At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead support for children and families, creating impactful multi-agency plans.
- Company: Walsall Council, an 'Outstanding' local authority focused on children's welfare.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, wellbeing support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team committed to equality and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your social work career.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 32243 - 39408 £ per year.
We have a really exciting opportunity within the South and Central Locality of Walsall. This post sits within a Family Help and Protection team. We are looking for a motivated and passionate social worker that really wants to drive forward our practice priorities.
As a Senior Social Worker you will:
- Act as the lead professional for children and families in need of help and support.
- Undertake needs-led assessments and lead the creation and delivery of multi-agency support plans.
- Provide support to team members.
- Facilitate meetings with families and the professional network.
- Prepare and present assessments and reports to conferences, courts, and panels.
- Engage with the Multi-Agency Child Protection Team (MACPT) and deliver child protection plans where necessary.
- Build strong relationships with children and families, promoting their development, safety, and wellbeing.
- Use trauma-informed, relationship-based practice to engage families.
- Maintain high standards of recording and contribute to multi-agency partnerships.
- Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of your work.
Within the role of senior social worker you will be responsible for ensuring we continue to provide “Outstanding” support for our children and families, through your support to families and your team. You will be part of a leadership team that has “created a learning organisation that has effective and accountable relationships with each other and with partners (Ofsted, 2025).
To provide the right conditions for you, we are committed to manageable workloads, high support from managers, essential paperwork only, enabling technologies, and a robust training offer. 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.
In this role you will be supported to identify your specialisms and areas of interest, and access to training to develop your expertise in these areas. This forms a part of our ongoing commitment to your development, with opportunities to progress into Consultant Social Worker, Lead Child Protection Practitioner or Team manager roles.
We are committed to anti-discrimination and equality and to developing a workforce that reflects the communities we service.
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, young people and vulnerable adults.
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.
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.
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. The council’s journey of continuous improvement started in 2017 and has since transformed into a service with a clear vision, clear priorities and a clear plan, all informed by the views of our staff and children. Staff are at the core of delivering great outcomes for children and young people in Walsall, which is underpinned by our Walsall Right 4 Children vision. The latest Ofsted inspection demonstrated that staff in children’s services are proud to work for Walsall Council and feel supported to do great work.
Senior Social Worker South and Central Locality Family Help and Protection team - Ref: CH10526 in Willenhall employer: Walsall Council
Walsall Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff. As a Residential Childcare Worker, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children in care while benefiting from competitive pay, including additional compensation for sleep-ins, and access to ongoing training and professional growth within a dedicated team environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Worker South and Central Locality Family Help and Protection team - Ref: CH10526 in Willenhall
✨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 South and Central Locality Family Help and Protection team - Ref: CH10526 in Willenhall
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.
