Overview
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 37 per week
Salary: Grade H1/H2 SCP 27 - 35 £38,220 - £46,142 per annum
Closing Date: Monday 22nd September 2025 at 23:59
Supporting Our Children Service
Blackpool Children’s Services has been on an incredible journey. It has faced OFSTED improvement activity and DFE intervention, which impacted the workforce. The service is now developing a good practice reputation and has seen positive recent OFSTED feedback, with improved services for children and families.
There is a stable management team and a focus on investing in social work practice. The Blackpool Families Rock values, culture and practice principles are co-produced with children, young people, families and partner agencies. The service prioritises supervision and aims to reduce caseloads to support relationship-building with children and families.
Staff are offered flexible working, including remote and home working and flexible hours to meet personal needs. If you would like to join, you will gain invaluable experience, a manageable caseload, interesting work and strong management support.
Support for Our Children Service
Supporting Our Children focuses on ensuring children in care receive equal life chances. The service manages small teams and focuses on assessment, review and support for children and young people in long‑term care to promote permanence and safe transitions, including reunification with family or move toward independence. Social workers are encouraged to advocate and build long‑term trusting relationships, helping children understand their life stories.
For further information contact Julie McClements, Head of Service, at Julie.mcclements@blackpool.gov.uk or 01253 477304.
This is a fantastic opportunity for qualified social workers and for newly qualified social workers starting their careers. Blackpool offers structured career pathways from ASYE to Head of Service, with progression opportunities.
If you are a newly qualified social worker, the ASYE programme offers:
* A high level of comprehensive support and supervision
* Phased insight to the work/caseload
* Hands-on experience
* Competitive salary
* Supported training and mentoring from the Principal Social Worker and Practice Development Team
Upon completion of ASYE, continued support is provided to develop into an experienced social worker (H2 grade).
We aim to ensure smaller numbers of children and families per worker to allow time for high-quality, child‑centred social work and personal development.
What we offer
* Pay: strong salary offer; possible salary match within the banding for similar roles
* Genuine flexible working: family‑friendly patterns, remote/home working options, flexible start/finish times
* Small teams, clear line management and practice development support
* Caseloads: manageable, varied and appropriate to the role
* Access to senior leadership and Principal Social Worker
* Social Work England registration fee paid
* 26 days’ annual leave (rising to 28 after 5 years, 32 after 10 years) with option to buy 5 extra days via salary sacrifice
* Toil encouragement to take time off
* Supervision: strengthened policy to support a trusting relationship with your manager
* Leadership stability and DfE appointment of Commissioner
* Career development focused on development
* Relocation support up to £8,000
* Blackpool Council Staff benefits: Social Work Benefits and Diversity
* Employee Assistance Programme for counselling, financial or legal advice
* Mental Health First Aiders on site
* Practice recognition through Principal Social Worker Best Practice Awards
All of this adds up to an exciting package.
Recruitment process updates: quick responses to expressions of interest, regular virtual interview days, and ongoing contact from offer onward.
Applying to more than one Social Work Team?
Please submit only one application, stating the Teams you wish to apply for and how you meet the skills/knowledge required for each Team within your Supporting Information. For further details contact Charlotte Norris at 07407 149581.
Interviews may be conducted virtually. Guidance on virtual interviews is available.
Please email Charlotte.norris@blackpool.gov.uk if alternative interview dates are needed.
Not ready to apply yet? Register your interest.
Click here to view the Job Description. Please click here to see the benefits of working for Blackpool Council.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to satisfactory references, DBS check, medical clearance, evidence of essential qualifications, and right to work in the UK under the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, with some offences protected. See GOV.UK filtering guidance for DBS certificates.
For health and wellbeing information during employment, see here. For information on Blackpool career paths and development opportunities, see here.
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