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- Tasks: Support children and young people in a residential setting, building trusting relationships and providing guidance.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on making a difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible shifts, and the chance to develop your social work skills.
- Other info: Flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, for a dynamic work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the lives of young people while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: BA in Social Work or equivalent, with experience in Children and Families services.
The predicted salary is between 40130 - 43182 £ per year.
While professional experience and qualifications are key for this role, make sure to check you have the preferable soft skills before applying if required.
Salary: £40,130 – £43,182 (FTE)
Location: North Ayrshire
Employment Type: Permanent
Division: Children & Families
Hours: 40 hours per week (Full Time)
About the Role
We are recruiting for a Residential Social Worker for our client based in North Ayrshire. You will be working directly with children and young people as part of a supportive, skilled residential team. This is a hands-on, practice-focused position where you will build trusting relationships, support daily routines, and respond to the individual and collective needs of the home. Alongside direct care, you'll use your professional social work expertise to contribute to assessments, care planning and decision-making. You will be a steady, reliable presence—someone who offers guidance, models trauma-informed practice, and supports colleagues through complex situations. Strong recording, reporting and reflective practice underpin this role, ensuring every young person receives high-quality, consistent care.
Key Responsibilities
- Building safe, trusting relationships with children and young people in a residential setting
- Holding key-worker responsibilities, including completing assessments, care plans and written reports
- Leading practice during shifts, supporting decision-making, risk assessment and problem solving
- Coaching and supporting colleagues to embed relational, trauma-informed approaches
- Contributing to child protection discussions and decisions as needed
- Working collaboratively with families, social work teams, education and partner agencies
- Participating in looked-after reviews, hearings and multi-agency meetings
- Helping maintain a stable, predictable and well-managed home environment
About You
Our client is looking for a qualified Social Worker who is confident working within a residential environment and values staying close to direct practice. You will bring sound judgement, empathy and emotional resilience, and be comfortable supporting both young people and colleagues in a variety of challenging situations. This role operates within a 24/7 service, so flexibility is essential—including availability for evening and weekend shifts. You'll be someone who thrives as part of a consistent team, contributing to a supportive culture grounded in relational and trauma-informed practice.
What You Will Need
- BA Social Work or equivalent recognised qualification
- Experience within Children and Families services
- Registration with the SSSC and commitment to the Codes of Practice
- Ability to complete high-quality assessments, care plans and reports
- Full manual driving licence and confidence driving pool vehicles
- Good IT skills, including Microsoft 365
- PVG membership (or willingness to join)
- Flexibility to work shifts, including evenings and weekends
Childrens Social Worker employer: Reed
Contact Detail:
Reed Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Childrens Social Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, attend local events, and join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios specific to children's social work. Think about how you would handle challenging situations and be ready to share your experiences that showcase your skills and empathy.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your soft skills! During interviews, highlight your ability to build trusting relationships and your experience with trauma-informed practices. These qualities are crucial in this role, so make sure they shine through.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you land that dream job, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates. Let's get you started!
We think you need these skills to ace Childrens Social Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for working with children and young people shine through. We want to see your enthusiasm for making a difference in their lives, so share personal experiences or motivations that drive you to this role.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight the skills and experiences that align with the job description. We’re looking for specific examples of your work in residential settings, so don’t hold back on those details!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your writing clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read. Use bullet points where necessary to break down your qualifications and experiences, making it easier for us to see why you’re a great fit.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at StudySmarter.
How to prepare for a job interview at Reed
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of child protection policies and trauma-informed practices. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in your previous roles, as this will show your understanding of the responsibilities involved.
✨Showcase Your Soft Skills
This role requires empathy, emotional resilience, and strong communication skills. Prepare examples from your past experiences that highlight these qualities, especially in challenging situations. It’s all about demonstrating how you can build trusting relationships with children and support your colleagues.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions during the interview. Think about how you would handle specific situations involving children or team dynamics. Practising these responses can help you articulate your thought process and decision-making skills effectively.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team culture, support systems in place for staff, or how they approach multi-agency collaboration. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.