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- Tasks: Safeguard vulnerable young people and support them towards brighter futures.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking team dedicated to improving lives in Southampton.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and generous holiday.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families every day.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with experience in safeguarding and mentoring.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 60000 £ per year.
We saw that social care reform was coming, and we acted. We transformed our service, restructured our teams, changed how we work with each other and our partners, and we improved. We believe one simple thing: that everyday counts and everyone matters. Over the last couple of years, we’ve been on a journey that has seen Ofsted recognise our Children’s Services as ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding Leadership’, and more recently has inspected our SEND provision and how we work with partner agencies. In every inspection, Ofsted has recognised our commitment and dedication to delivering the best outcomes for children, young people and families. But we’re ambitious for our children and young people, so our journey continues.
As a Senior Social Worker, you will play a pivotal role in safeguarding vulnerable young people and supporting them towards safer, brighter futures. You will bring your expertise to support not only our most complex children but also the team, sharing learning, best practice, and contributing to the continuous professional development of colleagues. Your insight will help shape creative, effective interventions for some of Southampton’s most vulnerable young people.
About the Team: We know it is better to provide focused support when problems first emerge, rather than delivering a statutory intervention when the needs have escalated. The Family Help service can prevent emerging problems from getting worse and becoming deep seated or entrenched. Through our Family Help model, we aim to improve outcomes for children and families in Southampton and at the same time reduce the demands upon specialist and statutory, higher tier services. The team is made up of family practitioners, social workers and multi-agency practitioners who work alongside families to identify strengths and challenges and work towards a targeted support plan to motivate and create change.
What We Offer:
- Dedicated Youth Hub: Access to a fantastic facility including a music room and skills room, supporting holistic engagement.
- Strong Community Links: Work alongside local youth charities and community organisations.
- Innovative Practice: Be part of a forward-thinking service committed to creativity and innovation in social work practice.
- Enjoy a Nine Day Fortnight: Enjoy a better work-life balance.
About you: A qualified social worker with at least two years post-qualifying experience, preferably with children and young people at risk of exploitation, youth violence, or on the edge of care. Proven ability to lead, support, and mentor social work colleagues, fostering a culture of learning and professional growth. Strong commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Excellent communication and multi-agency collaboration skills to ensure effective, coordinated responses. A proactive, reflective practitioner who can contribute to service development and innovation.
If you’re ready to be part of a supportive team that values your expertise and is dedicated to improving the lives of children and families, apply now!
Family Safeguarding Southampton are committed to delivering a service to families and have embedded Family Safeguarding Teams. You will work alongside adult facing specialist workers to progress plans, support families and keep children safely at home whenever possible.
Young People’s Service (YPS): YPS is a dedicated service working within contextual safeguarding in the city. You will work collaboratively with Youth Justice, Young Person Practitioners, Outreach Contextual Teams and the voluntary sector to tackle issues that impact on teenagers. With a bespoke YPS Hub, you can be part of regular Youth Clubs, our very own Opportunity Brews Cafe - run by Young People, their workers and much more! With a dedicated space within the city centre, we have a music studio, salon and skills room plus areas for 1-1 sessions.
What we can offer you: Salary: The salary band for this role is £47,181- £51,356 per annum. The starting salary is £47,181 with annual progression through the salary bands. Here at SCC we have a range of different perks and benefits, a few examples can be found below:
- Enjoy a 9 Day Fortnight, ensuring you have an extra days TOIL every other week to recognise your hard work and commitment.
- Work in Local Authority with 'OUTSTANDING' in management and leadership (Ofsted 2023).
- Excellent local government pension with 16.8% employer contribution.
- Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution).
- Generous holiday 25–31 days, based on role and service.
- Flexible working options (role-dependent).
- Family-friendly policies - Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents.
- Training and development, including coaching and mentoring.
- Health and wellbeing support - Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks.
- Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant.
- Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform.
- Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres.
- Sustainable travel benefits - low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans.
- Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer.
For further information on our benefits package please visit Employee benefits (southampton.gov.uk).
Contact details for informal discussion: For further information and details regarding the role, please contact clare.brown@southampton.gov.uk.
Interview Information: Please note that interviews are scheduled for Monday 5th January 2026 and Wednesday 7th January 2026.
Recruitment contact details: Email: recruitment@southampton.gov.uk Tel: 023 8083 4033.
For more information about this campaign please visit Southampton’s social care reform journey.
For more information about SCC please visit Southampton City Council.
Senior Social Worker (Family Help) in Southampton employer: Southampton City Council
Contact Detail:
Southampton City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Worker (Family Help) in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in social work, attend local events, and join online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they even hit the market.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the organisation, understand their values, and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. Practise common interview questions and be ready to share specific examples of your work with vulnerable young people.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, let your enthusiasm for social work shine through. Share stories that highlight your commitment to safeguarding and improving outcomes for children and families.
✨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 amazing team dedicated to making a difference in Southampton.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Social Worker (Family Help) in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your passion for social work shine through! We want to see how much you care about making a difference in the lives of children and families. Share personal experiences or insights that highlight your commitment to safeguarding and supporting vulnerable young people.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Senior Social Worker. Highlight your relevant experience, especially with children at risk, and how you've contributed to team learning and development. We love seeing candidates who understand our mission and can align their skills with our goals!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role. Remember, clarity is key!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the position and our fantastic team there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Southampton City Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest social care reforms and how they impact your role as a Senior Social Worker. Brush up on your knowledge about safeguarding practices, especially for vulnerable young people, and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to the ongoing improvements in the service.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that highlight your ability to lead and mentor colleagues. Think about times when you’ve successfully collaborated with multi-agency teams or implemented creative interventions. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and commitment to professional growth.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
Since this role involves working closely with family practitioners and other professionals, be ready to talk about your teamwork skills. Share instances where you’ve fostered a culture of learning and collaboration, and how you’ve contributed to a supportive environment for both colleagues and families.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some insightful questions about the Family Help model and how the team works together to support families. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the organisation’s values align with yours.
