Family help social worker

Outstanding Children’s Services | Leading Families First Practice

If you want to practise social work where relationships come before process, Dorset offers that environment.

Dorset Council is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, with inspectors recognising strong and stable leadership, a confident workforce and children receiving timely help that makes a meaningful difference.

Practitioners told Ofsted they feel valued, supervision is reflective and leaders understand frontline practice.

We helped shape the national Families First model and are now fully embedding this approach across our services. For you, that means clearer pathways for families, fewer hand‑offs and strong multi‑agency safeguarding built into the structure of our teams.

This is social work focused on impact, not unnecessary bureaucracy.

Roles & responsibilities

As a Family Help Social Worker, you will work across the continuum of need, including:

• Targeted early help
• Child in Need
• Child Protection
• Pre‑proceedings and court work where required

You will be part of an integrated locality team, working alongside our Multi‑Agency Child Protection Team and Lead Child Protection Practitioners to ensure children are safeguarded while families are supported to create sustainable change.

Our Safeguarding Families Together teams are embedded in every locality. Domestic abuse, mental health, substance misuse and perpetrator specialists work alongside social workers to strengthen plans and reduce risk. You will work closely with trusted colleagues across disciplines to provide the right support at the right time, responding to the different needs of children and families in a joined‑up and practical way.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver assessments that lead to clear and measurable change
• Ensure children’s lived experience shapes analysis and planning
• Build purposeful relationships with families
• Work restoratively and provide constructive challenge when required
• Prepare high‑quality reports for court
• Contribute to multi‑agency decision making that progresses plans
• Engage in reflective supervision and continuous development

Qualifications & experience

• You hold a recognised social work qualification and are registered with Social Work England.
• If newly qualified, you will join our structured and well‑supported ASYE programme.
• If experienced, you demonstrate confident statutory practice, clear risk analysis, experience of child protection planning and court work, and the ability to balance support with professional challenge.
• Professional judgement is respected within a clear safeguarding framework. We are looking for practitioners who are thoughtful, accountable and committed to improving outcomes for children.
• A driving licence and access to a vehicle are required due to the travel demands of the role.
• Flexible working will be considered.
• A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are available where there is demonstrable UK local authority experience.

Requirements

• Have a degree in social work, occupational therapy or equivalent.
• Have a valid drivers licence and access to a car.
• All social workers who qualified after September 2012 must undertake the assessed and supported year in employment (ASYE) and meet the expected standards during that period, unless they can prove they meet the professional capabilities framework standards.
• We provide visa sponsorship where required, subject to eligibility and Home Office requirements.

Why join Dorset

Children in Dorset benefit from stable relationships and consistent practitioners. Leaders are visible and approachable. Supervision is regular and reflective.

We invest in your progression, with a clear pathway from Level 1 through to Experienced Social Worker, Advanced Practitioner and Team Manager. Training includes restorative practice, motivational interviewing and specialist assessment development.

Localities

We operate across four localities:

• Chesil covering Weymouth and Portland
• East Dorset and Purbeck
• Dorchester and West Dorset
• North Dorset

Each locality has a strong team identity and close multi‑agency working, set within Dorset’s coastline, countryside and market towns. Please indicate your preferred locality in your application.

Benefits

We offer a generous relocation package, including:

• An initial advance of up to £2,500 payable when you start
• Help towards fees associated with buying/selling (up to £6,500)
• An option to receive help towards your rent or mortgage in the first two years

Additionally, you can receive up to £8,000 in relocation expenses (up to £8,000 HMRC‑eligible) free of tax. We can help you move whether you are looking to buy or rent, depending on your circumstances.

Compliance & Safeguarding

This post involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check. It also requires you to observe our safeguarding policies.

For more information, please contact our Principal Social Worker, Sarah‑Louise Clark at .