At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and influence practice while supporting children and families directly.
- Company: Cornwall's ambitious social work service with a focus on impactful support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, welcome bonus, flexible working, and generous leave.
- Other info: Opportunities for continuous learning and professional development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of children's services in a supportive and thriving environment.
- Qualifications: Recognised social work qualification and 5 years post-qualification experience.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 52809 € per year.
Cornwall isn’t just a fantastic place to live — it’s an inspiring place to grow your social work career. Fresh from our ‘Good with Outstanding features’ Ofsted judgement (July 2024), we’re a service on the rise: ambitious, bold and focused on delivering real impact for children and families. Our transformed Family Help model brings together the best of Early Help and Child in Need practice, codesigned with practitioners to deliver more effective, truly child centred support.
We’re investing where it counts: our specialist Parent Assess team delivers high quality in‑house assessments, and every Family Help Team is strengthened by an Integrated Family Domestic Abuse Support Advisor and dedicated clinical psychology input, ensuring a confident response to domestic abuse and complex needs. We champion meaningful family participation through Family Group Conferencing, Family Led Meetings and consistent use of genograms and ecomaps. Families also benefit from our award‑winning Family Information Service, a strengthened parenting offer and one of the best care leaver services in the country.
Ofsted recognised the strength of our culture and approach: “Senior leaders and politicians are relentless in their drive to continue to improve the lives of Cornwall’s children and families… Staff’s care, commitment and child‑focused approach shine through.”— Ofsted, July 2024.
Cornwall offers forward thinking social work in a place where wellbeing comes first. With stunning coastlines, strong communities and a culture that values balance and professional pride, this is a service where practitioners thrive — and where your leadership will shape the future of children’s services.
The Role
Research (CCInform 2026) shows that many social workers feel that their only progression route is through management with few senior opportunities for those who want to remain in direct practice. Our Principal Social Worker role changes that. This is a specialist practice leadership position, paid at Team Manager level, designed for experienced practitioners who want to influence practice quality while staying close to children, families and frontline work.
As a Principal Social Worker, you will hold a small caseload of direct work, deputise for your Team Manager, and play a key role in developing the skills, confidence and professional curiosity of your team. You’ll be supported by a comprehensive core learning offer and a clear qualification and career pathway, giving you the structure and space to continue developing your expertise. We value continuous learning and recognise its impact on outcomes — with progression and rewards that reflect your contribution.
Roles are available in teams across the county, including Family Help, Children in Care, Kinship, Family Plus, and the Disabled Children & Therapy Service. This is a public/customer‑facing role, where the statutory English language requirement for public sector workers applies. This position will be subject to an enhanced criminal record disclosure check.
What You’ll Need to Succeed
- A recognised social work qualification and Social Work England registration
- 60 Master’s level post‑qualifying credits (with support towards a further 60 academic credits)
- At least 5 years post‑qualification experience in children’s social work
- Strong practice expertise grounded in evidence‑informed approaches
- A passion for relationship‑based practice and developing others
- Excellent reflective skills, with the ability to lead and influence practice and develop others
We welcome applications from experienced registered practitioners returning to social work.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary equivalent to Team Manager level
- £4,000 welcome bonus and generous relocation package (eligibility applies)
- Lease car scheme
- Flexible working options, including hybrid and part time
- 26 days annual leave (rising with service) plus bank holidays
- High quality supervision and a culture of professional curiosity
- Our excellent learning and development offer
- Practice Educator support from our dedicated team
- Access to Community Care Inform and Research in Practice
- Payment of Social Work England registration fees
Principal Social Worker (Children's) in England employer: Totalwellnessacupuncture
Cornwall offers an exceptional environment for social workers to thrive, with a strong commitment to professional development and a culture that prioritises wellbeing. As a Principal Social Worker, you will be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to making a real impact on children's lives, supported by comprehensive learning opportunities and a competitive salary package. With stunning coastlines and vibrant communities, Cornwall is not just a place to work, but a place to grow both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Social Worker (Children's) in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with other social workers, attend local events, and join online forums. The more people you know in the field, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they even hit the market.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, whether at interviews or networking events, be ready to discuss your experience and how it aligns with their needs. Use specific examples from your work that highlight your expertise in children’s social work.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on places that resonate with your values. Cornwall is all about making a real impact for children and families, so make sure to express your passion for relationship-based practice when you chat with hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the latest roles and updates about our amazing services, so you can stay in the loop while you search for your next opportunity.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Social Worker (Children's) in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for social work shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in children's lives and how your values align with our mission at Cornwall.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in children's social work. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your practice expertise and how you've influenced positive outcomes for families.
Reflective Practice is Key:We value reflective skills, so don’t shy away from discussing challenges you've faced and how you've learned from them. This shows us your ability to lead and develop others while staying grounded in practice.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Totalwellnessacupuncture
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest practices and policies related to children's social work. Brush up on Cornwall's Family Help model and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their ambitious goals.
✨Showcase Your Passion
This role is all about relationship-based practice, so be prepared to share examples of how you've built strong connections with children and families. Highlight your commitment to improving lives and how you’ve influenced practice quality in your previous roles.
✨Reflective Practice is Key
Demonstrate your reflective skills by discussing specific challenges you've faced in your career and how you’ve learned from them. This shows that you’re not just experienced, but also open to growth and development.
✨Engage with the Team
Since this role involves developing others, think about how you can contribute to team dynamics. Be ready to discuss your leadership style and how you’ve supported colleagues in their professional journeys.
