Social Worker Children Looked ; CLA Team

Position: Permanent Social Worker – Children Looked After (CLA) Team
Location: Southend-on-Sea

Southend City Council | Permanent | Full Time
Salary: £39,152 – £45,091 + £7,500 Long Service Incentive

🌟 About the Role

Southend City Council is looking for qualified Social Workers to join their Children Looked After (CLA) Team, recently rated “Good” by Ofsted (2024). The CLA team works with children after care proceedings have concluded, supporting them to thrive in safe, stable, and loving placements.

This specialist role includes:

* Managing a caseload of 16–18 children, delivering statutory social work support

* Preparing care plans, statements, and reports for care proceedings, adoption orders, contact disputes, and revocation of care orders

* Working collaboratively with carers, families, and partner agencies to meet children’s individual needs

* Applying Restorative Practice and relationship-based approaches to support children’s wellbeing

* Ensuring statutory requirements, council policies, and best practice guidance are met

This is a great opportunity to make a real difference in children’s lives while working in a supportive environment that values learning and professional development.

👤 About You

The ideal candidate will have:

* A recognised Social Work qualification and Social Work England registration

* Completion of ASYE (or equivalent experience)

* Experience in Children’s Frontline services, including Child Protection, Looked After Children, and Child in Need cases

* Knowledge of statutory social work practice and legal frameworks

* Excellent communication, assessment, and report-writing skills

* Commitment to working collaboratively with children, families, and colleagues

🎁 Benefits

* One-off £7,500 incentive after 3 years and 1 day in post

* Hybrid working opportunities – 2 days per week onsite at the Civic Centre

* 25 days annual leave, increasing with service

* Comprehensive training and professional development opportunities

* Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance

* Supportive, child-focused environment with restorative supervision and career growth

📩 Apply Now

If you are a passionate Social Worker looking to make a real impact on children in care, we want to hear from you. Apply today to join Southend City Council’s CLA team and help create a future where all children achieve success