At a Glance
- Tasks: Assess referrals and make critical decisions to support children and families.
- Company: Join Leicester City Council's innovative Duty and Advice Service.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hybrid working, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives with a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Post-qualifying experience and a recognised Social Work qualification required.
The predicted salary is between 42839 - 46142 £ per year.
The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.
Job reference: REQ8103
Date posted: 21/07/2026
Application closing date: 04/08/2026
Location: Hybrid working - Home and Leicester City Offices
Salary: £42,839.00 - £46,142.00
Package Total benefit value (includes pension contribution and full holiday entitlement): £62,918.92
Contractual hours: 37
Basis: Full time
Job category/type: Children's Social Care
We're looking for a passionate and experienced Level 3 Social Worker to join our welcoming and supportive Duty and Advice Service. Join Leicester City Council's Duty and Advice Service – a 24-hour front-door service for Children's Social Care. This is a unique opportunity for experienced social workers looking for a fast-paced, non-case holding role where you'll make critical decisions, assess safeguarding concerns and ensure children and families receive the right support at the right time.
With flexible hybrid working, regular 1:1 supervision, excellent professional development and the opportunity to work from home for two weeks out of three, this role offers the perfect balance of challenge, support and flexibility.
As part of our continued service development, we're looking for social workers who thrive in a busy environment, enjoy making informed decisions, and are passionate about achieving positive outcomes for children and families. At Leicester, you'll be joining a team that values collaboration, reflection and professional development. We use the Signs of Safety practice model and provide regular supervision, peer support and learning opportunities to help you develop and thrive in your role.
One of the benefits of joining our Duty and Advice Service is that this is a non-case holding role. You'll focus on assessing referrals, analysing risk and making decisions, without the responsibility of carrying a long-term caseload.
If you're ambitious for children, enjoy working at pace and want to be part of an innovative service that makes a real difference, we'd love to hear from you.
What you'll be doing:
- Assessing referrals received into Children's Services and making informed decisions regarding next steps.
- Undertake complex screening and assessments of referrals.
- Analyse safeguarding risks and make timely threshold decisions.
- Determine whether referrals can be safely closed at the front door, require Early Help intervention, or need to progress to statutory social work teams.
- Liaise with partner agencies and contribute to multi-agency decision-making.
- Provide professional advice and guidance relating to children's safeguarding concerns.
- Lead on complex decision-making and support less experienced practitioners through mentoring and professional leadership.
- Participate in a 24-hour rota service, including shift work, out-of-hours decision-making and occasional visits when responding to urgent safeguarding matters.
This is a rewarding and fast-paced role where no two days are the same, offering excellent opportunities to develop your assessment, analysis and decision-making skills.
What you'll need:
- Post-qualifying experience as a Social Worker and a strong understanding of safeguarding, assessment and threshold decision-making within Children's Services.
- Knowledge of relevant children's legislation, guidance, standards and regulations and be confident in balancing risk, analysing information and making appropriate decisions.
- A recognised Social Work qualification (CQSW, DipSW, CSS or equivalent) and be registered with Social Work England.
- A full driving licence and be willing to undertake occasional out-of-hours visits as part of the service rota.
- A DBS check will be completed as part of the appointment process.
What we can offer you:
- A unique opportunity to work within the UK's only designated 24-hour Duty and Advice Service.
- A non-case holding role focused on assessment and decision-making.
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements, including home working opportunities.
- Regular one-to-one supervision and a supportive management team.
- Excellent training, development and career progression opportunities.
- Generous annual leave entitlement.
- Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
- A range of employee benefits, including discounts on city buses and trains.
- Relocation support where appropriate.
We're committed to recruiting a diverse and highly talented workforce as we continue to build a council that reflects and represents our great city. We've designed our recruitment process to help you feel welcomed, supported and able to show your best throughout the selection process.
Level 3 Social Worker Duty and Advice Service in Leicester employer: Leicester Bus Partnership
The Leicester Bus Partnership is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work environment that prioritises work-life balance and employee well-being. With competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and ample training opportunities, we empower our staff to grow and excel in their roles, making Beaumont Park a rewarding place to develop your career in tree maintenance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Level 3 Social Worker Duty and Advice Service in Leicester
✨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 Leicester Bus Partnership.
✨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 Leicester Bus Partnership!
✨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 Leicester Bus Partnership, 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 Leicester Bus Partnership 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 Level 3 Social Worker Duty and Advice Service in Leicester
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 Leicester Bus Partnership:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Leicester Bus Partnership! 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 Leicester Bus Partnership
✨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.
