At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire social work practice while supporting children and families directly.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking social work service in beautiful Cornwall.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, welcome bonus, flexible working, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Opportunities for career progression and a supportive learning environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while developing your professional skills.
- Qualifications: Recognised social work qualification and at least 5 years of experience.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 52800 € 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
We recognise the difference you make — and we support you every step of the way.
- 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)
Principal Social Worker (Children's) in London employer: Totalwellnessacupuncture
Join us in Cornwall, where your social work career can flourish in a supportive and innovative environment. With a strong focus on professional development, competitive salaries, and a commitment to work-life balance, we empower our staff to make a real difference in the lives of children and families. Experience the beauty of Cornwall while being part of a service that values your expertise and fosters meaningful family participation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Social Worker (Children's) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with other social workers, attend local events, or 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 chat with potential employers, be ready to discuss specific examples of your work. Highlight your experience in relationship-based practice and how you've made a difference in children's lives.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on places that align with your values. Cornwall is all about making a real impact, so make sure to express your passion for child-centred support when you reach out. We recommend applying through our website for the best chance!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation’s culture and recent achievements. Knowing about their Ofsted rating and commitment to continuous learning will show you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Social Worker (Children's) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:Let us see your enthusiasm for social work and how it aligns with our values. Share specific examples of your experience that highlight your commitment to children and families, and how you’ve made a difference in their lives.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the job description. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences that match what we’re looking for, especially your practice expertise and relationship-based approach.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We want to understand your qualifications and experiences without having to sift through unnecessary details.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the information you need about the role and our amazing team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Totalwellnessacupuncture
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you’re well-versed in Cornwall's Family Help model and the recent Ofsted judgement. Familiarise yourself with their approach to child-centred support and how your experience aligns with their values.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be ready to discuss your post-qualification experience in children's social work. Highlight specific cases where you've demonstrated strong practice expertise and relationship-based practice, as this will resonate with their focus on impactful support.
✨Reflect and Relate
Prepare to share examples of how you've developed others in your previous roles. Reflective skills are key for this position, so think about times when you've influenced practice or led a team effectively.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions. Inquire about the support structures in place for continuous learning and how they measure the impact of their services. This shows your genuine interest in contributing to their mission.
