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- Tasks: Join our team to support families and protect children through assessments and safety planning.
- Company: Walsall Council is an outstanding local authority focused on children's welfare and community support.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous holidays, and a comprehensive training programme for career growth.
- Other info: Contact Sarah Martin for insights into the role and team dynamics.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while working in a supportive and collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience as a social worker is essential; passion for child welfare is a must.
The predicted salary is between 43693 - 48710 £ per year.
This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK\’s leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.
Job Description
Senior Specialist Social Worker – Ref: CH03925
Salary Scale G10; Salary Range: £43,693 – £48,710 (Pay Award Pending)
Children are at the heart of Walsall local authority. They receive support, help and services that reduce risks for them and meet their needs. (Ofsted, 2025)
Do you want to join our OUTSTANDING local authority?
If so, we have a current opportunity for an experienced social worker to join our stable and high performing Family Help Duty & Short-Term Team (known as Duty and Assessment Team) in the North of Walsall. The North Family Help Duty & Short Term Team is led by a highly experienced Team Manager who is supported by a similarly experienced Senior Practitioner and comprises of 7 social workers and 1 social work apprentice. The team also benefits from a dedicated business support officer.
The Team is based at Essington Lodge, Willenhall WV12 5EX which has onsite parking facilities and are co-located with North Family Help and Protection Teams.
This is a fast-paced and rewarding role where you\’ll work closely with families and professionals to assess risk, build safety plans, and help children thrive. If you\’re passionate about making a real difference to children and families at the earliest point of intervention, we\’d love to hear from you. It has never been a more exciting time to join us in Walsall!
Children and families are at the heart of our practice in Walsall as identified within our recent Ofsted inspection:
Children benefit from positive, trusting relationships with their social workers. Social workers enable children, through direct work, to share their lived experiences, hopes and aspirations.
About the job
Within the role of a Senior Social Worker, you will be responsible for ensuring we continue to provide \”Outstanding\” support and protection for our children and families. In doing so, you will an integral part of a family\’s journey by undertaking quality social work assessments (called Understanding our family assessment) and developing child focused plans with families. As a senior social worker, you will lead on child protection investigations and support families on a short term basis who are in need of help and protection.
You will work collaboratively with our families, partners and team members within the family help and protection teams, bringing together and coordinating the team around the child to ensure a multi-disciplinary approach to safeguarding and support, as well as Assessment, Planning, Implementation and Review.
As outlined in our recent Ofsted inspection report in May 2025 The \’Our family\’ assessments are detailed and provide a strong understanding of both the children\’s and their family\’s needs. These needs are then clearly articulated in plans
The quality of social work assessments of children\’s needs is a particular strength. The voice of the child is evidenced through direct work, cultural genograms and an exploration with children and parents of the family\’s history. This leads to a clear understanding of the child, their world and the areas of strength, weakness and risk within the family network\”
Our Offer:
To provide the right conditions for you, we are committed to manageable workloads, high support from managers, essential paperwork only, enabling technologies.
Within Walsall we offer a comprehensive training and development programme which contributed to our OUTSTANDING Ofsted grading in May 2025.
There is a comprehensive training offer for workers in Walsall. There is an impressive offer to workers in gaining a social work qualification and for newly qualified social workers developing their knowledge of frontline practice. The general training offer is wide ranging and gives workers the opportunity to learn incrementally about their role.
Wellbeing is at the heart of our work. We offer specialised clinical supervision, a 9-day fortnight to support work/life balance, flexible working and specialist employee assistance and therapeutic support when it is needed. We know we need to make social work a career people want to stay in.
Salary Scale £43693 – £48710 (+10% Retention Payments after 2 years, increasing at 4 and 6 years)
Would you like to talk to a team manager about the realities of working in Walsall?
If so, please contact Sarah Martin, Team Manager who will connect you with one of our practitioners
View: Job Description and Employee Specification
Closing date: 28th August 2025
Interviews w/c 8th September 2025
This post is covered by the Government\’s Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers. The post holder will be required to communicate verbally with customers and provide advice and/or information in accurate spoken English.
Walsall Council takes seriously the responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all the children, young people and vulnerable adults entrusted to our care and it is our expectation that all staff will share this commitment. We will ensure continuous development and improvement of robust recruitment processes and procedures that promote a culture of safeguarding amongst our workforce. Completion of an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is a requirement for working with children and young people and vulnerable adults.
