At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage caseloads and deliver impactful social work with families.
- Company: Lancashire County Council, a progressive and supportive workplace.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team with ongoing training and support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your social work career.
- Qualifications: Kind, compassionate, and committed to helping families feel safe and happy.
Salary £36,363 - £46,142 per annum | Permanent, Full Time, 37 hours per week | Family Safeguarding - Chorley
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
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.
Benefits:
- 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:
- 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:
- 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
Training & Development:
- 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:
- 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. For an informal, confidential chat: Andrea.Hull@lancashire.gov.uk
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 | Chorley employer: Lancashire County Council
Lancashire County Council is an exceptional employer for social workers, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment in Chorley. With manageable caseloads, a stable management team, and a commitment to professional development through ongoing training and clear career progression opportunities, you will be empowered to make a meaningful impact on families' lives. Enjoy generous benefits including flexible working options, a comprehensive pension scheme, and ample annual leave, all while being part of a progressive Family Safeguarding model that prioritises relationship-based practice.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker | Family Safeguarding | Chorley
✨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.
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.
