At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families, ensuring their safety and wellbeing through positive relationships.
- Company: Join a supportive local authority with a strong commitment to social work excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, welcome payment, flexible working, and generous annual leave.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career in a thriving environment.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification, registration, and experience in frontline social work required.
- Other info: Access to training, career development, and a positive workplace culture.
The predicted salary is between 39152 - 47781 £ per year.
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.
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
- Welcome payment of £4,000*
- Annual retention payment of £2,000*
- 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
In our recent inspection in June 2025, our Children’s Services have been officially judged as ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ elements. Ofsted also said ‘Leaders have set out a clear vision for delivering success for children, by modelling values and creating a culture where the workforce, children and families feel valued and heard; risk is managed confidently with bottom lines clearly set out.’ This marks an important step in our journey to improve outcomes for our children and young people, and we remain focused on our mission: to continue building on this success and ensure that every child and young person in our county has the opportunity to thrive.
Gloucestershire offers a range of opportunities to develop your career, supported by a phenomenal Social Work Academy offer, a developing systemic practice methodology, an ambitious leadership team and an award-winning workforce. We are a local authority adopting, and training all colleagues in, systemic social work practice. If you would like to be part of 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 team’s full complement of staff. We need resilient, driven individuals who will play their part in making our vision for Children’s 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.
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/Wales 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 Children’s)
Social Worker/Senior Social Worker employer: Gloucestershire County Council
Contact Detail:
Gloucestershire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker/Senior Social Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current social workers or professionals in Gloucestershire through LinkedIn or local events. They can give you the inside scoop on what it’s really like working there and might even refer you for the job!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of systemic social work practice. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to the positive outcomes for children and families in Gloucestershire. Show them you’re passionate about making a difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to highlight your resilience and teamwork skills during interviews. They’re looking for driven individuals who can handle challenges while working collaboratively. Share specific examples from your experience that demonstrate these qualities!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll have access to all the latest job openings and updates directly from us!
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker/Senior Social Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of a Social Worker or Senior Social Worker. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission of supporting children and families in Gloucestershire.
Showcase Your Values: In your written application, reflect on our core values: Accountability, Empowerment, Excellence, Integrity, and Respect. We love seeing candidates who resonate with these values and can demonstrate them through their past experiences.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your skills and experiences shine through without unnecessary fluff. Remember, we’re looking for the right fit for our supportive environment!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our fantastic benefits there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Gloucestershire County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of a Social Worker or Senior Social Worker. Familiarise yourself with Gloucestershire's localities and the specific challenges they face. This will show your genuine interest and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your frontline experience in social work, especially any relevant cases that highlight your skills in building relationships and managing risk. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers effectively.
✨Emphasise Values and Culture Fit
The organisation values Accountability, Empowerment, Excellence, Integrity, and Respect. Think of examples from your past work that demonstrate these values. This will help you connect with the interviewers on a personal level.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the team dynamics, support structures, and career development opportunities within the authority. This shows you’re not just interested in the job, but also in how you can grow and contribute to the team.