Overview
Children in Care and Young People - Transforming Young Lives
Young Peoples Social Worker
Join Wiltshire's Young Peoples Service, part of the Family and Children's Service, where we lead and develop targeted and specialist support for vulnerable youth. As a Young Peoples Social Worker, you'll work directly with adolescents aged 10-17 who are at risk of or experiencing exploitation, offending, going missing, or facing significant vulnerabilities.
You will hold case responsibility for children in need and those requiring protection, conducting assessments, planning interventions, and working collaboratively with families and multi‑agency partners to achieve positive outcomes.
This role demands a trauma‑informed approach, a deep understanding of adolescent development, and the ability to creatively meet complex needs within available resources. You will be expected to contribute to safeguarding processes, attend relevant meetings and court hearings, and maintain accurate records. Flexibility is key, with occasional work outside normal hours to support families when they need it most.
We are looking for a qualified social worker registered with Social Work England, with strong knowledge of child protection legislation, exploitation indicators, and youth justice. Experience working with vulnerable young people, children in care, and their families is essential, along with the ability to apply theory to practice and engage effectively with adolescents.
Main Duties
As the primary worker with case responsibility for adolescent children in need and those requiring protection (predominantly aged 10‑17), the role focuses on supporting individuals at risk of or experiencing criminal or sexual exploitation, offending, going missing, or displaying significant vulnerabilities.
Operating within council policy, it is essential to remain informed about social work methods, practice developments, new legislation, and procedures, including the Children’s Act 2004. The position involves interpreting and implementing statutory duties and departmental policies in delivering services to children and young people.
Work is allocated by team leaders or the delegatee based on eligibility criteria, with full case management responsibility.
Duties include completing timely enquiries and assessments of needs and risks, considering the wishes of the child and family, and conducting S47 enquiries, joint investigations with Police, and specialist assessments such as CSE, CCE, and AIM. Engagement occurs in various settings, including homes, schools, and hospitals.
Appropriate actions must be taken to minimise risks in line with assessment frameworks, child protection procedures, and looked‑after children legislation. The role also requires developing and implementing plans with children, young people, and families to address identified issues, ensuring interventions are necessary and proportionate.
Job Responsibilities (Summary)
• Primary worker with case responsibility for adolescent children in need and children in need of protection (ages 10‑17).
• Stay up to date with social work methods, practice developments, and new legislation including the Children’s Act 2004.
• Interpret and implement statutory duties and departmental policy and procedures in service delivery.
• Allocate work from team leaders and hold case management responsibility.
• Complete enquiries and assessments of needs and risks for vulnerable children and young people in a timely manner, giving due consideration to the wishes and views of the child and family. This includes S47 and other assessments, joint investigations alongside Police and specialist assessments.
• Take appropriate action to assess and minimise risks to children and young people. Draw up and implement plans with the child or young person, family, and carers. Conduct regular reviews of individual plans and report outcomes.
• Convene meetings, write reports for child protection conferences, planning meetings, looked‑after children reviews, legal meetings, and court hearings.
• Maintain accurate electronic records and collaborate with Young People Support Workers, Youth Justice Workers, YOT Officers, No Wrong Door practitioners and colleagues across Families and Children Services to achieve shared family goals.
• Work proactively and in partnership with other agencies to plan and deliver coordinated services, contributing to team processes, and professional development.
• Contribute to the achievement of team and departmental performance targets while maintaining confidentiality and working within financial constraints.
Person Specification – Essential
* Professional social work qualification.
* Social Work England registered.
* Up‑to‑date knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance in relation to working with children and young people, particularly adolescents.
* Ability to engage with vulnerable young people aged 10‑17.
* Detailed knowledge of the risks and indicators of exploitation (CSE and CCE), disruption techniques and working with young people who are involved or at risk of entering the youth justice system, displaying significant vulnerabilities, going missing or at risk of exploitation.
* Knowledge of child and adolescent development (adolescence, brain development, peer impact).
* Thorough understanding of the needs of vulnerable young people, those who have experienced trauma and children in care, and the ability to put trauma‑informed work into practice.
* Up to date knowledge of key child care legislation, policies and practices central to the provision of a professional social work service on behalf of the council.
* Ability to apply a range of theories, models and interventions and assess impact for the service user.
* Understanding of assessment processes, collaboration with other agencies, timescales and performance targets.
* Experience of direct work with children, young people (aged 10‑18) and families.
* Extensive experience of working with children in care, their families and foster carers.
* Experience of completing assessments, joint investigations, reports and plans for children identified as vulnerable and in need.
* Ability to challenge poor performance and evidence of improving performance.
* Ability to give objective timely advice.
* Excellent report writing skills.
* Proven organisational skills, prioritise work, manage time effectively and meet deadlines.
* Ability to keep accurate electronic records.
* Ability to contribute positively to the social work team and department.
* Takes responsibility for own professional development and commitment to evidence‑based practice.
* Good IT skills.
* Effective communication skills, both verbal and written with colleagues, external agencies and service users.
* Agrises creative approach to complex problems and ability to develop and maintain professional relationships within and outside the department.
* Fluent in English.
Person Specification – Desirable
* Extensive experience of working with young people who are involved or at risk of entering the youth justice system, displaying significant vulnerabilities, going missing or at risk of exploitation (sexual or criminal).
* Extensive experience of undertaking AIM assessments and interventions with young people.
* A post‑qualifying award in Social Work.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer Details
Wiltshire Council
County Hall
Bythesea Rd
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JN
http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/
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