This is a great time to join us in Plymouth where exciting things are happening. We are developing Families First Partnership approaches with our partners to ensure children and families have the help and support they need to help them to be safe, happy and to thrive.
This is an exciting time to be part of something new and really help shape the future offer for children, young people and families in Plymouth. We have a variety of opportunities available for qualified social workers based on your passion and interest of work and will be looking to match you to the right teams.
Who We’re Looking For
* Are committed to high‑quality practice and safeguarding.
* Value collaboration, honesty, and continuous learning.
* Are compassionate, curious, and action oriented.
* Want to be part of a team that supports each other and puts children, young people and their families first.
The Role
We are at a crucial point in our implementation of the Families First Partnership programme of children’s social care reforms and are looking for Social Workers to be part of new teams working in a multi‑disciplinary way, moving towards locality working alongside partner agencies.
As a Social Worker in Plymouth, you will join a friendly, dedicated, talented and passionate team of social workers, family help practitioners, social work assistants and students who value getting things right for children and their families through our trauma‑informed, restorative and strengths‑based practice approach.
You will be at the heart of keeping children and young people safe, using creative family‑led approaches to help families stay together, and ensuring high‑quality protection, care and planning when it is needed.
* Build meaningful relationships with children, young people and their families.
* Carry out thorough and timely assessments to understand needs and risks and inform effective intervention plans.
* Make decisions that put children’s best interests first.
* Advocate for children and young people, including care leavers.
* Work collaboratively with professionals across sectors.
* Contribute to our practice improvement and embed best practice.
* Champion trauma‑informed, strengths based and restorative practice.
The ’10 Wishes’ developed by our children and young people are embedded across our partnership as part of our commitment to listening to children’s voices and acting in response to what they tell us. You will be able to demonstrate evidence of your commitment to the voice of children and families.
Why Work in Plymouth
Plymouth is a city of ambition, compassion and progress. Our latest Ofsted inspection (January 2024) recognised significant progress and highlighted multiple areas of strength.
* Timely child protection work: Improved understanding of risk and early support prevents drift or delay.
* Strong relationships: Social workers know the children they work with, build trust, and advocate for them.
* Corporate parenting culture: Senior leaders and elected members are committed to looked‑after children and care leavers.
* Support for early career staff: Our ASYE programme and Children Services Learning Academy offers robust support and continued professional development throughout your career.
* Care leaver progress: Ofsted praised our ambition and support for care‑experienced young people aged 16–25.
What We Offer
When you join us, you’ll be joining a service that values you not just for what you can do, but for who you are and what you could become. Our leaders and managers are committed to creating an environment where best practice thrives. Our Learning Academy delivers a comprehensive programme of workforce development for practitioners and managers at all stages of their careers, to support our workforce to progress their careers with us.
* Full reimbursement of Social Work England registration fees.
* Excellent learning and development opportunities from our Children’s Services Learning Academy.
* Supportive team working and strong supervision and leadership support.
* Flexible working arrangements, including remote options.
* Access to a Local Government Pension Scheme and employee wellbeing services.
* Discounts, salary sacrifice schemes, and more via iCHOOSE.
* Relocation package up to £8,000.
Living and Working in Plymouth
* Coastal beauty, Dartmoor nearby, beaches, and green spaces.
* A lively university city with arts, culture, and maritime heritage.
* Affordable living compared to larger cities.
* Strong partnerships and visible impact in children’s services.
* A commitment to fairness, inclusion, wellbeing, and leadership.
Disclosure & Barring Service Check
The Disclosure & Barring Service Check requirement for this post is: Enhanced Check plus DBS Children’s Barred List & DBS Adult’s Barred List.
Employment Conditions
We are a flexible employer and provide a variety of working arrangements tailored to the needs of each role. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK.
Equal Opportunities
Plymouth City Council is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of age, care experience, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion/belief, sex or sexual orientation. As part of our commitment to promoting equality we offer guaranteed interviews to those who meet the essential criteria and are considered disabled, care‑experienced, or are an Armed Forces Service Leaver within the last two years.
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