Children's Social Workers - Level 2/3 - Assessment Team

Job IntroductionSocial Workers (Level 2 & 3) – Assessment TeamsLocation: Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP), DorsetSalary: Competitive + Local Government Pension + Potential Relocation SchemeContract: Full-time & Part-Time, PermanentMake 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 Assessment Teams and help us deliver outstanding care and support to the children and families who need us most.Why BCP?Our workforce says it best:“Career progression is encouraged within BCP – it’s a rewarding job and something I absolutely love.”“It’s a lovely place to live and work. Dorset is a wonderful county, and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are vibrant, busy urban areas right on the sea front.”“I’ve never felt so supported.”Check out this video: A day in the life of three social workers at BCP Council on VimeoAbout the RoleAs part of one of our four Assessment Teams, you’ll play a vital role in gaining a clear understanding of a child’s circumstances and developing plans that make a positive difference. Good assessment work is the foundation of a strong children’s service, and your expertise will help us deliver exactly that.You’ll undertake initial single assessments within statutory timescales and continuous assessments from referral through to case closure. You’ll also facilitate family network meetings to bring support networks together. Work from this team will either close, step down, or transfer to another team at an agreed time. Social workers sit in four pods with a four-weekly turnaround (the 20-day time limit on assessments).What We’re Looking ForSignificant experience in frontline safeguarding social workAbility to manage complex referrals and caseworkStrong analytical, decision-making, and conflict resolution skillsExperience mentoring less experienced staff or studentsCommitment to continuous professional developmentWillingness to undertake Practice Education training if not already qualifiedYou’ll also need to be able to travel across the BCP area.What We OfferFull induction & Practice Fundamentals supportClear career progression & excellent learning opportunitiesManageable caseloads & regular supervision28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)Flexible working arrangements in refurbished officesEmployee Assistance ProgrammeRelocation SchemeStaff network groupsReady to Join Us?If you’re reflective, proactive, resilient, and passionate about putting children’s voices at the heart of everything you do, we’d love to hear from you.Find out more about our new terms and conditions in our 'More than just a job' brochure on our careers site.For an informal discussion, contact Nigel Burton, Service Manager for Assessment at nigel.burton@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.Apply today and help us make a difference.Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK. The pay range for this role will be £44,075–£53,460 (pro rata for part-time colleagues).We’re looking forward to welcoming new colleagues under this refreshed framework of pay, terms, and conditions. To promote fairness and consistency, all new starters will begin at the bottom of the pay band. This reflects our commitment to equity across the organisation and aligns with the approach taken with existing staff during the transition. While the starting salary is fixed, the role offers excellent scope for growth, meaningful contribution, and being part of a forward-thinking team.About BCP CouncilBCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, word-class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.Our Benefits A Place to Thrive – Join BCP Council At BCP Council, we’re not just building a workforce— we’re transforming how we recognise and reward our people. Check out our attractive enhanced benefits and find out more about the new Pay and Reward package at (Employee benefits | Working for BCP link to careers page) Be the difference - Join an organisation that values you More About us | Working for BCP DBSBCP Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the community and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Applicants to this post will be required to complete the appropriate level of Disclosure & Barring Service Check. Please refer to the Job Description or Role Profile for more details.