Social Work in Cornwall
Make a difference – Children’s Social Work in Cornwall
“Senior leaders and politicians are relentless in their drive to continue to improve the lives of Cornwall’s children and families.”
Job Description
Staff’s care, commitment and child focused approach shine through when they talk about their work. This positive working environment helps to foster a culture in which an enthusiasm and commitment to do the best for children is found at all levels in the organisation.
Ofsted, July 2024
The Service & Team
Are you an experienced and passionate social worker looking for a unique opportunity to work in a specialist, high‑performing service? Our Parent Assess Team is growing as part of Cornwall Council’s commitment to delivering robust, evidence‑based parenting assessments across the county.
This is an exciting time to join us as we expand the Parent Assess Team to strengthen our in‑house assessment offer and reduce reliance on external providers. You’ll be part of a supportive, skilled, and forward‑thinking service that plays a critical role in supporting children and families at key points in their journey.
About The Role
You will:
* Carry out structured, analytical parenting assessments within a 12‑week model.
* Work closely with families, legal representatives, and multi‑agency partners.
* Produce high‑quality, evidence‑based reports that support court proceedings and decision‑making.
* Contribute to a service recognised for its consistency, timeliness, and gold‑standard assessment approach.
What We Offer
* Structured training in the ParentAssess® model
* Regular reflective supervision
* Flexible working arrangements
* Strong managerial support
* Opportunities for career development within a growing specialist service
Why join the Parent Assess Team?
* Non–case-holding role: Focus solely on delivering high‑quality, structured parenting assessments using the nationally recognised ParentAssess® model.
* Training provided: While Parent Assess qualification is ideal, full training can be provided for the right experienced social worker.
* High‑performing, stable authority: Work within a council known for strong practice standards and clear strategic vision for children’s services.
* Professional growth: Be part of a specialised, developing service with opportunities to shape practice and contribute to continual improvements.
* Supportive team culture: Join a motivated team with dedicated team days, reflective practice, and a commitment to quality and consistency.
This is a public/customer-facing role, where the statutory English language requirement for public sector workers applies.
This position will be subject to an enhanced criminal record disclosure check.
Find out more about our social work careers here - Work in Adults or Children's Social Care - Cornwall Council .
Working Pattern
Permanent full time 37 hours/week, flexibility required to meet parental need and flexible working by arrangement. Flexibility to travel across Cornwall is required.
What You’ll Need To Succeed
You will be a social worker registered with Social Work England who will have:
* Experience in completing parenting assessments, or complex assessments under the PLO or court proceedings (Parent Assess training can be offered to the right applicants).
* Experienced in children’s safeguarding, assessment, or court work.
* Strong analytical, relational, and communication skills.
* Confident working autonomously while being part of a supportive team.
* Committed to continuous learning and delivering exceptional outcomes for children.
* Proven track record of excellent practice that improves the lives of children.
* High‑level written and verbal communication skills to build effective professional relationships with families and other professionals.
* Knowledge and understanding of the legislation, models and theories relevant to children’s social work, and the ability to evidence how you have applied your learning to your practice.
* The skills to undertake assessments and to use evidence‑based practice tools to devise, implement and review care plans.
Please note: If you have qualified as a Social Worker within the last 2 years, but not completed your Assessed and Supported Year of Employment (ASYE) we would welcome your application as a Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW) in order to access Cornwall’s ASYE programme which runs twice yearly. You would need to apply for our NQSW adverts which are advertised separately. We are also able to consider experienced social workers who have taken a career break of between two and ten years, where their SWE registration has expired. For this route, please contact PSWpracticeeducation@cornwall.gov.uk.
Please read the role profile for the full details of this role attached below in this advert.
What You’ll Get In Return
Cornwall Council’s ambition is to be an employer of choice, a high performing Council and a learning organisation. We commit to providing a reward and benefits package to attract, motivate and reward our employees. We offer a range of flexible working options to our staff.
* Welcome bonus of £4,000 for qualified Social Workers who are new to social work in Cornwall and have completed their ASYE.
* £3,000 Annual Market Supplement for Advanced Practitioners.
* A generous relocation package.
* An individualised induction to meet your specific needs and learning.
* An excellent core curriculum to support your ongoing development with a high‑quality programme of evidence-based learning and development to enhance skills and practice.
* An outstanding career and qualification pathway, recognised by Ofsted as a foundation of Cornwall’s good practice, which will support your progression.
* Support from our dedicated Practice Educators throughout your progression pathway.
* Regular, high-quality case and reflective supervision.
* Supportive management and leadership.
* Support to access temporary accommodation if moving from outside of Cornwall.
* Access to a Cornwall Council lease car.
* 26 days paid annual leave per year (rising with length of service), plus bank holidays.
* Flexible working opportunities.
* A license to access Community Care Inform and Research in Practice.
* Payment of your Social Work England registration fees.
* A competitive starting salary and the opportunity to increase your pay further as you progress.
Additional Information
Cornwall Council is unable to offer visa sponsorship or transfer existing sponsorship for this role.
Role Profile
Experienced Social Worker
Advanced Social Worker
We recommend saving a copy of this to refer to if you are invited to an interview.
Application Process
Please attach a supporting statement to your application, you can add your Education & Qualifications details manually using the application form timeline or you can upload your CV. Remember to demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points marked as ‘Application’ on the Role Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had. Guidance on how to complete your application can be found here – The application process.
Please note that applications cannot be edited after they have been submitted, so please contact careers@cornwall.gov.uk if you have any queries or require assistance with your application.
Existing employees must apply using their Cornwall Council email address through the Opportunity Marketplace on Oracle.
About Us
Cornwall Council deliver services to more than half a million local people and over five million visitors a year. Working here - Cornwall Council.
We are happy to talk about flexible working options such as part‑time or compressed hours. More examples of our flexible working opportunities can be found here - flexible working options.
Fairness and inclusion are at the heart of our vision for Cornwall. In order to best serve our communities, we are striving to achieve a diverse workforce that is inclusive of all backgrounds, cultures and identities; e.g., race, disability, sex, gender reassignment status, age, religion and sexual orientation. We are an equal opportunities and Disability Confident employer, and we will assess applicants on their merits.
Cornwall Council is committed to safeguarding and following safer recruitment principles to help make sure our staff and volunteers are suitable to work with children, young people and adults at risk. It’s a vital part of creating a safe and positive environment and making a commitment to keeping all service users safe from harm.
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