Note: Applicants appointed to posts that require an enhanced DBS clearance must declare any periods of time that they have lived, studied or worked abroad and be prepared to provide an Overseas Criminal Records Certificate (OCRC) or a Statement of Good Conduct (SOGC) relating to anytime they were overseas
For this role the successful candidates must undergo a Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check. BPSS is the minimum standard to ensure the identity and integrity of an employee who has access to official information using secure networks linking central government and local authorities. A BPSS check involves four main elements; Identity Check, National and Immigration Status, Employment History (last 3 years) and Verification of Criminal Record (unspent convictions only).
Information for Applicants
Important note: When completing your online application form, you will be asked to enter supporting information. You must enter a detailed supporting information statement describing how your skills, abilities and experience meet the specific criteria included in the employee specification. If you do not include a supporting information statement, you will not be shortlisted. Please also ensure that you complete the work history and qualifications sections of your application form. Please do not add a CV as we do not accept them.See our Information for Applicants leaflet for further information.
We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this job vacancy. We are not accepting Agency applications or referrals at this time
About Us
Here at Walsall, we want to attract the best talent. That\’s why – as well as a satisfying and rewarding job – we offer a range of attractive benefits. Working arrangements in most jobs are flexible (you may work flexitime, full or part time and job sharing is usually available) and you can expect generous holiday entitlements, a first class pension scheme and plenty of opportunities for training and personal development.
We advertise vacancies because we want the best talent available. If that\’s you, we\’re waiting for your application.
Living in Walsall
Part of the Black Country, famous for its enterprising and industrial past, Walsall is reinventing itself to become a progressive modern community. The borough is centred around the major town of Walsall, but also includes five smaller and distinctive district centres (Bloxwich, Aldridge, Willenhall, Darlaston and Brownhills), together with numerous villages.
Walsall Council is committed to Safer Recruitment.
To achieve our commitment, we will ensure continuous development and improvement of robust recruitment processes and procedures that promote a culture of safeguarding amongst our workforce.
Social Work Matters – Children\’s Social Worker Recruitment
Some of our children require a special kind of support: yours. Visit our microsite to find out more about joining Walsall Council as a Children\’s Social Worker.
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Senior Specialist Social Worker - Ref: CH03925 employer: Walsall Council
Contact Detail:
Walsall Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Specialist Social Worker - Ref: CH03925
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Walsall's recent Ofsted inspection report. Understanding their strengths and areas of focus will help you align your experience and values with the council's mission, making you a more appealing candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Reach out to current or former employees in the Family Help Duty & Short-Term Team. They can provide insights into the team dynamics and expectations, which can be invaluable during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your ability to conduct thorough assessments and develop child-focused plans. Highlighting these experiences will showcase your suitability for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Emphasise your commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in your discussions. This is a core value for Walsall Council, and demonstrating your alignment with this principle will strengthen your application.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Specialist Social Worker - Ref: CH03925
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and expectations of a Senior Specialist Social Worker. Familiarise yourself with the job description and the specific criteria outlined in the employee specification.
Craft Your Supporting Statement: When completing your online application, pay special attention to the supporting information statement. Clearly describe how your skills, abilities, and experience align with the specific criteria mentioned in the job listing. This is crucial for being shortlisted.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, emphasise any relevant social work experience, particularly in child protection and family support. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to assess risk and develop safety plans.
Follow Application Instructions: Ensure you complete all sections of the application form, including work history and qualifications. Remember, do not attach a CV as it will not be accepted. Adhering to these instructions is vital for your application to be considered.
How to prepare for a job interview at Walsall Council
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and understand the responsibilities of a Senior Specialist Social Worker. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with the specific duties, such as conducting assessments and developing child-focused plans.
✨Showcase Your Passion
During the interview, express your genuine passion for working with children and families. Share personal anecdotes or experiences that highlight your commitment to making a difference in their lives, as this role is all about supporting vulnerable individuals.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle challenging situations. Think of examples from your past work where you successfully navigated complex family dynamics or implemented effective safety plans.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers about the team dynamics, support structures, and training opportunities available. This shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if the environment aligns with your professional goals.