Building Bridges is a well-established service, with a committed and successful team working determinedly and skillfully to create stability and enable more children to live within their families.
Building Bridges is at the forefront of delivering the council’s ‘Building for Brilliance’ strategy, including key priorities such as:
1. Maintaining children aged 7+ within their families.
2. Increasing placement stability within internal foster placements or kinship carers.
3. Supporting reunifications for children living in residential care.
4. Supporting 'Edge of Care' work across Children’s Services.
About You
We are looking for a Family Practitioner (Grade 8) or a Social Worker (Grade 9) with experience in Children’s and Adult’s Social Care. Building Bridges uses models such as NVR (Non-Violent Resistance), PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy), and DDP (Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy). Experience in these approaches would be advantageous but is not essential.
Southampton faces high levels of complex issues, and this area of work has high demand. We need practitioners who are quick to find solutions to complex difficulties, calm, supportive, containing, and positive—those who can give young people, families, and colleagues hope and aspiration.
Are you this inspirational and motivational person? If so, why not join the Southampton family?
We are a systemic team that trains in systemic practice. Our practice development is among the best in the country. We are supportive, restorative, flexible, and foster a positive, healthy work environment that values fun and enjoyment outside of high-pressure work.
What We Can Offer You
Salary: The salary band for Unqualified Social Worker/Family Practitioner is £36,124 - £39,513, with a starting salary of £36,124 and annual progression. The salary band for Qualified Social Worker is £40,476 - £44,710, with a starting salary of £40,476 and annual progression.
We offer various perks and benefits, including:
* Death in service benefit of 3x salary, optional salary sacrifice AVC
* Generous holiday entitlement (25–31 days, depending on role and service)
* Flexible working options (role-dependent)
* Family-friendly policies: Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents
* Training, coaching, and mentoring opportunities
* Health and wellbeing support: Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders, staff networks
* Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant
* Retail discounts via the Southampton City Council benefits platform
* Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres
* Sustainable travel benefits: low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans
* Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days off annually
Contact Details for Informal Discussion
For more information on our benefits, please visit our website. For further discussion, contact Steph Rhodes (Building Bridges Team Manager).
Interview Information
Please note that interviews are scheduled for Wednesday, 20th August 2025.
Contact: Tel: 023 8083 4033
For more information about SCC, please visit our website. Follow us on social media for updates on jobs and news.
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