Location: Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP), Dorset
Salary: Competitive + Local Government Pension + Potential Relocation Scheme
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Make a real difference in children’s lives. Join us at BCP Council.
We’re proud to have achieved a GOOD Ofsted rating (Dec 2024), and we’re on an exciting improvement journey. Now, we’re looking for experienced, passionate Social Workers to join our Children and Families First Teams and help us deliver outstanding care and support to the children and families who need us most.
Job Introduction
We are looking for an experienced and motivated individual who can lead with confidence, work collaboratively, and contribute to the continued development of the service. The successful candidate will manage a varied portfolio including oversight of assessments, support, and specialist areas of work across the fostering service. You will work closely with colleagues and partners to ensure robust, creative and effective responses to the needs of children and foster carers. You will play a key role in maintaining strong practice oversight, ensuring high standards of safeguarding, and supporting carers to provide stable, nurturing environments for children. You will be part of a cohesive and supportive management team, working collectively to deliver a consistent and high-quality offer to our foster carers. You will need to be a registered social worker with Social Work England and have significant post qualifying experience working with children and families in the statutory sector.
Key Experience and Skills
* Experienced manager with a strong track record in fostering and a sound understanding of the needs of children in care
* Ability to manage a varied portfolio, including assessment, support and specialist areas
* Demonstrates strong safeguarding oversight and confident decision‑making
* Works collaboratively with colleagues, internal teams and wider partners
* Delivers effective operational oversight while supporting reflective, strengths‑based social work
* Highly organised, with the ability to prioritise and manage competing demands under pressure
* Confident operating in fast‑paced, high‑challenge environments
* Committed to supporting the wellbeing, performance and development of teams
What We Can Offer You
* Full induction, with a very supportive Practice Fundamentals offer
* Regular Supervision
* 28 days annual leave (pro rata, for those without continuous service), plus bank holidays
* Competitive salary with access to local government pension scheme
* Flexible working arrangements in our newly refurbished Civic Offices with Local Offices near to where you need to work
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Relocation Scheme
* Staff network groups
About BCP
BCP is the tenth‑largest urban local authority in England, offering a vibrant community, outstanding quality of life, excellent transport links and proximity to the airport.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
At BCP Council, inclusion is more than a promise – it’s how we work. We’re committed to providing a fully inclusive recruitment process ensuring every candidate and colleague has the support and reasonable adjustments they need to thrive.
We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and we always endeavour to make your experience positive and accessible.
Safeguarding and Legal Requirements
BCP Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the community and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Applicants will be required to complete the appropriate level of Disclosure & Barring Service Check.
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