Children's Social Workers - Level 2/3 - Children and Families First Team
Job Introduction
From 1 December 2025, our refreshed Pay and Reward package comes into effect, bringing a new approach to how we recognise and reward roles across the Council. This means the salary for this role will be changing. The pay range for this role (Level 2 - 3) will be £42,839 - £53,460 (pro rata for part time colleagues) from 1 December 2025 and pay protection will not apply.
Currently the Recruitment & Retention Supplement for Level 2 is a fixed amount of £4,234 per annum (pro rata for part time colleagues). From 1 December the Recruitment & Retention Supplement for this role may be up to £1,331 per annum (pro rata for part time colleagues).
Currently the Recruitment & Retention Supplement for Level 3 is a fixed amount of £5,719 per annum (pro rata for part time colleagues). From 1 December the Recruitment & Retention Supplement for this role may be up to £3,249 per annum (pro rata for part time colleagues).
Recruitment and Retention Supplements are in addition to the base salary. They are temporary, and awarded solely at the discretion of BCP Council, in accordance with our Interim Salary Supplement policy, which will be replaced by the new Pay and Allowances policy being introduced on 1 December 2025.
About our team
Safeguarding is everyone's business and whilst the initial assessment of risk takes place in the assessment service, the Children and Families First teams are here for those families where longer‑term intervention at level 4 is required to reduce risk and achieve positive change. The Children and Families First teams work with families where children have been assessed to be children in need or at risk of harm. Assessments and plans are reviewed on a regular basis to prevent drift and to ensure the child's journey progresses in a timely way. The team work closely with families and a range of other agencies to support children who are subject to child in need and child protection plans and in some cases children at the early stages of being looked after. The teams use a range of interventions within our restorative practice framework to address and reduce risk. Key areas for consideration in the teams are co‑production, safety planning, strong relationships with children, early permanence planning and legal interventions in circumstances where children are not considered safe in their family.
There are 6 Children and Families First teams, each consisting of a Team Manager, ATM, 7 social workers and a family support practitioner. All statutory teams are co‑located within the Civic Centre, Bournemouth, but work flexibly across the BCP area.
Who we want to meet
If you are an experienced Social Worker we want to hear from you. If you are reflective, proactive and resilient, have the desire to make a real difference and ensure children and their voices are at the heart of everything you do, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council could be the place for you.
Responsibilities & Experience
If you are interested in this level of social work, you will need to:
* have experience of a mentoring role in front line SW of less experienced staff including new and newly qualified staff, and SW students on placement;
* have post‑qualifying award (e.g. Practice Education), and/or be willing to undertake Practice Education training;
* be already working to the DfE Knowledge and Skills statements for child and family practitioners;
* be able to work with very complex referrals and complex casework and have high quality skills in analysis of risk and decision making;
* have strong and confident presentation skills;
* have strong conflict resolution skills;
* have a commitment to continuous professional development;
* develop and maintain a professional network, to share expertise and in order to support the outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.
We will require you to:
* be able to travel across the full Council area in a timely manner.
* have significant experience of front line SW safeguarding.
We can offer you
* Full induction, with a very supportive Practice Fundamentals offer.
* Clear career progression pathway and excellent learning opportunities.
* Manageable and diverse caseloads.
* Regular supervision.
* 25 days annual leave (pro rata, for those without continuous service), plus bank holidays.
* Competitive salary with access to local government pension scheme.
* Flexible working arrangements in our newly refurbished Civic Offices with local offices near to where you need to work.
* Employee Assistance Programme.
* Relocation scheme.
* Staff network groups.
Further Information
For an informal discussion about any of the roles above, please contact Vanessa Johns, Service Manager for Children and Families First and PLO Court at the contact details on the careers page.
BCP Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the community and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Applicants to this post will be required to complete the appropriate level of Disclosure & Barring Service check.
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