Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Head of Social Work

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About the Organisation
There couldn’t be a more exciting time to join us. In our recent inspection, Ofsted judged our Children’s Services as ‘Good’.
We are seeking candidates with the passion and drive to make a difference, who want to join us on our journey to achieving excellence.
Size is our strength and working for a small Borough means that your interaction with other members of our leadership teams and services are more accessible.
We strive to keep abreast of new developments but always maintain a person centered perspective to our working arrangements. As our employee we want to provide you with a better work life balance with flexible and agile working arrangements.
Our people services have a proud record of achievement in supporting adults, children and communities in the borough. We do this by promoting independence, health, wellbeing and through safeguarding from harm.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
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No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Our vision is to develop and retain high performing, motivated teams and to ensure that our offer of continuous professional development makes Blackburn with Darwen an attractive place for people to work.
About the Role
We are looking for a candidate who has a depth of experience and knowledge across a number of key disciplines including managing and leading the statutory service areas for children and families in need of help and protection including safeguarding, effective step up and step down from social care into early help, compliant assessments of children in need and an effective service to children and families in receipt of a child protection plan and interventions.
Responsibilities
- Managing and leading the statutory service areas for children and families in need of help and protection including safeguarding.
- Ensuring effective step up and step down from social care into early help.
- Delivering compliant assessments of children in need.
- Providing an effective service to children and families in receipt of a child protection plan and interventions.


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Qualifications
- A qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England, with significant leadership experience in children's social care.
- Subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Contact Information
For a further informal discussion please contact:
- Joanne Siddle, Strategic Director Childrens & Education via email: joanne.siddle@blackburn.gov.uk
- Sharon Ridings, Deputy Director Childrens via email: Sharon.Ridings@blackburn.gov.uk
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