Suffolk County Council
Children's Social Workers and Senior Social Workers
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- Suffolk County Council
Address: Various locations in Suffolk, Hybrid and Community based - Bury St Edmunds IP33 3YU, Ipswich IP1 2BX or Lowestoft NR33 0EQ
Salary: £37,280 - £47,054 per annum (pro rata for part time), plus, retention payment of up to £4,000 per year (pro rata for part time)
Hours: Full time or part time hours available
Contract: Permanent
Job roles available:
- Social Workers: £37,280 - £40,777 per annum, plus £4,000 annual retention payment (pro rata for part time)
- Senior Social Workers: £41,502 - £47,054 per annum, plus £3,500 annual retention payment (pro rata for part time)
Suffolk County Council (SCC) is different. We are a modern, flexible, and forward-thinking organisation that's constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of our communities. We are also passionate about providing exceptional care and support to children and young people in need, and understand that to provide an outstanding service, our Social Workers need to be at their best. Here, you will find a supportive atmosphere designed to help you flourish professionally whilst maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Join a profession that changes lives. As a social worker, you will be part of a regulated, highly skilled team making a positive impact every day. While supporting children and their families, you will help people find solutions, promote their rights, and empower them to thrive. We value the unique experiences and dedication our Social Workers bring, and we are committed to sharing the real, positive stories of social work in our community.
Are you ready to reimagine what your social work career could be?
As a Social Worker with us, you will enjoy a dynamic work environment where your ideas are valued, your potential is nurtured, and your work makes a tangible difference.
- Hear from our staff about our Social Work teams [https://www.suffolkjobsdirect.org/#en/sites/CX_2001/pages/483039].
- Find out more about Social Work within SCC Children and Young Peoples Services [https://www.careers.suffolk.gov.uk/home/careers/career-pathways/social-work/social-work-in-cyp].
Shaping Careers and Learning
We understand that being a social worker can be a challenging role, which is why we offer:
- regular supervision sessions to provide guidance and assistance
- comprehensive training opportunities to boost your professional skills
- a structured career Progression Scheme to foster your growth.
This way, you can be confident in your abilities and provide the best possible care to those in need.
Additional Benefits
- Up to 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays per annum, pro rata for part time.
- An uplift of 3 additional annual leave days, pro rata for part time.
- 3 protected CPD days per annum.
- Access to a relocation package of up to £8,000, a car leasing scheme and a welcome loan of £2,000 for all new social workers moving to Suffolk.
- Free on-site car parking in all council buildings.
- Flexible working options and our commitment to supporting health and wellbeing.
- Detailed induction programme, including mandatory Signs of Safety training.
- Staff networks which are open to staff, councillors and partners that share similar characteristics, life experiences, values and beliefs.
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What you will need
- A relevant social work qualification and Social Work England registration
- To hold a full and current driving licence and have access to personal transport or meet the mobility requirements of the role through other reasonable and suitable means.
Take a look at what makes our Ideal Worker [https://sccrecruit.blob.core.windows.net/assets/SCC/Other-Docs/The-Ideal-Worker.pdf], shaped by the voices of young people.
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profiles below, if you believe you can succeed in this role, please apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
Discover More
- A day in the life of a Children's Social Worker. [https://www.suffolkjobsdirect.org/#en/sites/CX_2001/pages/91001]
- Find out about our beautiful county of Suffolk and see what a wonderful place it is to live and work, please visit welcome to Suffolk [https://www.visitsuffolk.com/].
- Further information on what we will offer you [https://www.careers.suffolk.gov.uk/home/benefits].
- Sponsorship for a visa may be available for current UK residents. This role is based in Suffolk.
The team
You’ll join one of our dedicated Family Help Teams - multi‑disciplinary groups of social workers and practitioners committed to improving outcomes for children and young people across Suffolk.
We work creatively, collaboratively and with compassion, always striving to ensure every child can live their best life.
Hybrid working, community engagement and flexible approaches are all part of how we operate.
Empowering Everyone
We are big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We are always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report [https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/our-aims-and-transformation-programmes/the-councils-equality-and-inclusion-commitment-to-you].
For more information
For a casual chat about the role/s, please email cypsocialworkenquiries@suffolk.gov.uk or contact Steve Blaney by calling 07742 505342.
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How to apply
Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile:
- Social Worker JPP (Word) [https://sccrecruit.blob.core.windows.net/assets/SCC/CYP-SW-NQ-JPP-June-2026.docx]
- Senior Social Worker JPP (Word) [https://sccrecruit.blob.core.windows.net/assets/SCC/CYP-SSW-JPP-June-2026.docx]
Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.
Step 3 - Upload a CV (Curriculum Vitae) (without name and personal details).
Please note: Without a CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.
For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page [https://www.suffolkjobsdirect.org/#en/sites/CX_3001/pages/657088].
Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read our guidance for using AI [https://www.suffolkjobsdirect.org/#en/sites/CX_3001/pages/764097] to understand what’s acceptable.
Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages [https://www.suffolkjobsdirect.org/#en/sites/CX_3001/pages/757078].
For internal staff only, please complete our Statement of Interest (Word) [https://sccrecruit.blob.core.windows.net/assets/SCC/SW-SSW-Statement-of-Interest.docx] and return this by emailing: cypsocialworkenquiries@suffolk.gov.uk
Closing date: 11:30pm, 31 August 2026
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid #IND1
As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.
In return, you’ll enjoy:
- up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
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