.
We reserve the right to close an advertisement earlier than the stated closing date if we receive a suitable amount of applications or fill the vacancy/vacancies.
The council will consider sponsorship for this role, in line with Home Officeregulations and subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks.
If you are an Internal applicant and consider yourself to have a disability* as per the Equality Act (2010), please declare this in an email to , as this is NOT currently covered in the application due to a technical error.
By providing this information, you can choose to be considered for a guaranteed interview under our Disability Confident pledge if you meet all essential shortlisting criteria. It also enables the recruiting manager to arrange any reasonable adjustments you may need during the interview process.
*a disability is defined as: a physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and long-term (more than 12 months) adverse effect on a persons ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
Under the terms of our Safer Recruitment Policy, if you are invited to interview, we will take up safeguarding references prior to your interview to understand your suitability to work with vulnerable children. These references will then be discussed in your interview. Please give details of at least two referees, one of whom must be your present and/or last employer and the other from a previous employer(s). These will need to cover the last three years of employment/education. In the case of applicants leaving full time education or not having worked since doing so, the Head of School, College or University should be one of the named referees.We do not accept references from friends or family members or workplace colleagues (who are not more senior). To ensure we process your application in a speedy and efficient way, we will contact your referees by DocuSign. Where appropriate, please inform them of your application.
Additional Information
To access the Job Profile for this role, please follow the link below:-
Senior Social Worker Role Profile
This position is subject to a DBS check.
Gloucestershire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people or vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We want to be an employer of choice, attracting and retaining excellent people to work for us, so that we can best serve all of Gloucestershires diverse communities. Our promise to you is that we will provide an inclusive and supportive working environment that enables you to bring your whole self to work and realise your full potential.
It is a legal requirement, under the Immigration Act 2016, that anyone appointed to a customer facing role must be able to demonstrate an ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in fluent English.
Hybrid working arrangements are available for the majority of our roles, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice, with a mix of both remote and office working.
Children and Families Senior Social Worker/ Social Worker, Permanent employer: Gloucestershire County Council
Gloucestershire County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and positive work environment for Social Workers and Senior Social Workers in the picturesque locations of Gloucester, Cheltenham, Tewkesbury, Stroud, Cirencester, and Forest of Dean. With competitive salaries, generous annual leave, flexible working options, and a strong commitment to employee development through our Social Work Academy, we empower our staff to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in our communities.
Contact Details:
Gloucestershire County Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children and Families Senior Social Worker/ Social Worker, Permanent
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific locality areas mentioned in the job description, such as Gloucester and Cheltenham. Understanding the unique challenges and resources in these communities can help you demonstrate your commitment and readiness to support families effectively.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Gloucestershire County Council. Engaging with them can provide valuable insights into the organisational culture and expectations, which you can leverage during your interview to show that you're a great fit for the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with systemic social work practice, as this is a key focus for the role. Be ready to share examples of how you've applied this approach in your previous work, highlighting your ability to create positive change for children and families.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your understanding of the values that underpin the work at Gloucestershire County Council, such as Accountability and Integrity. During your interview, relate your personal values and experiences to these principles to demonstrate alignment with their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Children and Families Senior Social Worker/ Social Worker, Permanent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in social work, particularly with children and families. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills and achievements in similar roles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for social work and your understanding of the role. Mention how your values align with those of Gloucestershire County Council, such as accountability and respect.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications:Clearly state your qualifications, including your Social Work England registration and any relevant training. If you have completed your Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE), make sure to mention it.
Prepare for References:Identify at least two referees who can vouch for your professional experience. Ensure one is from your current or last employer and the other from a previous role, covering the last three years of employment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Gloucestershire County Council
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the job description and the specific responsibilities of a Children and Families Senior Social Worker. Familiarise yourself with the key values of the organisation, such as Accountability, Empowerment, Excellence, Integrity, and Respect, as these will likely come up during your discussion.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect to be asked about real-life scenarios you might face in this role. Prepare examples from your past experience that demonstrate your problem-solving skills, ability to work under pressure, and how you build relationships with families and colleagues. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Show Your Commitment to Continuous Learning
Highlight your commitment to professional development and continuous learning, especially in relation to systemic social work practice. Be ready to discuss any training or qualifications you have pursued and how they have prepared you for this role. This shows that you are proactive and dedicated to improving your skills.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, take the opportunity to ask thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, support structures, and the council's vision for children's services. This not only demonstrates your interest in the role but also helps you assess if the organisation aligns with your values and career goals.
