Social Worker; Families First Front Door

This is a great time to join us in Plymouth where exciting things are happening. We are developing Families First Partnership approaches with our partners to ensure children and families have the help and support they need to help them to be safe, happy and to thrive.

This is an exciting time to be part of something new and really help shape the future offer for children, young people and families in Plymouth. We have a variety of opportunities available for qualified social workers based on your passion and interest of work and will be looking to match you to the right teams.

Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK.

We welcome applications from qualified and experienced social workers who:

• Are committed to high‑quality practice and safeguarding.
• Value collaboration, honesty, and continuous learning.
• Are compassionate, curious, and action oriented.
• Want to be part of a team that supports each other and puts children, young people, and their families first.

We are at a crucial point in our implementation of the Families First Partnership programme of children’s social care reforms and are looking for Social Workers to be part of our Families First Front Door working alongside partner agencies.

• Respond to referrals requiring prompt professional intervention
• Safeguard children at risk of significant harm in line with the Children Act 1989
• Safeguard vulnerable adults in line with the Care Act 2014
• Undertake assessments of need and risk and make defensible decisions
• Lead or contribute to strategy discussions, safeguarding enquiries and court work
• Work closely with partner agencies to prevent needs escalating
• Maintain high‑quality recording and professional analysis

As a Social Worker in Plymouth, you will join a friendly, dedicated, talented and passionate team of social workers, family help practitioners, social work assistants and students who value getting things right for children and their families through our trauma‑informed, restorative and strengths‑based practice approach.

You will be at the heart of keeping children and young people safe, using creative family‑led approaches to help families stay together, and ensuring high‑quality protection, care and planning when it is needed.

The ’10 Wishes’ developed by our children and young people are embedded across our partnership as part of our commitment to listening to children’s voices and acting in response to what they tell us. You will be able to demonstrate evidence of your commitment to the voice of children and families.

Plymouth Is a City Of Ambition, Compassion, And Progress. Our Latest Ofsted Inspection (January 2024) Recognised Significant Progress And Highlighted Multiple Areas Of Strength

• Timely child protection work:
  Improved understanding of risk and early support prevents drift or delay.
• Strong relationships:
  Social workers know the children they work with, build trust, and advocate for them.
• Corporate parenting culture:
  Senior leaders and elected members are committed to looked‑after children and care leavers.
• Support for early career staff:
  Our ASYE programme and Children Services Learning Academy offers robust support and continued professional development throughout your career.
• Care leaver progress:
  Ofsted praised our ambition and support for care‑experienced young people aged 16–25.

In Plymouth, we take pride in being nationally leading and we are known for our proactive approach to improving outcomes. As early adopters of the DfE’s Early Career Framework, and partners in national research with Durham University for Contextual Safeguarding we don’t just respond to change; we help lead it.

The Families First Children’s Service provides a 24‑hour response to concerns for children and young people 7 days a week, 365 days a year and all staff in the team have training and experience in the support and safeguarding of children. Colleagues working in the Families First Children’s Service will work on a 4‑day rota cycle between the hours of

• 8am…