- Suffolk County Council - The Mix, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 1BB / Hybrid
- £42,367 - £45,595 per annum (pro rata for part time)
- Retention payment of up to £3,500 per annum (pro rata for part time)
- 37 hours per week, Flexible working options available
- Permanent
When you join the Central Child in Need Team as a Consultant Social Worker with Children and Young Peoples Services (CYP) we’ll support your development from the start. We’ll help you to play to your strengths, diversify your skills and build an influential and impactful career. With a variety of career paths and learning opportunities to explore, if you’re motivated and passionate there’s no limit to how far your ambition could take you.
Reimagine the possibilities.
We have a great opportunity for you to join Suffolk County Council's Child in Need team based at The Mix in Stowmarket.
You will form part of our management team and will:
- work alongside the Practice Manager in advising, supporting and supervising a team of Social Workers
- deputise for the Practice Manager
- confidently make management decisions regarding case work
- communicate effectively with a range of agencies
- be at the forefront of using the Signs of Safety (signsofsafety.net) development - this is the government-backed, national innovative, strengths-based, safety-organised approach to child protection casework. Having fully embedded this into our practice, this is one of the strongest attributes that our service has to offer and what all of our practitioners possess; this will enable you to become a part of a small, select and skilled group of practitioners working in the UK and across the world.
You will need:
- a relevant Social Work qualification
- a Social Work England registration (essential)
- substantial social work experience of working with children and families
- management and leadership qualification desirable.
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
The team
Responsibilities of the team include undertaking social work assessments, S47 investigations and supporting families where a child is in need or there is a child protection plan. The team work directly with children and families who present with a range of complex needs with intervention from pre-birth to eighteen years old.
There is an emphasis on trauma informed and relationship-based practice underpinned by Suffolk’s Signs of Safety + framework, alongside well embedded partnership working in the local community.
There are opportunities for training and career progression with a strong team and learning culture.
The team is very welcoming and led by an experienced, supportive manager
Empowering Everyone
We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report (suffolk.gov.uk).
For more information
Please contact Laura Goldsmith for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01449 745155 or emailing laura.goldsmith@suffolk.gov.uk.
How to apply
Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (docx)
Step 2 - Start your online application using “Apply Now”.
Step 3 - Upload a Supporting Statement (docx) indicating how you meet each of the criteria in the ‘Person Profile’ section of the Job and Person Profile.
For your supporting Statement, please use Arial font size 11 and keep your statement to a maximum of two sides of A4.
Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format. If you would like an adjustment to this process due to a disability, please contact us at 03456 014412 or recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk
We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We ask you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.
Closing date: 11.30 pm, 20 March 2025.
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid
As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.
In return, you’ll enjoy:
up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
diverse and active staff networks
flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
Plus lots more!
If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident .