At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in care and ensure their well-being through positive relationships.
- Company: Join a dedicated team in Gloucestershire's Children in Care services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, welcome and retention payments, flexible working, and generous leave.
- Other info: Access to training, supportive environment, and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your social work career.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification, registration, and experience in frontline social work required.
The predicted salary is between 47181 - 47181 £ per year.
We are currently recruiting for a Social Worker to join our dedicated Children in Care Team in Cheltenham.
Reward and Support
- Between £39,152 - £47,181 per annum subject to experience (pro rata for part-time staff)
- £4,000 welcome payment*
- £2,000 retention 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 (pro rata for part-time staff)
- 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
- Links to employee networks such as Prism (LGBT+) and the Young Employees Network
- Career development and qualification opportunities
- Access to our Social Work Academy
- Cycle to Work scheme (eligibility criteria and t&cs apply)
- Green Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme (eligibility criteria and t&cs apply)
*Please note that all our welcome and retention payments are subject to terms and conditions as well as tax and national insurance deductions.
**Please note that our relocation policy is subject to terms and conditions.
Right child, right support, right time, every time.
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.
About the team
The Children in Care teams are made up of 5 Social Workers, and an Advanced Practitioner. The teams often have a newly qualified Social Worker, a Senior Social Worker and Experienced Social Workers, so you will always have support around you. Social Workers enjoy meeting up and sharing their expert knowledge about casework and we make the learning times an enjoyable occasion. The Gloucestershire Social Work Academy provide many training sessions to increase knowledge and understanding of the specialist work we do, such as Life Story Work for young people, to help them understand why they came into care. Also, we have team away days to consolidate our learning, and share our expertise throughout the team, as well as weekly team check ins, so that you never feel isolated as a practitioner.
About you
As a Social Worker within our Children in Care teams, 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 qualified after 2012
- A full driving licence and willingness to drive
- DBS clearance (Enhanced Adult’s and Children’s)
How to apply
For an informal chat about this role, please contact Marisa.Knight@gloucestershire.gov.uk.
Social Worker/Senior Social Worker - Children in Care in Gloucester employer: Healthcare Management
Join our dedicated Children in Care Team in Cheltenham, where we prioritise a supportive and positive work environment that values your contributions. With competitive salaries, generous leave policies, and access to our renowned Social Work Academy, we offer exceptional career development opportunities and a commitment to employee well-being. Experience the satisfaction of making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families while enjoying flexible working arrangements and a strong sense of community within our team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker/Senior Social Worker - Children in Care in Gloucester
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Healthcare Management.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Healthcare Management!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Healthcare Management, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Healthcare Management or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker/Senior Social Worker - Children in Care in Gloucester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Healthcare Management:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Healthcare Management! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Healthcare Management
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
