At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families, advocate for their needs, and create positive change.
- Company: Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council, dedicated to improving lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, hybrid working, and generous leave.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values every voice and offers excellent development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience and a passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 39152 - 46142 £ per year.
Employer: Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council
Salary: £39,152 - £46,142 plus benefits
Location: Wirral, Mallory, 2 Alice Ker Square, Hybrid Working
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Flexible Hours/Full Time
Hours: 36 hours per week.
DBS Check: Enhanced
Closing Date: 20/09/2026 at 23:59
Reference: CF&E/26/343237
We have vacancies in our Locality Teams and Permanence Teams. Please state on your application if you are applying for a Social Worker or Experienced Social Worker role, and which team you are interested in.
At Wirral we want to ensure that our people are a priority, we create an environment where talented social workers can thrive, develop and make a lasting difference. We know that social work is both rewarding and challenging. The needs of children and families are increasingly complex, expectations continue to grow, and the work can be demanding. But we also know that when skilled professionals are supported, trusted, and empowered, they can achieve extraordinary outcomes. That's why we're looking for Social Workers who share our commitment to improving lives and securing brighter futures for children and young people.
Why Join Us?
Every day, our social workers bring compassion, expertise, and determination to their work. They build relationships that change lives, advocate for children who need their voices heard, and work collaboratively with families and partners to create positive, lasting change.
In return, we offer:
- A strong culture of collaboration, support, and professional respect
- Opportunities for learning, development, and career progression
- Supportive leadership that values your professional judgement
- A commitment to innovation and continuous improvement
- The opportunity to shape services and influence positive outcomes
- A team of dedicated colleagues who share your passion for making a difference
About You
You are a qualified and experienced Social Worker who:
- Is passionate about achieving the best outcomes for children and young people
- Builds strong, trusting relationships with families and professionals
- Demonstrates sound professional judgement and resilience
- Values collaboration and partnership working
- Brings creativity, ambition and a strengths-based approach to practice
- Never loses sight of the difference social work can make
Be Part of Something Meaningful
Working together, we can help children and young people feel safe, supported, and able to achieve their potential. If you're looking for a role where your expertise is valued, your development is supported and your work has a genuine impact, we'd love to hear from you.
You will find more information about what it's like to work within Wirral Children's Services, and the range of employee benefits within our Working in Wirral Children's Services booklet. You will also find our Children's Plan 2024-2028 which sets out a clear, ambitious, and shared vision: working together to secure brighter futures for all children, young people, and families. At its heart, the plan reflects a strong commitment to culture, collaboration, and co-design, recognising that meaningful and lasting change happens when children, families, communities, and practitioners shape services together.
Working at Wirral
You'll also want to know what it's like to work here so, as a start: Our values are more than just pieces of paper on our walls! We've all played a role in developing these, so they reflect the immense pride we have in what we do, what matters to us, what inspires us and inform how we think, approach things and behave.
We believe in ensuring staff are well looked after, staff wellbeing is a priority for us. We're serious about recognising and rewarding people for the great things they do. You'll benefit from our track record of developing, growing and investing in our people.
We have a range of staff benefits including staff discounts, an excellent pension scheme which includes a generous employer contribution rate, immediate life cover and ill-health protection. We have a strong flexible working approach, hybrid working, family-friendly employment initiatives and an annual leave package starting with 28 days leave plus public holidays.
We have an inclusive, engaged culture, everyone has a voice, everyone is valued for their contribution and understands the role they play in delivering our strategic priorities. Each voice is heard, each contribution valued. We embrace diversity in our workforce and recognise it is critical to our success. We support an inclusive culture that champions differences and nurtures a sense of belonging. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds, who share our values and our commitment to inclusion to apply for roles with us.
We want you to be your best at work, we create the conditions to help you thrive and we mirror this in our recruitment process. If you'd like us to do anything differently during the recruitment process to make it barrier-free and as accessible as possible please contact recruitment@wirral.gov.uk
If you would like an informal discussion around our opportunities, please contact: chelseafrancis@wirral.gov.uk
For existing employees: If you are a Wirral Council employee, and as part of our Talent Strategy, we're committed to strengthening opportunities for our people to learn, grow, progress and thrive. We encourage you to get in touch if you want to know more by emailing recruitment@wirral.gov.uk
If you are a Wirral resident, are unemployed or out of work, and require help with your application, please contact Involve Northwest's employment and skills team on info@involvenorthwest.org.uk or contact 0151 644 4500 or 0151 652 4349.
Please note that in accordance with the Council's policy, employees who are in a formal redeployment situation will be considered in the first instance for all vacancies. It is Council policy not to re-appoint any employee who has left under the terms of the Council's Early Voluntary Retirement (EVR) scheme or who have left with a voluntary severance (VS) package, unless in exceptional circumstances.
Applications will be accepted until midnight on the closing date. We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applications. Applications can only be accepted through the Jobs page following registration. Forms received via the post will not be processed. All applicants invited to interview must evidence their right to work in the UK. Details of required documents can be found by clicking the link at the bottom of the Jobs page. The job description and other supporting documents will not be accessible once the vacancy closing date has passed so if a copy is required you should download it now. We do not accept applications or CV's from recruitment agencies, unless otherwise stated. Therefore, any candidates submitted via a recruitment agency will not be considered for this role.
Social Worker/Experienced Social Worker (Children's) in Birkenhead employer: Wirral Schools
Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises staff wellbeing and professional growth, offering a supportive and inclusive culture where every voice is valued. With flexible working arrangements, generous leave entitlements, and a commitment to diversity, employees are empowered to thrive while making a meaningful impact in the community. Join us in shaping the future of inclusive early years practice in the beautiful surroundings of Wirral, where your contributions truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker/Experienced Social Worker (Children's) in Birkenhead
✨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 Wirral Schools.
✨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 Wirral Schools!
✨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 Wirral Schools, 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 Wirral Schools 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 Social Worker/Experienced Social Worker (Children's) in Birkenhead
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 Wirral Schools:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Wirral Schools! 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 Wirral Schools
✨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.
