At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families, ensuring their safety and wellbeing through meaningful relationships.
- Company: Plymouth City Council, dedicated to improving children's social care.
- Benefits: Flexible working, professional development, and relocation package up to £8,000.
- Other info: Join a vibrant city with a commitment to inclusion and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with a passion for safeguarding and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Plymouth City Council is looking for qualified social workers to join our Families First Partnership teams. 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 thrive.
Who We’re Looking For
- Committed to high‑quality practice and safeguarding.
- Value collaboration, honesty, and continuous learning.
- 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.
The role
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 Workers to be part of new teams working in a multi‑disciplinary way, moving towards locality working alongside partner agencies. As a Social Worker 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 be at the heart of keeping children and young people safe, using creative family‑led approaches to help families stay together, and ensuring high‑quality protection, care and planning when it is needed.
Your responsibilities include:
- Build meaningful relationships with children, young people and their families.
- Carry out thorough and timely assessments to understand needs and risks and inform effective intervention plans.
- Make decisions that put children’s best interests first.
- Advocate for children and young people, including care leavers.
- Work collaboratively with professionals across sectors.
- Contribute to our practice improvement and embed best practice.
- Champion 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.
Why Work in Plymouth?
Plymouth is a city of ambition, compassion and progress. Our latest Ofsted Inspection (January 2024) recognised significant progress and highlighted multiple areas of strength, including:
- 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 throughout your career.
- Care leaver progress: Ofsted praised our ambition and support for care‑experienced young people aged 16–25.
What We Offer
When you join us, you’ll be part of a service that values you not just for what you can do, but for who you are and what you could become. Our offer includes:
- Full reimbursement of Social Work England registration fees.
- 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 and employee wellbeing services.
- Discounts, salary sacrifice schemes, and more via iCHOOSE.
- Relocation package up to £8,000.
Living and Working in Plymouth
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.
Ready to Apply?
Visit our PCC Vacancies page to apply and tell us how your experience, values, and vision can help Plymouth’s children and young people to be happy, safe and thrive. 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 let us know. We are a flexible employer and provide a variety of working arrangements tailored to the needs of each role.
The Disclosure & Barring Service Check requirement for this post is: Enhanced, Check + DBS Children’s & Adult’s Barred List. If you would like a conversation please email abrightfuture@plymouth.gov.uk
Closing date: Tuesday 27 January 2026
Plymouth City Council is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of age, care experience, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion/belief, sex or sexual orientation. As part of our commitment to promoting equality we offer guaranteed interviews to those who meet the essential criteria and are considered disabled, care experienced or are an Armed Forces Service Leaver within the last two years.
Social Worker - Children's Social Work in Plymouth employer: PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL
Plymouth City Council is an exceptional employer for Social Workers, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment that prioritises the wellbeing of children and families. With robust professional development opportunities through our Children’s Services Learning Academy, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to inclusivity, you will thrive in a city known for its ambition and community spirit. Join us in making a meaningful impact while enjoying the coastal beauty and vibrant culture of Plymouth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker - Children's Social Work in Plymouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current social workers or professionals in the field through LinkedIn or local events. Building connections can give you insider info on job openings and even recommendations.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios specific to children's social work. Think about how you would handle various situations and be ready to share your experiences that align with the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for the role! During interviews, express your commitment to safeguarding and supporting children and families. Share stories that highlight your compassion and collaborative spirit.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a difference in Plymouth.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker - Children's Social Work in Plymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for social work shine through! Share specific experiences that highlight your commitment to supporting children and families, and how you embody the values we cherish at StudySmarter.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the role. Use keywords from the job description and demonstrate how your skills and experiences align with what we're looking for in a Social Worker. This shows us you’ve done your homework!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that are easy to read. Avoid jargon and focus on conveying your message effectively – this will help us understand your qualifications better.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our PCC Vacancies page! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super straightforward and user-friendly!
How to prepare for a job interview at PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL
✨Know Your Values
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on your values and how they align with the role. Plymouth City Council is looking for candidates who value collaboration, honesty, and continuous learning. Be ready to share examples of how you've demonstrated these values in your previous work.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your commitment to safeguarding and high-quality practice. Think about situations where you built meaningful relationships with children and families or advocated for their needs. This will show your potential employer that you understand the core responsibilities of the role.
✨Understand the Families First Partnership
Familiarise yourself with the Families First Partnership programme and its goals. Being able to discuss how you can contribute to this initiative will demonstrate your genuine interest in the position and your proactive approach to supporting children and families in need.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare a few thoughtful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could be about the team dynamics, the support available for early career staff, or how the council measures success in their social work practices. Asking insightful questions shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
