Dorset Council
Consultant Social Worker
Get notified of more jobs like this · No spam, ever
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
The Family Support and Advice Line, Dorset Council’s Children’s Services “Front Door” Team
The Family Support and Advice Line, Dorset Council’s Children’s Services “Front Door” team, is a supportive and forward-thinking service, where you will be invested in and have every opportunity to make that positive difference to children’s lives. Our Front Door Social Workers are known as Consultant Social Workers and form a dedicated, collaborative and highly regarded team.
About the Role
The Family Support and Advice Line is a telephone, conversation and consultation-based service for all safeguarding contacts and referrals, one where relationships and collaboration is promoted to ensure that children and young people receive the right support, first time and in their communities. We work closely with our Family Help colleagues and MASH partners, so being an effective communicator and adopting a strengths-based approach is key.
We truly are ‘One Team’ where relationship-based and restorative practice is central to our service culture. Our team have been able to develop operational leads within the service, contributing to practice development within the service and wider organisation.
Our focus is on supporting families to meet the needs of their children and keeping children at home where it is safe to do so. You’ll find a variety of exciting challenges, working with our children, families, and partners, in a workplace that’s part of a community that values your skills, appreciates your passion, and recognises the difference you can make.
The Family Support and Advice Line works 365 days per year and includes our Out of Hours service. Our Consultant Social Workers work on a rota basis including an overnight, on call requirement once per fortnight. This requires a flexible and solution-focused approach, with a clear understanding of service demand and how we all work together.
About You
You are a skilled practitioner and registered social worker who can work flexibly, demonstrate calmness and reflection whilst under pressure. You are someone who supports your colleagues and promotes relationships with partner agencies, and our communities to ensuring our children in Dorset thrive.
We actively support a learning together culture. As a successful candidate you would demonstrate how you develop and promote a positive learning culture, not only in respect of your own learning but for others, whether this is within the service, the wider organisation, in our work with partners or with our children and families.
You will have a Diploma/Degree/MA in Social Work and have a minimum of 4 years post qualifying experience in Children's Services. You will also be registered with Social Work England.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
You’ll join a forward-thinking service, where you’ll be encouraged to think creatively, question how we do things, and devise new, innovative approaches through our Partnership Workforce Events – our Children's Services' employee forum. There are opportunities to be involved in and chair multi-agency meetings, and for career progression through, for example, supervising members of the team, providing training for partners, and developing a lead role for our conversational model.
About Us
At Dorset Council, it's not just about the work we do, it's about how we do it. Hear directly from our employees about what makes Dorset Council special in this short video:
Unable to show this video due to your cookie preferences
At Dorset Council, we are working together to create a fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable Dorset for everyone, now and in the future.
We
- provide essential services that support over 300,000 residents
- work in partnership to make a real difference
- value every role and the impact it has on our communities
- support our employees to grow, develop, and thrive
You Will
- be part of a team that works together for a better Dorset
- have access to a range of benefits and support
- receive training and development opportunities to help your career progress
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve.
We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible, if you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application.
This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement.
If you’re passionate about making a difference, we’d love you to join us.
Contact Information
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact one of our Team Managers:
- Jonnie Daniels – 01305 225833
- Jane Gillett – 01305 225820
- Rachel Gauntlett – 01305 225821
Current 14 Week Rota
| Week | Sat | Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9am-10pm | 1pm-10pm | 12pm-10pm | R | R | R | 9am-7pm |
| 2 | R | R | R | 8am-6.15pm | 8am-6.15pm | 8am-6.15pm | 8am-6.15pm |
| 3 | R | R | 9am-7pm | 12pm-10pm | 12pm-10pm | R | 9am-7pm |
| 4 | R | R | 8am-6.15pm | R | 8am-6.15pm | 8am-6.15pm | 8am-6.15pm |
| 5 | R | R | 9am-7pm | R | 9am-7pm | 9am-7pm | 12pm-10pm |
| 6 | R | R | 8am-6.15pm | 8am-6.15pm | R | 8am-6.15pm | 8am-6.15pm |
| 7 | R | R | R | 9am-7pm | 12pm-10pm | 12pm-10pm | 9am-7pm |
| 8 | R | R | 8am-6.15pm | 8am-6.15pm | 8am-6.15pm | 8am-6.15pm | R |
| 9 | 1pm-10pm | 9am-10pm | 12pm-10pm | 12pm-10pm | R | R | R |
| 10 | R | R | R | 8am-6.15pm | 8am-6.15pm | 8am-6.15pm | 8am-6.15pm |
| 11 | R | R | 9am-7pm | 9am-7pm | 9am-7pm | 12pm-10pm | R |
| 12 | R | R | 8am-6.15pm | 8am-6.15pm | 8am-6.15pm | R | 8am-6.15pm |
| 13 | R | R | 9am-7pm | R | 9am-7pm | 9am-7pm | 12pm-10pm |
| 14 | R | R | 8am-6.15pm | 8am-6.15pm | 8am-6.15pm | 8am-6.15pm | R |
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
R = Rest day
Additional Information
This post requires significant travel. You must have a vehicle (or transport we deem suitable) available for use as needed.
This post involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults and/or having access to significant information about them. It will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check. See our policy on the employment of ex-offenders.
See our policy on safeguarding children and young people.
See our adult safeguarding policy.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location