Experienced Social Worker

Overview

Final date to receive applications: 6 February 2026

Department: Childrens Services

Location: Torbay Council

Compensation: £39,152 - £46,142 / year

Description

Torbay Council is seeking dedicated and experienced Social Workers to join our Breathing Space Team. Breathing Space is an innovative service within Torbay. The service supports reducing the number of children who need to become cared for by ensuring access to support and services for parents. The support we offer is parent-led and we encourage autonomy and self-determination through a relationship-based approach, underpinned by trauma-informed practice.

Our aim is to support parents to rebuild their lives and to reach their individual potential.

You must have experience in working with vulnerable children and adults who have experienced both relational and event-based trauma. You will be responsible for undertaking holistic assessments and interventions. You will work collaboratively with families, carers, and professionals to achieve positive outcomes and to maintain accurate and timely case records using our electronic case management system. Therefore, you will be a confident therapeutic practitioner, have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and be committed to trauma-informed and relationship-based practice.

• Working directly with birth parents to assess, develop and deliver bespoke intervention plans.
• Lead on holistic approaches that reduce risk and promote resilience.
• Champion restorative practice, building strong relationships that empower birth parents to make sustainable changes.

• Have a strong background in working with children and families, especially those with complex needs or who have experienced trauma.
• Are confident in managing challenging situations and delivering high-quality, evidence-based interventions.
• Understand the challenges faced by hard-to-reach groups.

Additional information

This position is for a fixed term until 31st August 2026.

This post will be carrying out Regulated Activity. As such the post will require an Enhanced Criminal Record Check plus an additional Barred List Check. The check will reveal any spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions (which have not been filtered), any local Police information and a check of either the Adult, Child or Adult and Child Barred Lists.

If you are viewing this advert on a job board, you can access the full job description by placing the below URL into your browser:

For an informal chat please contact Lisa Pitcher on  or

Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 9th February 2026.

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Our adverts do sometimes close early - even where there's a published deadline - so if you're keen, please apply as soon as possible.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Able to convey respect for others.
• Ability to demonstrate skills in mediation, negotiation and problem solving.
• Able to assess situations with clarity and sensitivity and act professionally in crisis situations.
• Ability to work in an open and challenging way with families.

This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

• Good understanding of the full range of activities delivered by the Authority and partners in relation to children, young people and families.
• Has a developed knowledge of Social Care policies and procedures, and makes themselves continually aware of new Child Care legislation and National Guidance.
• Awareness of effective management practices.
• Thorough understanding of current legislation and guidance and developments in services to children young people and families.
• Demonstrates an advanced and detailed knowledge of child development, attachment theory, anti-discriminatory practice, the framework for assessment of children in need and their families, social work theory and methods.

• Social Work degree qualification, e.g., Dip SW, CQSW, CSS or equivalent.
• Membership of Social Work England.
• Commitment to continued professional development.
• Significant post qualification experience of working with children and families in the context of current legislation and government initiatives.
• Significant post qualification experience of working in a local authority setting.