At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in care, build relationships, and ensure their voices are heard.
- Company: Join Walsall Council, an OUTSTANDING local authority dedicated to children's welfare.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, manageable workloads, flexible working, and comprehensive training.
- Other info: Enjoy strong support from managers and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and help them feel safe and loved.
- Qualifications: Experienced social worker with a passion for child-centred practice.
The predicted salary is between 47181 - 50269 £ per year.
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? We have an opportunity for an experienced social worker within our children in care team as a Senior Social Worker.
Within Children in Our Care, you will be supported by experienced team managers and skilled social work practitioners who are committed to working alongside you to deliver high‑quality, child‑centred practice. You will work with children, young people, carers, families and partner agencies to ensure that the voices, wishes and feelings of children are at the heart of care planning and review meetings. You will be supported to build meaningful relationships with children and to help them understand their experiences, identity and plans for the future. You will have access to a strong training and development offer, including opportunities to develop the knowledge, confidence and skills needed to undertake meaningful therapeutic life story work with children and young people.
This is an exciting time to join Children in Our Care in Walsall as we strengthen our ethos of supporting children in care and working toward reunification where safe and appropriate. We are developing clear pathways to support social workers and specialist practitioners to help children live with the people they love and who are important to them.
We are looking for experienced practitioners who are passionate and committed to supporting children in our care. You will be confident in building meaningful relationships with children and young people, as well as with their carers, families and wider social networks, ensuring that children feel listened to, understood and supported. You will bring a child‑centred and relationship‑based approach to your practice, with a strong commitment to helping children feel safe, loved and connected to the people who matter most to them.
We are committed to manageable workloads, high support from managers, essential paperwork only, and enabling technologies. Walsall offers a comprehensive training and development programme, contributing to our OUTSTANDING Ofsted grading in May 2025. Wellbeing is at the heart of our work. We offer specialised clinical supervision to support work‑life balance, flexible working and specialist employee assistance and therapeutic support when needed. This post also attracts a retention payment after two years in post, starting at 10% and increasing incrementally up to 14%.
Salary Scale: Senior Social Worker – £47,181 – £50,269
Closing date for applications: 10 August 2026
Interviews: Week commencing 17 August 2026
Would you like to discuss this role? Contact Andrew Caville at Andrew.Caville@walsall.gov.uk or Deon Rogers at Deon.Rogers@walsall.gov.uk.
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 its responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults entrusted to our care. Our expectation is 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 among our workforce. Completion of an enhanced DBS check is required for working with children, young people and vulnerable adults. 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 any time spent overseas.
Walsall Council’s Children’s Services are the only Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ local authority in the Black Country. During a visit in May 2025, Inspectors described Walsall Council as a place where children were at the heart of everything. The council’s journey of continuous improvement began in 2017 and has since transformed into a service focused on a clear vision, priorities and plan, all informed by the views of staff and children. Staff are at the core of delivering great outcomes for children and young people in Walsall, underpinned by our Walsall Right 4 Children vision. The latest Ofsted inspection highlighted staff pride and support to do great work.
Senior Social Worker (Children in Our Care) in Walsall employer: Walsall Council
As a School Organisation Officer, you will join a supportive and dynamic team dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for children. Our organisation values professional development, offering numerous growth opportunities and a collaborative work culture that prioritises employee well-being. Located in a vibrant community, we provide a meaningful role where your contributions directly impact the lives of families and children in the area.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Worker (Children in Our Care) in Walsall
✨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 Walsall 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 Walsall 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 Walsall 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 Walsall 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 in Our Care) in Walsall
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 Walsall Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Walsall 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 Walsall 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.
