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.
Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK.
Who We’re Looking For
We welcome applications from qualified and experienced social workers who:
* 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 our Families First Front Door working alongside partner agencies.
Working Within a Fast‑paced, Multi‑agency Environment, You Will
* Respond to referrals requiring prompt professional intervention
* Safeguard children at risk of significant harm in line with the Children Act 1989
* Safeguard vulnerable adults in line with the Care Act 2014
* Undertake assessments of need and risk and make defensible decisions
* Lead or contribute to strategy discussions, safeguarding enquiries and court work
* Work closely with partner agencies to prevent needs escalating
* Maintain high‑quality recording and professional analysis
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.
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.
In Plymouth, we take pride in being nationally leading and we are known for our proactive approach to improving outcomes. As early adopters of the DfE’s Early Career Framework, and partners in national research with Durham University for Contextual Safeguarding we don’t just respond to change; we help lead it.
The Families First Children’s Service provides a 24‑hour response to concerns for children and young people 7 days a week, 365 days a year and all staff in the team have training and experience in the support and safeguarding of children. Colleagues working in the Families First Children’s Service will work on a 4‑day rota cycle between the hours of
* 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday
* 9am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday and bank holidays.
To compensate for working unsociable hours all staff will receive a 15% enhancement to their pay.
Outside of these hours we will operate an Emergency Duty Service that will be operated by the social workers within the team. The team will cover up to 3 on‑call shifts per month and receive an on‑call rate as per the Plymouth Book. Our Emergency Duty Service provides an emergency response to those children, adults or people at risk of homelessness that need an immediate response; all other contact will be triaged by a Call Centre and responded to the following day.
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. You will be joining a supportive team in a service with a commitment to ‘High Expectations, High Support and High Challenge’. 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 & employee wellbeing services.
* Discounts, salary sacrifice schemes, and more via iCHOOSE.
* Relocation Package up to £8,000.
Living and Working in Plymouth
Choosing where you live and work matters. Plymouth offers:
* 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.
We are proud to offer a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants who meet essential criteria and are disabled, care‑experienced, or Armed Forces Service Leavers (within the last two years).
As an inclusive employer, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve. If you need any reasonable adjustments, please just let us know.
The Disclosure & Barring Service Check requirement for this post is: Enhanced Check + DBS Children’s & Adult’s Barred List.
If you would like a conversation, please email abrightfuture@plymouth.gov.uk
Closing Date: Sunday 15 March 2026
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