At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families through impactful social work in a collaborative environment.
- Company: Join Lancashire County Council's innovative Family Safeguarding Service.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive team culture with ongoing training and career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Passion for social work and commitment to helping families thrive.
The predicted salary is between 36363 - 46142 £ per year.
Salary £36,363 - £46,142 per annum | Permanent, Full Time, 37 hours per week | Family Safeguarding - Preston. This role is not open to international sponsorship.
Ready for Your Next Step in Social Work? Whether you’re an experienced practitioner or newly qualified, if you’re passionate about making a difference, Lancashire’s Family Safeguarding Service will support you to thrive and develop your career.
If you’re a Newly Qualified Social Worker or Qualified but haven’t yet completed a statutory placement, we can still support you with:
- Career guidance into statutory social work
- Interview preparation and advice
- Insight into future opportunities within Lancashire
Come and Meet the Team – Taster Session. Thinking about joining us? Why not come along and meet the team first! We’re hosting a taster day where you’ll get the chance to:
- Meet the colleagues you’ll be working with
- Get a feel for our team culture and environment
- Ask questions and see what a typical day looks like
This is your opportunity to join a forward-thinking, supportive service where you’ll have the time, structure, and backing to deliver meaningful work with children and families.
Why Join Lancashire? At Lancashire County Council, we’ve built a progressive and innovative Family Safeguarding model that puts collaboration and relationships at the centre of practice. You’ll benefit from:
- Manageable caseloads so you can focus on quality, not quantity
- A stable and supportive management team
- A genuinely collaborative, multi-agency approach
- The chance to deliver relationship-based, impactful social work
Working in Family Safeguarding. Our Family Safeguarding teams are made up of specialist professionals working alongside social workers, including:
- Domestic Abuse Practitioners
- Domestic Abuse Officers
- Mental Health Practitioners
- Child & Family Practitioners
This model allows you to:
- Work more effectively with families through joined-up interventions
- Focus on sustainable, long-term change
- Reduce risk through shared expertise and support
- Build stronger, more meaningful relationships with children and parents
We use a strengths-based approach and Motivational Interviewing to empower families and improve outcomes.
About the Role. As a Children’s Social Worker, you will:
- Manage a caseload including Child in Need and Child Protection work
- Manage cases within the Public Law Outline
- Complete assessments, planning, and direct work with families
- Work within a supportive multidisciplinary team
- Deliver high-quality, reflective practice
- Help keep families together safely wherever possible
About You. Our children and young people tell us they want social workers who are:
- Kind and compassionate
- Reliable and thoughtful
- Flexible and understanding
- Able to spend time with them and really listen
- Committed to helping them feel safe and happy
If this sounds like you, you’ll be a great fit for our teams.
Training & Development. Your growth matters to us. We offer:
- A comprehensive induction via our Social Work Academy
- Ongoing training in Family Safeguarding and Motivational Interviewing
- Regular supervision, reflection, and peer support
- Clear opportunities to progress and develop your career
What We Offer. We recognise the importance of work-life balance and supporting your wellbeing:
- 26 days annual leave, rising to 32 + bank holidays
- Option to purchase up to 20 additional days
- Flexible working options
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Access to discounts, salary sacrifice schemes, and more
Apply Today. Closing Date: 31 July 2026. Interviews: Weekly. To apply, please submit your CV/Resume.
Lancashire’s ASYE offer provides a comprehensive, structured programme designed to support newly qualified social workers to thrive from day one. Through the Social Work Academy, you will begin with a two-week mandatory induction, followed by recall days at key milestones across your first year to support both portfolio development and your ongoing professional growth.
Our academy will provide you with bespoke learning opportunities, designed to enhance and build on your existing social work knowledge and equip you with the skills and confidence for successful practice and a long-term career in Lancashire. You’ll benefit from externally commissioned workshops focused on reflective practice, critical thinking, emotional intelligence and resilience, alongside regular drop-in sessions, peer support networks and access to experienced Practice Development Managers.
Our Academy also features inspiring guest speakers, such as Vicky Shevlin (Social Work Sorted) and Smash Life, who contribute to your professional and personal development, alongside monthly Lunch & Learn sessions where guest speakers share insight into their services.
With 10% protected learning time, opportunities to connect with over 30 services at the Social Work Academy Fayre, and 1:1 support where needed, Lancashire is committed to ensuring you feel valued, supported and confident in your practice. Your journey is recognised and celebrated, culminating in a formal ASYE celebration event to acknowledge your achievements and progression.
Additional Information. In return Lancashire County Council offers a range of benefits, which can be found on LCC Vacancies website. We reserve the right to close down a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications. Join Lancashire and be part of a service where you’re supported to do your best work and make a lasting difference for children and families.
Social Worker | Family Safeguarding | Preston employer: Lancashire County Council
At Lancashire County Council, we pride ourselves on being a supportive and innovative employer, dedicated to the professional growth of our social workers. With manageable caseloads, a collaborative work culture, and a comprehensive training programme through our Social Work Academy, we empower our employees to make meaningful impacts in the lives of children and families. Join us in Preston, where your contributions are valued, and enjoy a range of benefits including flexible working options and generous annual leave.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker | Family Safeguarding | Preston
✨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 Lancashire County Council.
✨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 Lancashire County Council!
✨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 Lancashire County Council, 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 Lancashire County Council 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 | Family Safeguarding | Preston
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 Lancashire County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Lancashire County Council! 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 Lancashire County Council
✨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.
