At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families to achieve their goals and ensure their safety.
- Company: Join a dedicated team at South Gloucestershire Council making a real difference.
- Benefits: Generous leave, wellbeing support, staff discounts, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; strong team ethos and manageable caseloads.
- Why this job: Be part of meaningful change in children's lives during an exciting period of reform.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with post-qualifying experience and a passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 45091 - 48226 £ per year.
Location: Locality Hub - Patchway
Salary Range: £45,091 - £48,226
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. You must demonstrate that you 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. You will be able to demonstrate wider strategic critical thinking and the ability to manage and advise on risk.
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 currently based in the North Locality Hub in Patchway. 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 are anticipated to be held week commencing 6th July 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.
These posts attract a gross lump sum £3,000 ‘recruitment payment’ pro rata offered to enable Social Workers who have already successfully completed their ASYE to join our permanent workforce. This is payable upon successful completion of your probationary period (after approximately 3-6 months) and is subject to eligibility criteria. These posts are currently eligible for a market factor £3,000 ‘retention payment’ pro rata, payable in November annually to those with two years’ service with the council in Children’s Social Care in an eligible post, inclusive of any ASYE period.
Senior Social Worker - Children's North Locality in Bristol employer: South Gloucestershire Council
At South Gloucestershire Council, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer for social workers, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment in the heart of Patchway. Our commitment to employee wellbeing, generous annual leave, and extensive training opportunities ensures that our staff can thrive both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families. Join us to be part of a dedicated team where your contributions are valued, and you can help shape the future of social care in our community.
Contact Details:
South Gloucestershire Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Worker - Children's North Locality in Bristol
✨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 South Gloucestershire 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 South Gloucestershire 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 South Gloucestershire 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 South Gloucestershire 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 Senior Social Worker - Children's North Locality in Bristol
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 South Gloucestershire Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to South Gloucestershire 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 South Gloucestershire 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.
