At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in care aged 0-18, managing caseloads and building strong relationships.
- Company: Bradford Children and Families Trust, dedicated to meaningful change for families.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a transformative team making a real impact on children's lives in a vibrant community.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work, strong communication skills, and a full UK driving licence.
- Other info: Supportive environment with excellent career progression and wellbeing initiatives.
Bradford | Permanent | Full Time
Salary: £38,220 – £46,142 (PO1–3, SCP 27–35) Plus £3,000 Annual Retention Bonus (Pay award pending)
Social Personnel is recruiting on behalf of Bradford Children and Families Trust, an organisation committed to delivering meaningful, lasting change for children and families across the city. This is an exciting opportunity to join Bradford at a time of real transformation and improvement, with a newly restructured Children in Care service spanning ages 0–18, designed to provide continuity, stability and better outcomes for children.
Why Join Bradford?
Bradford is a diverse, vibrant city with a strong sense of community. You’ll be supported by a permanent and committed senior leadership team, offering stability, clear vision and a strong practice culture. Recent Ofsted feedback recognises Bradford’s significant progress, with improvements delivered ahead of expectations. The Trust’s practice model is restorative and relationship-based, focused on trust, collaboration and meaningful engagement with children and families.
The Role
As a Social Worker in the Children in Care Team, you’ll work with children and young people aged 0–18, supporting them to achieve safe, stable and permanent outcomes. You’ll manage a statutory caseload, build strong relationships, and work collaboratively with families and partner agencies to ensure children’s voices are central to all decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
- Managing a caseload of Children in Care
- Undertaking comprehensive assessments and direct work
- Developing, implementing and reviewing child-centred care plans
- Supporting children and young people to achieve permanence through:
- Long-term care
- Reunification with parents
- Placement with extended family
About You
We’re looking for committed, relationship-focused social workers who are passionate about improving the lives of children. You will need:
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle (reasonable adjustments considered)
- Experience managing a statutory caseload
- Strong assessment, analytical and report-writing skills
- Ability to build trusting relationships with children, families and professionals
- Confidence working in complex situations, including conflict and challenge
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
What’s On Offer
- 31 days annual leave, rising to 34 with service (plus bank holidays)
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Clear pay progression structure
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Supportive carer and parental policies
- Occupational Health and confidential counselling services
- Access to Blue Light Card discounts
- Strong professional development and career progression opportunities
- Supportive staff networks and wellbeing initiatives
If you’re looking to join an organisation where relationships, stability and outcomes truly matter, this is the perfect time to join Bradford Children and Families Trust.
Permanent Social Worker – Children in Care (0–18) in Bradford employer: Social Personnel
Contact Detail:
Social Personnel Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Permanent Social Worker – Children in Care (0–18) in Bradford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Bradford Children and Families Trust on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common social work scenarios. Think about how you'd handle complex situations, as they love to see your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for improving children's lives! During interviews, share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to making a difference in the community.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team!
We think you need these skills to ace Permanent Social Worker – Children in Care (0–18) in Bradford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for in a Social Worker.
Showcase Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for working with children and families shine through. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles, as we want to see your commitment to improving lives.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your key skills and experiences are easy to spot.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application via our website! This ensures it gets to the right people quickly and helps us keep track of all applications efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at Social Personnel
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the role of a Social Worker in Children in Care. Familiarise yourself with Bradford's recent Ofsted feedback and the Trust’s practice model. This will show your genuine interest and help you answer questions confidently.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your ability to manage a statutory caseload and build relationships. Think about times when you successfully advocated for children or adapted care plans based on their needs. Real-life stories resonate well!
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since the role involves working with multi-agency partners, be ready to discuss how you’ve collaborated with others in previous roles. Highlight your communication skills and any experiences where teamwork led to positive outcomes for children and families.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the team dynamics, support structures, and the future direction of the Children in Care service. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.