Social Work Assistant in Plymouth

Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK.

This is a great time to join us in Plymouth where exciting things are happening. We are developing Families First Partnership approaches with our partners to ensure children and families have the help and support they need to be safe, happy and to thrive. We are recruiting two Social Work Assistants to play a key role in our teams providing help and protection to children, young people and families across Plymouth.

Social Work Assistants provide support to qualified social workers to ensure families receive the help and support they need to keep children safe and make positive change. You will have experience of working directly with children and families, and be able to demonstrate an understanding of the impact of trauma on families and how to work restoratively and respectfully to bring about change. You will have good IT, interpersonal, written and verbal skills, be organised and efficient, demonstrating an ability to manage competing demands to timescale. You will have skills in and experience of working as part of a team.

We welcome applications from candidates who:

• Value collaboration, honesty, and continuous learning.
• Are compassionate, curious, and action oriented.
• Want to be part of a team that supports each other and puts children, young people and their families first.

We are at a crucial point in our implementation of the Families First Partnership programme of children’s social care reforms and are looking for Social Work Assistants to be part of teams working in a multi-disciplinary way, moving towards locality working alongside partner agencies. As a Social Work Assistant in Plymouth, you will join a friendly, dedicated, talented and passionate team of social workers, family help practitioners, social work assistants and students who value getting things right for children and their families through our trauma informed, restorative and strengths-based practice approach.

You will have the following responsibilities:

• Build meaningful relationships with children, young people and their families.
• Contribute to thorough and timely assessments to understand needs and risks and inform effective intervention plans.
• Work collaboratively with professionals across sectors.
• Support trauma-informed, strengths-based and restorative practice.

The “10 Wishes” developed by our children and young people are embedded across our partnership as part of our commitment to listening to children’s voices and acting in response to what they tell us. You will be able to demonstrate evidence of your commitment to the voice of children and families.

Plymouth is a city of ambition, compassion, and progress. Our latest Ofsted inspection (January 2024) recognised significant progress and highlighted multiple areas of strength.

• Timely child protection work: Improved understanding of risk and early support prevents drift or delay.
• Strong relationships: Social workers know the children they work with, build trust, and advocate for them.
• Corporate parenting culture: Senior leaders and elected members are committed to looked-after children and care leavers.
• Support for early career staff: Our ASYE programme and Children Services Learning Academy offer robust support and continued professional development.
• Care leaver progress: Ofsted praised our ambition and support for care-experienced young people aged 16–25.

In Plymouth, we pride ourselves on being nationally leading and are known for our proactive approach to improving outcomes. We are early adopters of the DfE’s Early Career Framework and partners in national research with Durham University for Contextual Safeguarding, helping to lead change.

Social Work Assistants are closely supported by qualified social workers and the Team Manager in their role. When you join us, you’ll be joining a service that values you not just for what you can do, but for who you are and what you could become. You will be joining a supportive team in a service with a commitment to “High Expectations, High Support and High Challenge”. Our leaders and managers are committed to creating an environment where best practice thrives. Our Learning Academy delivers a comprehensive programme of workforce development for practitioners and managers at all stages of their careers, to support our workforce to progress their careers with us.

Our offer to you includes:

• Excellent learning and development opportunities from our Children’s Services Learning Academy.
• Supportive team working and strong supervision and leadership support.
• Flexible working arrangements, including remote options.
• Access to a Local Government Pension Scheme & employee wellbeing services.
• Discounts, salary sacrifice schemes, and more via iCHOOSE.
• Relocation Package up to £8000.

Choosing Where You Live And Work Matters. Plymouth Offers:

• Coastal beauty, Dartmoor nearby, beaches, and green spaces.
• A lively university city with arts, culture, and maritime heritage.
• Affordable living compared to larger cities.
• Strong partnerships and visible impact in children’s services.
• A commitment to fairness, inclusion, wellbeing, and leadership.

Disclosure & Barring Service Check requirement for this post: Enhanced Check + DBS Children’s Barred List.

If you would like a conversation please email abrightfuture@plymouth.gov.uk

Closing date: Sunday 02 February 2026

We are proud to offer a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants who meet essential criteria and are disabled, care-experienced, or Armed Forces Service Leavers (within the last two years). As an inclusive employer, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve. If you need any reasonable adjustments, please just let us know.