General information Reference 005039 Closing Date 08/05/2026 Service Area Directorate Children's Services Service Area Children in Our Care Category Social Care - Children's Social Care Job Title Experienced Social Worker Grade BBU11 Salary Range (£ pro rata for part time roles) BBU11 41,771 - 45,091 Contract Type Full time permanent Contract Hours 37 Job Advert We are seeking an Experienced Social Worker to join the Children in Our Care team at Bedford Borough supporting Looked After Children from the age of 0 to18 years, including separated migrant children. This role will include care planning to provide permanency for our children and young people, whilst also improving education, health and social outcomes. Fulfilling statutory requirements whilst maintaining the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in Local Authority care is a fundamental element of the role, as well as productive partnership working and advocacy. This role requires the post holder to invest in our Parenting Together approach in order to promote the best outcomes for the children and young people in our care. How to apply When you are ready to apply, click on ‘Apply for Vacancy’; you will be asked to upload a CV and answer some application questions. The application questions require a yes/no response. Please make sure your CV shows how you meet the requirements for the role you are applying for, the job profile below will show the essential selection criteria. An optional CV template is provided below. Closing Date: 8th May 2026 Interview Date(s): 26th, 27th & 28th May 2026 Please note: The Council will not normally re-employ ex-employees in receipt of: · a severance payment (within 12 months of leaving) · a local government pension (applies to Senior Officers only) unless the appointment is business critical For further information, please email recruitment.team@bedford.gov.uk Guaranteed Interview Schemes Bedford Borough Council is proud to be a member of the Armed Forces Covenant and the Care Leavers Covenant, we pledge to interview any eligible job applicant who meets the minimum criteria for the job they are applying for. Bedford Borough Council is also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer and guarantees to interview anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the role they are applying for. Visa Sponsorship The Council has a sponsorship licence, and may be able to offer visa sponsorship to candidates for this post that are based in the UK Enhanced DBS Post This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. If your application is successful you will be required to declare any spent and unspent convictions, adult cautions (simple or conditional) that are not "protected" as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 and 2020). Salary Range: Competitive Salary plus MRS Grade: BBU11 plus market rate supplement £6,000pa (subject to review), welcome & retention payments Additional Vacancy Information Allowance (pro rata for part time roles) Market rate supplement Work Pattern Full time weekdays Is this an enhanced DBS role? Yes Is this a politically restricted role? No Is this a customer facing role which requires a fluent English Speaker? Yes Location Bedfordshire Location Borough Hall Bedford Is this a designated car user position? Yes