Social Work Assistant

Social Work Assistant

Full-Time 30000 - 42000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
S

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support social workers in safeguarding vulnerable children and families.
  • Company: Join Birmingham Children’s Trust, dedicated to improving lives in the community.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a supportive environment with opportunities for personal growth and impact.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference while working with a passionate team in a meaningful role.
  • Qualifications: Experience with children or families, strong communication skills, and teamwork ability required.
  • Other info: Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion is essential.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.

Overview

Social Work Assistant (SWA) – Location: Birmingham (based at Lifford House with travel across the city). Sector: Children’s Social Care. Contract Type: Agency. IR35 Status: Inside IR35. Hours: 36.5 hours per week. Contract Length: 3 months. Start Date: 5th February 2026. End Date: 5th May 2026.

This role is a hands-on, varied position supporting children and families across Birmingham. You will work closely with social workers to deliver direct support to children of all ages who are placed across the city.

This position suits someone with experience in children’s services who is confident working in the community, building relationships with children and families, and managing a flexible workload. You will be Birmingham-based most days, with travel required between placements, schools and family homes.

Responsibilities

  • Supporting children and young people of all ages through direct work
  • Completing life story work, pathway planning, and other child-focused interventions
  • Providing practical family support tasks
  • Transporting children to and from contact visits, placements, or appointments
  • Supervising children during contact with parents and wider family members
  • Supporting social workers with day-to-day operational tasks
  • Working with children placed throughout Birmingham
  • Participating in a duty/back-up rota (approximately once per week), including:
    Being available for telephone calls throughout the day
    Supporting with unforeseen issues if the allocated worker is unavailable
    Flexibility to work later where required (rota agreed well in advance)

Working Hours & Flexibility

Core working hours are typically 10:00 – 18:00. The team usually finishes between 5:30pm – 6:00pm. On some days, particularly where children need to be transported further afield after school contact, later finishes may be required. Flexibility is essential for this role.

What We\’re Looking For

  • Experience working with children, young people, or families within social care
  • Confidence carrying out direct work with children
  • Ability to build positive, professional relationships
  • Willingness to travel across Birmingham as part of the role
  • Strong communication and organisational skills
  • A flexible and reliable approach to work
  • Ability to manage sensitive situations with professionalism and empathy

Why Apply?

  • Varied and meaningful work supporting children and families
  • Clear structure with an agreed rota for duty cover
  • Opportunity to gain experience within a large children’s service
  • Supportive team environment

How to Apply

To apply or find out more, please contact: ? (url removed)

Referral Bonus

Know someone who would be a great fit? Receive £250 if you refer a candidate who is successfully placed.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Social Work Assistant employer: Service Care Solutions

Birmingham Children’s Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of children and families in Birmingham. With a strong commitment to teamwork, accountability, and innovation, we foster a supportive work culture that encourages professional growth and development. Join us to be part of a passionate team where your efforts will contribute to creating a brighter future for the community.
S

Contact Detail:

Service Care Solutions Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Social Work Assistant

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with Birmingham Children’s Trust and their values. Understanding their commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare will help you align your passion and experiences with their mission during any discussions or interviews.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with current or former employees of Birmingham Children’s Trust. They can provide valuable insights into the work culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach when applying for the Senior Social Work Assistant role.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to support children and families in a care setting. Being able to articulate these stories will showcase your suitability for the role during interviews.

✨Tip Number 4

Stay updated on relevant legislation and social work practices. Showing that you are knowledgeable about current issues in social work will impress interviewers and demonstrate your commitment to professional development.

We think you need these skills to ace Social Work Assistant

Experience in a care setting
Knowledge of social work practice and relevant legislation
Strong verbal communication skills
Strong written communication skills
Ability to manage a caseload
Teamwork and collaboration skills
Partnership working with external agencies
Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion
Practical support skills for children and families
Record-keeping and reporting skills
Understanding of safeguarding principles
Empathy and compassion
Problem-solving skills
Adaptability in a dynamic environment

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Senior Social Work Assistant position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with these expectations.

Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your experience working with children and families in a care setting. Provide specific examples of your contributions and how they relate to the role's requirements.

Showcase Communication Skills: Since strong communication skills are essential for this role, ensure that your application reflects your ability to communicate effectively. Use clear and concise language, and consider including examples of successful teamwork or partnerships with other professionals.

Commitment to Values: Birmingham Children’s Trust values equality, diversity, and inclusion. In your application, express your commitment to these values and provide examples of how you have promoted them in your previous roles.

How to prepare for a job interview at Service Care Solutions

✨Show Your Passion

Make sure to express your genuine passion for supporting children and families during the interview. Share personal experiences or motivations that drive you to work in this field, as it will resonate well with the interviewers.

✨Demonstrate Relevant Experience

Be prepared to discuss your previous experience working in care settings. Highlight specific examples where you supported children or families, and how those experiences have equipped you for the role of Senior Social Work Assistant.

✨Understand the Legislation

Familiarise yourself with basic social work practices and relevant legislation before the interview. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you are knowledgeable and serious about the responsibilities of the role.

✨Emphasise Teamwork Skills

Since the role involves working closely with a team and external agencies, be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to work effectively within a team environment.

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

S
Similar positions in other companies
UK’s top job board for Gen Z
discover-jobs-cta
Discover now
>