At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in need and ensure their safety through assessments and multi-agency collaboration.
- Company: Join Rotherham Council's dedicated Children and Young People’s Services team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with varied tasks and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work with children and strong assessment skills required.
The predicted salary is between 39152 - 46142 £ per year.
Salary £39,152 - £46,142 and Excellent Benefits (Pay award pending)
Basis Full time
Rotherham
Contractual hours 37
Region Rotherham
Job category/type Childrens Social Work
Date posted 09/06/2026
Job reference REQ23228
Directorate – Children and Young People’s Services
Permanent contract, 37 hours per week
Now is the time to come and work for Rotherham Council Children and Young People’s Service. For more information about Rotherham Social Care jobs, please visit: Rotherham Social Care Jobs
ABOUT THE FIRST RESPONSE SERVICE
We will deliver on our promise to our children – will you? If you’re passionate about children, come and work with us. Here, we focus on children not cases and keeping them at the heart of every decision leads to better outcomes. First Response is a unified service made up of the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), four duty teams, the Out of Hours service, EVOLVE (exploitation), and ENGAGE (crisis support). We are committed to giving children the very best support while also investing in our staff. We provide opportunities for social workers to grow, reach their full potential, and strengthen their skills particularly in analysis and managing a caseload so they can deliver high‑quality, effective practice.
We are proud of our relationships with our partners who are co‑located with us and part of the team. We make the most of their input, holding daily multi‑agency meetings in response to domestic abuse, ensuring quick safety planning for children, and having easy access to partners for strategy meetings and information sharing when needed. The duty teams carry out assessments for all new children entering the service and work across the borough. We operate on a four‑week duty rota, with each team covering one week on duty followed by three weeks dedicated to completing assessments and related tasks. As the team manages all incoming assessments, no two days are ever the same. The role includes Section 47 investigations, initiating care proceedings, accommodating children, completing assessments (including pre‑birth assessments), and attending legal gateway meetings as part of Public Law Outline (PLO) processes. The work is varied, complex, and fast‑paced, but highly rewarding.
‘My experience in Rotherham as a newly qualified social worker could not have been better, the support and guidance provided by the social workers and managers has helped to build my confidence and skills in order to ensure the best outcomes for the children I work with’.
ABOUT YOU
- You will care.
- You will make sure children are at the heart of all you do.
- You will ask the right questions to make the best plans for children.
- You will have experience of working with children in a social work setting.
- You will have excellent assessment skills where analysis is key.
- You will be able to organise your daily workload independently.
- You will have some experience and understanding of court work.
- You will be a team player and value the strength that your colleagues bring to the team.
- You will have experience of carrying out safeguarding investigations as part of a multi‑agency partnership.
- You will be able to demonstrate initiative and work flexibly to ensure children receive a service that matters.
- You will be able to negotiate tactfully when dealing with potential conflict.
- You will be able to forge positive working relationships with partners.
- You will be capable of accurate reporting and the communication of sometimes complex information to a variety of audiences.
- You will be passionate about maximising a child’s life chances.
If you have any questions regarding the role, please email Service Manager Joanne McCartan: joanne.mccartan@rotherham.gov.uk
Advert closing date: 28th June 2026
Shortlisting: 29th June 2026
Interview date: week commencing 6th July 2026
This post involves working with children and therefore if successful you will be required to apply for a disclosure of criminal records check at an enhanced level. Further information about the Disclosure Scheme can be found at www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and our customers, and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview. For further information, please visit our website.
Head Office Riverside House Main Street Rotherham S60 1AE
Children’s Social Worker, First Response in Rotherham employer: Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
Rotherham Council's Children and Young People’s Service is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment for social workers. With a strong focus on professional development, employees benefit from comprehensive training opportunities and a culture that prioritises the well-being of both staff and children. Located in Rotherham, the First Response service offers a dynamic and varied workload, ensuring that no two days are the same while making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families.
Contact Details:
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children’s Social Worker, First Response in Rotherham
✨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 Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.
✨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 Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council!
✨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 Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, 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 Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council 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 Children’s Social Worker, First Response in Rotherham
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 Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council! 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 Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
✨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.
