Plymouth City Council
Social Worker - Children's Social Work
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Social Worker - Children's Social Work
Social Worker Opportunities in Plymouth – Families First Partnership Programme
About the Role
This is an exciting time to join Plymouth City Council as we develop Families First Partnership approaches with our partners. Our mission is to ensure children and families have the necessary support to stay safe, happy, and thrive.
We are seeking qualified social workers to help shape the future of children’s social care in Plymouth. Our focus is on creative, family-led approaches, driving systemic change, and ensuring high-quality protection, care, and planning.
Here’s your chance to be part of something meaningful—contributing to nationally leading reforms and ensuring children and families get the best support.
Who We’re Looking For
We welcome applications from qualified and experienced social workers who:
- Are committed to high-quality practice and safeguarding
- Value collaboration, honesty, and continuous learning
- Are compassionate, curious and action-oriented
- Believe in supporting each other and putting children, young people and their families first
The Role: Social Worker (Families First Partnership Programme)
You’ll be joining a forward-thinking team, supporting new multi-disciplinary practices in locality-based working.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Building meaningful relationships with children, young people, and families.
- Conducting thorough and timely assessments to identify needs and risks.
- Guiding effective intervention plans based on families’ strengths.
- Making decisionsthat prioritise children’s best interests.
- Advocating for children and young people, including care leavers.
- Collaborating with professionals across sectors to ensure the best outcomes.
- Supporting safeguarding, care planning, and trauma-informed practice.
- Championing strengths-based, restorative approaches in line with our commitment to the children’s ‘10 Wishes’.
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Why Work in Plymouth?
Strengths as Recognised by Ofsted (Jan 2024)
- Improved safeguarding through early intervention, reducing delays.
- Strong social worker-family relationships, fostering trust and advocacy.
- A corporate parenting culture ensuring focus on looked-after children.
- Support tailored for early-career staff through our ASYE programme and Children Services Learning Academy.
- Excellent outcomes for care leavers, helping them thrive beyond early adulthood.
The Plymouth Difference
- Leading the way in children’s services with national innovation, including early adoption of the DfE’s Early Career Framework and contextual safeguarding research partnership with Durham University.
- Locally led and proactive, we don’t just respond to change; we drive it.
What We Offer
When you join us, you’ll benefit from:
- A supportive and challenging work culture, combining high expectations, strong backing, and clear development paths.
- Comprehensive Learning Academy featuring training, mentoring, and career progression opportunities.
- Full reimbursement of Social Work England registration fees.
- Excellent learning and development tailored to your career growth.
- Family-friendly and personal work life balance, including flexible working and remote options.
- Employee wellbeing and support services included.
- Pension scheme, disability and sickness benefits, and council-specific discounts via iCHOOSE.
- Relocation package of up to £8,000, if needed.
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Living & Working in Plymouth
Plymouth offers:
- Breathtaking coastal scenery, Dartmoor access, beaches, and green spaces.
- A vibrant cultural city with a strong maritime heritage and arts scene.
- More affordable living costs compared to bigger cities.
- A progressive, inclusive community with a visible impact on children’s services.
Application
Are you ready to join our team and shape a brighter future for Plymouth’s children and young people?
Guaranteed Interview Scheme
As an inclusive employer, we offer guaranteed interviews for applicants who are:
- Disabled
- Care-experienced
- Recent Armed Forces service leavers (within two years)
Please contact: abrightfuture@plymouth.gov.uk Closing date: Sunday 5 July 2024
Commitment to Equality
We are an equal opportunities employer and consider all applications fairly, regardless of:
- Age, gender reassignment, pregnancy/maternity
- Care experience, disability, race
- Religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation
This role does not sponsor visas and expects applicants to be legally eligible to work in the UK.
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