About the job

Key information

• 30 days annual leave with the option to purchase additional leave
• Permanent position
• We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.

What will I be doing?

We’re working to improve the lives of people in Somerset – and you’ll be a key part of that. Your day-to-day work will involve:

• Work with children and families to complete assessments to reflect individual circumstances including assessment of needs and risk, alongside strengths and protective factors, to develop meaningful plans to ensure that children are protected from significant harm and receive the appropriate multi-agency support.
• Responsible for a caseload of varying complexity, commensurate with experience, ability and qualification; receive and respond to referrals from various sources.
• Assess the needs of children and families under the appropriate statutory frameworks, liaising and working with partner agencies, and other Children’s Services teams, as required
• Participate in a duty rota responding to crisis situations and supporting children to remain safely within their families
• Enable and empower individuals’ families and carers to address issues which affect their health, financial, emotional and social wellbeing and to achieve and sustain positive change.

What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?

You will be passionate about relationship-based social work, proud of your profession, and able to reflect and think creatively about how you can build relationships to make a difference to children and families.

You will need to be a qualified social worker registered with Social Work England and have substantial experience working with children and families in social work.

What is in it for me?

We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, within a friendly and collaborative team who are passionate about the work that they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset. We offer great training and development opportunities, along with a very supportive permanent management team.

• Generous annual leave and flexible working options, including the option to work a 9 day fortnight, and hybrid working
• Local Government pension scheme
• Optional pension enhancement through our additional voluntary contribution scheme
• Employee assistance and support offering a variety of wellbeing services to support a healthy work/life balance and lifestyle
• A flexible benefits platform including cycle to work and health screening schemes
• ‘My staff shop’ which offers excellent discounts at a variety of retailers including; cinemas, restaurants, clothing stores and insurance providers
• Gym discounts
• Discounted lease car options via salary sacrifice, along with discounts on fuel
• Generous relocation allowance

DBS check

This post requires a criminal background check via the Disclosure procedure.

Supporting documents and information

The team for the South Somerset area is based in Yeovil, and we offer flexible hybrid working, combining time spent with the teams in the office along with home working. You will need to hold a full driving licence and have access to your own vehicle as travel is required.

Due to the importance of the role, we recommend applying as soon as possible. Depending on the level of response, we anticipate conducting interviews ahead of the closing date.

For an informal chat about roles within our assessment team, please contact Anna Miall Anna.Miall@somerset.gov.uk.

Apply on the Somerset Council website

Apply now