At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families to achieve their goals and ensure their safety.
- Company: Join South Gloucestershire Council, a supportive and community-focused local authority.
- Benefits: Generous leave, wellbeing support, and staff discounts on various services.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; be part of meaningful change in social care.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and young people.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with relevant experience and registration with Social Work England.
The predicted salary is between 37000 - 44000 € per year.
Overview
How You'll Make a Difference
Our social workers make a real difference. Every day they work with families to help children and young people who have had a difficult start in life to achieve their ambitions. You will be listening to young people and putting them at the heart of all that we do and working in partnership with families, equipping them with the skills they need to ensure young people live in happy, healthy and safe homes.
What You Will Be Doing
You would be working within an established team of experienced social workers who undertake statutory social work in the areas of Child Protection (CP), Children in Need (CiN) and the initial stages of Children in Care (CiC), as well as working within the Public Law Outline and Care Proceedings. We have a strong culture of giving staff the time, freedom and support to explore new and better ways of doing things, so we’re looking for individuals keen to use their creativity to deliver high quality, child-centred practices, which ensure the best outcomes for children and families. You will provide information, advice and support to children, young people, their families and carers to enable children to enjoy and achieve social inclusion. You are responsible for fulfilling a duty to safeguard vulnerable children and young people and to assess need, develop plans and provide services where appropriate. You will then review these plans regularly to ensure that outcomes are being achieved. It will be key for you to ensure vulnerable children and young people are protected and supported to achieve positive outcomes through the provision of well planned, integrated and coordinated services.
What We Need From You
We require you to be a qualified Social Worker with relevant registration to practice with Social Work England (SWE). You must have already successfully completed your ASYE (where qualifying since 2012) and have substantial post qualifying experience in a children’s services role. Given the elements of this role, you will be used to solving problems, be confident about making important decisions and are passionate about working with children, young people and families to meet their goals and aspirations. If seeking an Advanced Social Worker position, you will be able to demonstrate specialist knowledge of the relevant services including latest service developments, legislation, regulations and codes of practice. Those seeking a Senior Social Worker position, in addition to the above, will have experience of supervision or mentoring of social workers or support staff and substantial first-hand experience in a relevant children’s social care team.
What You Need To Know
This role sits within an area currently undergoing a period of change due to the government-led social care reform. As the sector evolves, some elements of the role may naturally develop too - offering opportunities to grow, adapt and be part of meaningful change. We’ll keep you fully informed throughout and make sure you feel supported, valued and confident as the updates arise. It’s an exciting time to join us and help shape the future for our children and families. This role is based in the South Locality Hub in Kingswood. Although this post is advertised as a full-time position, we encourage and welcome applications from experienced social workers who may be seeking part time, job share or flexible working arrangements.
Please note that due to the nature of this role, it is a requirement of employment that an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is obtained. You will be expected to travel throughout the authority and surrounding area so you must have a full, valid driving licence with regular access to a vehicle insured for business use or have an alternative suitable means of travel.
Interviews
Interviews will be held week commencing 11th May 2026.
How a Career At South Gloucestershire Council Is Different
As part of our benefits package, you will receive generous annual leave (pro rata), employee wellbeing support and you will have access to a range of staff discounts, including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities. We recognise that our diverse team of skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and developed on the basis of their merits and abilities. We invest in the careers of our people, and we are recognised for the quality, breadth and depth of our training and development offer, which helps our people make the greatest long-term difference in their work.
What’s special here is the strength of the team ethos. We are a relatively small local authority, so managers know staff well. They can plan their services to ensure teams have manageable caseloads and have effective supervision so feel supported to make decisions which are right for the children and young people they work with. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Ensuring all our staff are given right skills, knowledge and support to recognise and respond effectively to potential abuse or neglect.
“Staff are overwhelmingly positive about working for South Gloucestershire Council. Staff report feeling heard and responded to by senior leaders. Reduced workloads, increased stability of managers and more business support have strengthened their ability to respond to and improve the quality of practice for children. A wealth of concentrated training, including the Programme for Change initiative, has developed skill sets and expertise of staff. Staff benefit from a clear pathway of career progression, including a bespoke managers development programme.” [Ofsted Report published July 2024]
A career at South Gloucestershire is an opportunity for you to progress when you are ready. We’re building and shaping communities which people are proud of. We’re providing essential services across our communities to ensure they are safe and well maintained. We’ve achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference. We’re making a difference, be part of it!
Advanced Social Worker / Senior Social Worker - South Locality employer: South Gloucestershire Council
At South Gloucestershire Council, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment where social workers can thrive. Our commitment to employee wellbeing, generous annual leave, and extensive training opportunities ensures that our staff are equipped to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families. With a strong team ethos and manageable caseloads, you will feel valued and empowered to contribute to positive change in our community.
Contact Detail:
South Gloucestershire Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced Social Worker / Senior Social Worker - South Locality
✨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 those interviews! Research the organisation and its values, especially around child protection and family support. Think about how your experience aligns with their mission and be ready to share specific examples of your work.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! When you get the chance to speak with potential employers, let your enthusiasm for working with children and families shine through. Share your ideas on how to improve practices and outcomes – they’ll love your creativity!
✨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 our team and making a difference in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Advanced Social Worker / Senior Social Worker - South Locality
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for social work shine through! Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in the lives of children and families. We want to see your commitment to child-centred practices.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially in Child Protection and Children in Need. We’re looking for candidates who can demonstrate their understanding of the latest legislation and service developments.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and experience at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our team culture there.
How to prepare for a job interview at South Gloucestershire Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest legislation and codes of practice relevant to children's social care. Being able to discuss recent developments shows that you're not just qualified, but also passionate about staying informed and making a real difference.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully supported children and families. Highlight your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities, as these are crucial for the role. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
Since this role involves working within an established team, be ready to talk about how you collaborate with others. Share experiences where you've mentored or supervised colleagues, and how you contribute to a positive team culture. This will demonstrate your fit within their supportive environment.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the team's approach to child-centred practices and how they support staff development. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the organisation aligns with your values and career goals.
