At a Glance
- Tasks: Make a real difference in children's lives through support and assessments.
- Company: Join an Outstanding local authority recognised for quality children's services.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, and excellent career development opportunities.
- Other info: Access to wellbeing support and relocation assistance for experienced workers.
- Why this job: Empower families and children while enjoying a supportive work culture.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in statutory settings; senior roles require 3+ years.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Join us as a Children's Social Worker or Senior Social Worker and make a genuine difference in the lives of children and families across Hampshire. We're proud to be part of a select group of local authorities recognised by Ofsted as Outstanding for the quality and impact of our children's services.
Across our Children in Care, Family Help and Refugee teams, you'll support children, young people and families through key stages of their journey. In the Children in Care Teams, you'll support care experienced children by meeting statutory duties, helping them move from residential care into foster or post 16 placements and completing a range of assessments while working with partners to safeguard young people at risk of exploitation. Within our Family Help Teams, you'll deliver strengths based interventions and family plans that keep children safely at home. Through practical, solution focused support, you'll help families build on their strengths, overcome challenges and achieve better long term outcomes. Joining our Refugee Teams, you'll work with separated children, unaccompanied minors, care leavers and families with No Recourse to Public Funds - from arrival and initial assessments, through navigating the asylum process and moving towards independence, with a focus on family reunification.
What you'll do:
- Build strong, meaningful relationships with children and families to enable positive change.
- Lead on assessments, care planning, and interventions that safeguard and promote wellbeing.
- Work collaboratively with multi-agency partners to deliver effective, holistic support.
- Manage complex caseloads with autonomy, creativity, and a strong focus on outcomes.
- Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and reflective practice.
- As a Senior Social Worker, provide mentoring and practice support to colleagues, role model high standards of social work, and contribute to reflective practice and service development.
What we're looking for:
- Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
- Experience working in a UK based statutory social work setting.
- Senior Social Workers will have significant post qualifying experience (minimum 3 years) and be comfortable mentoring colleagues and role modelling best practice.
- Strong relationship building and communication skills, with the ability to engage families and build trust.
- Confident in assessing risk, analysing information, developing effective plans, and producing clear, high quality reports.
- Sound understanding of safeguarding, relevant legal frameworks, equality, and best value principles.
- Ability to manage complex caseloads and work effectively within multi agency settings.
- A creative, flexible, and forward thinking approach to practice.
Please note: This role is not open to Newly Qualified Social Workers. If you are a recent graduate, please apply through our Graduate Entry Training Scheme (GETS).
Why join us?
- Outstanding support: Regular, reflective supervision and a culture that values your voice.
- Flexible working: Including a 9-day fortnight and hybrid options to support work-life balance.
- Career development: 5 personal development days per year and access to excellent learning opportunities through our DfE 'Partner in Practice' initiative.
- Back-office support: Dedicated business support team to free up your time for frontline work.
- Relocation assistance: Up to £8,500 available for experienced UK-based Social Workers relocating to Hampshire (subject to management approval).
- Wellbeing support: Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
- Competitive benefits package: Generous annual leave, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
Ready to take the next step? Learn more: Explore the role, team, and our values in our Candidate Pack on our website. Apply by email: Send your CV to with the subject line 'Social Worker HCC623825'. By submitting your CV, you are giving consent for Hampshire County Council to store your data in accordance with data protection legislation. Alternatively, apply online: Click the 'Apply' button below to complete your application on our website. Important: You must already have the right to work in the UK. We are currently unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
Social Worker in Basingstoke employer: Workcircle
Hampshire County Council is an outstanding employer for Social Workers, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment that prioritises the wellbeing of both employees and the families they serve. With flexible working options, generous professional development opportunities, and a strong focus on reflective practice, you will be empowered to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families across Hampshire. Additionally, our commitment to employee wellbeing, including access to comprehensive support services, ensures that you can thrive both personally and professionally in this rewarding role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker in Basingstoke
✨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 Workcircle.
✨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 Workcircle!
✨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 Workcircle, 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 Workcircle 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 in Basingstoke
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 Workcircle:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Workcircle! 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 Workcircle
✨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.
