social_careCloses in 14 days

Social Worker - Children Looked After

Devon County Council

ExeterView on map(opens Google Maps in a new tab)

Salary

£41,177 to £48,738

Contract

Permanent

Hours

Full time

Closing date

1 November 2026

14 days left

Job description

We are looking for Social Workers with a passion for making positive changes to join our Children Looked After (CLA) Team covering Exeter & East Devon.

We believe that home is where the heart is - and for most children, that means staying with their families, supported by strong, local networks and place-based support. When long-term care is needed, we work hard to deliver permanence from day one, our dedicated CLA team implement restorative practice and relational ways of working, to support children in building lifelong connections with their families and communities.

As a Social Worker within Children Looked After you will be supported by a stable, knowledgeable and experienced management team.

Leading by example you will

Model high standards of professional working
Handle a varied caseload with a focus on long-term positive change
Deliver high-quality assessments that shape children’s futures
Work collaboratively across agencies to ensure the best outcomes

This is your chance to be part of something meaningful - to change lives, build futures, and help develop a brighter tomorrow for Devon’s Children in Care.

Please visit our Promise to Children in Care page. It offers a clear and heartfelt insight into who we are and what we stand for as corporate parents, and outlines what our children want from you! The Promise - Stand Up Speak Up - Stand Up Speak Up

Click here to see the Job Description

This is a fast-paced, high-impact role where your creativity, resilience, and compassion will help promote long-term, positive change.

Driven by purpose, your skills and experience will include:

A recognised social work qualification & SWE registration
Completion of your ASYE
Experience in multi-agency and court settings
Strong communication and relationship-building skills
A deep understanding of children’s social work legislation and theory
A commitment to putting children at the heart of everything you do

To find out more about working in our Children Looked After team - Exeter & East, or for further information on the role, please contact Team Manager Danni Arrowsmith (Danielle.Arrowsmith@devon.gov.uk) for a friendly, informal chat.

The closing date for this vacancy is 1November 2026. Apply early to avoid disappointment - the vacancy may close before this date if a sufficient number of applications are submitted.

This role is currently eligible for a retention payment of £2,000 per annum pro rata (terms & conditions apply).

In addition to this we are also offering a £5,000Welcome Payment to eligible new permanent recruits joining the Exeter & East Devon locality. You will receive this payment in full within your first or second salary of joining us. Please note this payment is pro-rata for part-time staff and subject to standard deductions.

We are proud to welcome applications from internationally trained and qualified professionals who are now based in the UK and eager to bring their expertise to our team. For the right candidates, we can offer visa sponsorship to support your journey.

In return for the vital contribution that you make, we have some fantastic employee benefits available, including:

Generous annual leave, & the ability to purchase additional annual leave.
Free onsite parking.
Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee well-being services.
We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
Discounts at over 900 national & local high street retailers through our benefits platform.
Cycle to work scheme.
Electric Vehicle salary sacrifice scheme.

DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages.
The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice.
Happy to Talk Flexible Working.
For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page.
This role requires a DBS disclosure.

Click here to see the Job Description