Overview
Social Worker, Family Safeguarding Team (4% Retention Payment paid in addition to quoted salary)
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Social Worker to join our Family Safeguarding Team, to make a difference to the lives of children and young people. You will have the opportunity to develop your skills and expertise in a supportive and dynamic environment.
Salary: In addition to the salary quoted, this role attracts a Retention Payment of 4% of annual salary after 1 year's service, subject to terms and conditions.
About You
You will be a qualified and experienced Social Worker with a background in child in need, child protection, and care proceedings. You are reliable and motivated, with a genuine passion for making a difference in the lives of children and young people.
You excel at building trusted and respectful relationships with children, families, support networks, and partner agencies, always ensuring that children’s voices are heard. You bring in-depth knowledge of safeguarding practices, legal powers, and statutory duties, underpinned by a strong understanding of relevant legislation, policies, and procedures.
You will be confident in managing complex cases, maintaining accurate records, and producing high-quality assessments and reports within tight deadlines. Above all, you are a committed professional who approaches every case with empathy, integrity, and a drive to create positive outcomes for children and their families.
About The Team
The Family Safeguarding Team is a stable and established multi-agency group of professionals who work collaboratively with specialist practitioners in domestic abuse, mental health, and substance misuse as part of our embedded family safeguarding approach. The team focuses on longer-term intervention, following transfer from our front door we undertake statutory social work interventions, including child in need, child protection, CLA and court proceedings. We strive to keep families together where it is safe to do so, with a focus on high support and high challenge.
Read more about our culture and what our staff say: Children’s social care culture | Bracknell Forest Council.
Key Responsibilities
* Develop and implement effective safeguarding plans to protect children from harm.
* Work alongside other professionals as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
* Manage a caseload of Child in Need, Child Protection, Care Proceedings and Children Looked After.
* Take part in the team duty system responding to concerns as they arise.
* Prioritise workload to ensure timeliness in visiting, report writing and other deadlines.
* Participate in regular reflective supervision and set clear goals and intervention strategies.
* Maintain accurate case records and comply with data protection and GDPR.
* Contribute to service development and the learning of others.
Benefits
* 28 days annual leave increasing to 33 days after 3 years’ continuous service, with the opportunity to buy up to 10 and sell up to 5 days.
* Paid employee volunteering scheme.
* Local government pension scheme, with life insurance cover.
* Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme (subject to eligibility).
* Reimbursement of Social Work England registration.
* Recognition of continuous service attained within the NHS and UKHSA when calculating some benefits. (Terms and Conditions apply)
* Career development through internal and external training opportunities.
* Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave.
* Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support your health and wellbeing.
* Inclusive and social working environment with staff networks and a sports and social club.
How to Apply and Additional Information
Please apply online via the link provided. Include a personal statement with your CV specifying why you are applying for this vacancy.
Bracknell Forest Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All successful candidates will be subject to a DBS check as part of pre-employment checks. We can only accept applications from candidates currently residing in the UK. Sponsorship for work varies; eligibility and budget apply. No agencies please.
Interview date: Shortlisting will be done weekly; interviews will be arranged a minimum of 7 days after shortlisting. Interviews are in person. AI usage is prohibited during the interview.
Reasonable adjustments: We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments, please contact recruitment@bracknell-forest.gov.uk.
Contacts for informal discussion: Maggie Mandecka – Team Manager (Maggie.Mandecka@bracknell-forest.gov.uk); Sharlie Horsted – Team Manager (Sharlie.Horsted@bracknell-forest.gov.uk).
Employer: Bracknell Forest Council • Location: Time Square, Bracknell • Contract: Permanent • Working Pattern: Flexible Hours/Full Time • Hours: 37 per week • DBS: Enhanced • Closing Date: 17/10/2025 23:59
Equal Opportunities: Bracknell Forest Council – Working for Equality. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Note: We reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.
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