Children's Social Workers - Level 2​/Children and Families First Team

Overview

Social Workers (Level 2 &
3) – Children and Families First Teams
Location: Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP), Dorset
Salary: Competitive + Local Government Pension + Potential Relocation Scheme
Contract: Full-time & Part-Time, Permanent

Safeguarding is everyone’s business. While initial risk assessments take place in the Assessment Service, our Children and Families First teams provide longer-term intervention for families where level 4 support is needed to reduce risk and achieve positive change.

You’ll work with families where children have been assessed as being in need or at risk of harm. This includes supporting children subject to child in need and child protection plans, and in some cases, children at the early stages of being looked after.

Our teams use a restorative practice framework and a range of interventions to address and reduce risk. Key areas of focus include co-production, safety planning, strong relationships with children, early permanence planning, and legal interventions where children are not considered safe in their family.

There are 6 Children and Families First teams
, each consisting of a Team Manager, Assistant Team Manager, 7 Social Workers, and a Family Support Practitioner. All statutory teams are co-located at the Civic Centre, Bournemouth, but work flexibly across the BCP area.

• Significant experience in frontline safeguarding social work
• Ability to manage complex referrals and casework
• Strong analytical, decision-making, and conflict resolution skills
• Experience mentoring less experienced staff or students
• Commitment to continuous professional development
• Willingness to undertake Practice Education training if not already qualified

You'll also need to be able to travel across the BCP area.

• Full induction & Practice Fundamentals support
• Clear career progression & excellent learning opportunities
• Manageable caseloads & regular supervision
• 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• Flexible working arrangements in refurbished offices
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Relocation Scheme
• Staff network groups

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 Vanessa Johns, Service Manager for Children and Families First and PLO & Court at van
.

Visit our BCP Partnership Academy website for more details.

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 £42,839–£53,460 (pro rata for part-time colleagues).

The Recruitment & Retention Supplement for this role may be up to £3,249 per annum (pro rata for part-time colleagues). Recruitment and Retention Supplements are in addition to the base salary. They are temporary and awarded solely at the discretion of BCP Council, which will be replaced by policy being introduced on 1 December 2025.

BCP 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 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, world-class, inclusive place for generations to come.

• Check out our attractive enhanced benefits and find out more about the new Pay and Reward package on our employee benefits page

BCP 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.