At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our First Response team to support children and families in need.
- Company: Leicestershire County Council, committed to outstanding social work.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and excellent training opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working options available to suit your lifestyle.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in children's services.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 36000 £ per year.
Organisation: Leicestershire County Council
Work Location: County Hall, Glenfield, LE3 8RA
Worker Category: Field Based Worker
Salary: £32,070 - £42,699 per annum (pro rata for part time) plus market premia £3,283 per annum
Working Hours: 37 hours per week & 18.5 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 04th January 2026
Interview Date(s): 13th January 2026
Come and be part of our Outstanding First Response Children’s Duty. 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 and families 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.
About the Role
Our First Response Children’s Duty comprises of a screening and assessment team. The screening team is responsible for incoming information regarding children and families, considering support needs, safeguarding and assessing risk. The assessment team is responsible for Section 17, assessment of need across the county, as well as safeguarding Section 47 enquiries. You will need to be adaptable, to work well under pressure both individually and as part of a team and work to tight timescales.
In Leicestershire, we have a fantastic package to provide our workers. This includes hybrid working, celebrating diversity with a range of events throughout the year, recognition of our staff in annual Pride In Practice events, fantastic learning and training opportunities – enabling our staff to develop and progress within their roles and committed wellbeing support.
We are proud of our continuous improvement plan - Achieving Excellence through Purposeful Practice which sets out our key values, behaviours and ambitions. We have embedded the Signs of Safety approach throughout our services and this approach mirrors our values of Aspiration, Being Curious and Collaboration. We are focused on working with families and the networks of family, friends and professionals around children, to work in collaboration to achieve shared goals.
We are committed to our vision of becoming a trauma-informed responsive department where we believe we are “stronger together”. Our culture is one of partnership, where we look for solutions and recognise the potential impact of trauma on the children and families we work with and on our staff. We will strive to create a safe, compassionate, healing environment demonstrated through relationships based on trust, respect, hope and empathy.
We will achieve this through a spirit of curiosity, by nurturing connections through relationships, making a deliberate effort to know and understand people, and by providing hope for growth and recovery.
We support and empower our staff to be the best that they can be. We will give you the support and resources that you need to work in collaboration with children and families.
DBS enhanced check for a regulated activity is required for this post.
About You
To apply for this post, you must respond to and evidence the following 7 essential criteria within your personal statement. This should be no more than 1,000 words:
- Be a qualified Social Worker holding a Social Work degree or equivalent, e.g., CQSW, DipSW (with specialism in children’s services) and be registered with Social Work England, hold a valid driving licence and access to a vehicle.
- Extensive knowledge and application of social work legislation, methodologies, social care policies, guidance, procedures and case reviews with a commitment to your continuous professional development.
- Have ability and experience of supporting with service performance and the learning and development of individuals as well as a team.
- You must also understand, and commitment to, equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Have experience and understand the importance of multi‑agency working and the differing roles, responsibilities, remit and functions of other parts of the wider service and agencies.
- The ability to communicate clearly and accurately, both orally and in writing, with a wide range of people, including representatives from other agencies, using skills of negotiation and persuasion.
- Have good IT skills, including Microsoft Outlook and Word, and database applications.
- Excellent demonstration of the ability to prioritise effectively across a wide range of competing demands to meet deadlines.
- Time management skills and the ability to respond flexibly to changing requirements.
You must hold a full, valid, UK driving licence (or be able to convert your current licence) AND have access to a vehicle.
Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability.
Interested in Flexible Working? We are keen to support employees to balance their working life with other commitments. Therefore, wherever possible, we will consider working arrangements that suit an individual’s personal circumstances whilst still meeting the needs of the Council.
How to Apply
Leicestershire County Council is an inclusive organisation which is on a journey to embed and celebrate equality, diversity and inclusion at every level. We warmly welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, as having a diverse workforce with different perspectives and ideas is fundamental to our values and enriches the services we offer our communities.
To apply for this job, please click on 'Apply Now'. You will need to upload a supporting statement as part of your application which explains how you meet the criteria listed in the 'About You' section above.
Social Worker-First Response employer: Golearnleicestershire
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 employee wellbeing, continuous professional development, and a supportive work culture that celebrates diversity, we empower our staff to thrive in their roles. Our commitment to flexible working arrangements and a trauma-informed approach ensures that our team can balance their personal and professional lives while contributing to a compassionate community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker-First Response
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Leicestershire County Council and their First Response 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 interview process and what it’s really like to work there, which can give you an edge over other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses! Think about how your experiences align with the essential criteria listed in the job description. Prepare examples that showcase your skills in multi-agency working and communication, as these are key for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll have access to all the resources we offer to support your journey in social work. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker-First Response
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm 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 Statement:Make sure to address each of the essential criteria listed in the job description. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your skills and experience. Don’t just list them; show us how you’ve applied them in real situations!
Keep It Clear and Concise:While you have up to 1,000 words, it’s important to be clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We want to understand your qualifications without having to decipher complex sentences!
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, this gives you time to review and refine your statement before hitting 'submit'!
How to prepare for a job interview at Golearnleicestershire
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of social work legislation and methodologies. Familiarise yourself with the Signs of Safety approach, as it’s a key part of their practice. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the role.
✨Show Your Passion for Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with families and multi-agency teams, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight your ability to build strong relationships and communicate effectively with various stakeholders.
✨Demonstrate Adaptability
The job requires someone who can work well under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances. Think of specific instances where you've had to adjust your approach or priorities quickly, and be ready to discuss them during the interview.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Diversity
Leicestershire County Council values equality, diversity, and inclusion. Be sure to articulate your understanding of these principles and provide examples of how you've promoted them in your previous roles. This will resonate well with their commitment to creating a balanced workforce.
