South End City Council
R2R103824 - Families First - Social Worker - Permanent
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R2R103824 - Families First - Social Worker - Permanent
Qualified Social Worker – Families First Service
Southend City Council
About the Role
At Southend City Council’s Families First Service, relationships matter, practice is purposeful, and children are at the centre of everything we do. Our service is driven by a clear vision: to deliver effective, compassionate, and child-centred support that creates lasting change.
Our practice model—Relational, Systemic and Decisive—shapes how we work. We believe the best outcomes arise from strong, meaningful relationships and a deep understanding of a child’s environment. Your role will involve:
- Building supportive relationships with families, fostering change from a place of strength
- Providing restorative, holistic support to improve children’s lives
- Practicing within our Restorative Practice framework to continuously develop and evidence assessment based on child-centered principles.
As a Qualified Social Worker, you’ll bring confidence and compassionate expertise, ensuring no child is left without meaningful intervention. You’ll be part of a team where your voice matters—regardless of experience—taking the lead in areas you’re passionate about.
Responsibilities
Core Duties
- Work directly with children, young people, and families to create positive, lasting change
- Build trustful, relational bonds using a restorative approach, underpinned by our service model
- Assess need and risk with confidence, putting the child’s lived experience at the core
- Shape high-quality, ethical plans that prioritise safety, stability, and long-term wellbeing
- Collaborate with partners to deliver a coordinated, child-focused service
Key Accountabilities
- Provide cost-effective, efficient support, balancing emotional care with professional assessment
- Investigate, evaluate, and analyse cases with clarity:
- Demonstrate strong methodological expertise in reflecting on and sharing thorough assessment conclusions
- Evidence holistic considerations of individual development needs within immediate and extended social circles
- Uphold equivalent professional standards by ensuring timely, accurate, and accessible documentation
- Promote a workload approach:
- Ensure parity in quality and accessibility of service, coordinating resources to maximise effectiveness
- Promote sustainable working practices and managing supported workload from multiple sources.
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Requirements
Essential Criteria
- You must be a Qualified Social Worker with a recognised Social Work qualification and a current registration with Social Work England
- Must have completed your Assessment of Social Work Education (ASYE)
- Have significant, recent experience working in Children’s Frontline services
- In-depth knowledge of:
- Child protection
- Looked-after children and associated children in need protocols
- Demonstrate strong capabilities in social work theory and practise, with clear insight into methods of intervention, restorative approaches, and wellbeing
- Ability to analyse new cases and determine identified correct courses of action
- Must have a valid driving licence with access to and use of a personal car (essential for attending appointments and placement visits)
Preferred Attributes
- A growth mindset with a passion for continuous learning and practice development
- An ability to engage leadership and clinicians to advance practice
- Experience in leading on complex casework or organisational development projects
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Benefits & Support
Employment here means devoted professional growth and a strong work–life balance:
Training & Development
- Access to bespoke social work development designed by social workers for social workers
- Regular restorative supervision alongside focused support for Social Work England registration evidence
Flexibility & Wellbeing
- 25 days annual leave (pro-rata for part-time roles)
- Hybrid working options (minimum 2 days on-site at the Civic Centre)
- Duty system: 1 week on, 5 weeks off within a six-week rotation
- Organisational support for continuous personal/professional development
Council Benefits
- Competitive remuneration package
- A supportive, values-led workplace with a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion
Application Process
Applicants are advised to apply early due to high demand and potential premature vacancy closure.
- Submit an updated CV via the ‘Apply Online’ button.
- If you require further details not listed here, contact: Nathalie.s@hays.com
- For further information on job specifics, visit the Job Description linked here.
Note: Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks are mandatory for all applicants.
Commitment to Equality
Southend City Council is an equal opportunities employer. Applications are encouraged from everyone, regardless of:
- Race | Ethnic background
- Gender | Gender reassignment
- Sexual orientation
- Age
- Disability
- Marital or civil status
- Pregnancy or maternity
- Religion or belief
- Protective characteristics outlined under legacy legislation
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