Social Worker - Edge of Care

Overview

To help us recruit social workers who are committed to working in Middlesbrough we are currently offering a 15% supplement to social work salaries. This additional 15% will be reviewed at the end of March 2027.

As a member of the team, you will work intensively and directly with small numbers of children, getting alongside them, their friends, families, and communities, and working with them collaboratively and systemically, to develop high trust, strengths-driven relationships that catalyse positive change. You will help support families to keep their children safe within their family network and community by supporting and augmenting their support network and intervening effectively alongside partner agencies with the spaces where harm is occurring. Your practice will centre SHiFT\’s Breaking Cycles ingredients and an unwavering commitment to anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice: you will work with persistence, aspiration, creativity and flexibility, tailoring everything you do, and working with children and families whenever and wherever they feel safest. Your practice will be underpinned by Middlesbrough\’s Signs of Safety practice model which is used across Childrens Services when working with children, families and the wider professional network. Your job is to do \”whatever it takes\” to enable children and young people for whom there are concerns about harms to live safe and happy lives with people who love and care for them. If you are motivated, child-focused, and enthusiastic about making a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and young people, we want to hear from you!

You will be part of an exciting new team, which encourages a flexible working approach, dynamic relationship building, and thinking outside of the box. Alongside your statutory role, you will be supported to go the extra mile to make a difference to the most vulnerable children and young people within our authority, who are at risk of entering Local Authority care.

Responsibilities

• Undertake statutory home visits and maintain excellent recording and timekeeping.
• Conduct direct work with children, preparing reports for statutory meetings.
• Attend strategy meetings and perform various assessments including Child and Family, Viability and Risk Assessments.
• Manage your own caseload with a focus on trauma-informed, relationship-based practice using a systemic model.

We understand the importance of balancing work with personal commitments. While some evening and weekend work will be required, this will be thoughtfully planned to accommodate both the family\’s needs and your own schedule. Plus, any extra hours worked can be reclaimed during the week, ensuring you maintain a healthy work-life balance.

The Edge of Care team in Middlesbrough will offer a high level of support including personal supervision, monthly case supervision, and training opportunities to enhance your skills and career within a supportive and dynamic team. You will also be part of monthly Child and Family Discussions which offer the opportunity for reflective practice with our partner agencies.

In Middlesbrough we believe that wherever possible and safe children and young people should be supported to stay living with their family. We are excited to have been recruiting for a passionate and experienced Social Worker to a new Edge of Care Service.

If you are ready to make a difference and be part of a dynamic team, apply now to join our Edge of Care Service in Middlesbrough.

Benefits

• Generous leave entitlement with an option to purchase up to 10 additional days annual leave per year.
• Excellent pension plus top-up options.
• Staff networks run by our staff for our staff.
• Flexible working (dependent on job role).
• Electric car lease scheme.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Employee benefits portal including Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programme.
• Staff lottery.
• Travel and car parking schemes.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• Fantastic career progression opportunities and lots more!

This vacancy is fixed term for 18 months.

Please note Middlesbrough Council do not currently offer sponsorships.

The above post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

If you would like to talk through this opportunity further, please contact Hannah Ditchburn.

We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.