Front Door Social Worker

Are you an experienced practitioner looking for high autonomy and a meaningful impact without the burden of caseholding? If you're passionate about making decisions and supporting families, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Why join us?

• autonomy and impact: Work independently with significant responsibility, contributing to decision-making and providing crucial support to families
• flexibility: enjoy a 14-week cycle with 9.25 hour shifts over 4 days, with occasional on-call duties rewarded with a standby rate. Split your time between our office in Wareham and working from home
• recognition: this role is recognised through a higher salary than our standard social work positions and is ideal for experienced social workers

What you will be doing:

As a Consultant Social Worker at our Front Door (Children’s Advice and Duty Service - ChAD), you'll join a supportive, forward-thinking team dedicated to keeping children safe at home whenever possible. You'll engage in varied, exciting challenges working closely with children, families, and partners.

Key Responsibilities:

• decision making: engage in vital decisions affecting children's lives without the need for caseholding.
• family support: work to support families in meeting the needs of their children.
• collaboration: work closely with Family Help, MASH, and other partners.
• innovation: be part of the Families First for Children Pathfinder, a nationally recognised initiative, receiving central government support.

About you:

• qualifications: Diploma/Degree/MA in Social Work and registration with Social Work England.
• experience: ideally a minimum of 4 years post-qualifying experience in Children's Services.
• skills: ability to work flexibly, remain calm under pressure, and support colleagues and partner agencies.
• mindset: commitment to a positive learning culture and innovative approaches to social care.

Be part of an exceptional team recognised as "Good with Outstanding Leadership" by Ofsted. Make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families in Dorset. Apply now and help shape the future of social care.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact one of our ChAD Managers:

• Jonnie Daniels – 01305 225833
• Rachel Gauntlett – 01305 225821
• Jane Gillett – 01305 225820

This post involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults and/or having access to significant information about them. It will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check. See our policy on the employment of ex-offenders.

• See our policy on safeguarding children and young people.
• See our adult safeguarding policy.
• See the children’s social worker framework. 

You must:

• have a degree in social work
• be registered with Social Work England (SWE)
• have the right to work in the UK
• be able to fulfil the travel requirements of the post

Friends & Family Referral Scheme

The friends and family referral scheme applies to this post. If an employee recommended this post to you, please make sure to mention them when applying.

Employees can share this advert by using the button links alongside the job title.

Relocation expenses package

A generous relocation package is payable, of which up to £8,000 (of HMRC eligible elements) are free of tax. We can offer you help to move whether you are looking to buy or rent, depending on your circumstances.

Our package includes:

• an initial advance of up to £2,500 payable when you start
• help towards fees associated with buying/selling (up to £6,500)
• an option to receive help towards your rent or mortgage in the first two years

We’re passionate about making Dorset a great place to live, work and visit. Working for us should be no exception.

At Dorset Council we:

• provide more than 450 services to over 300,000 residents
• have ambitious aspirations
• are excited about our future
• care about Dorset and all the people who live here
• know that all roles make a difference and that our employees are key to our success

You will:

• have access to a range of employee benefits
• be part of an organisation that supports each other to grow and succeed
• have access to range of training opportunities which will help with your personal development and career progression

We are challenging ourselves to become a more diverse and inclusive organisation. We recognise that recruitment and inclusion of individuals with diverse skills, perspectives and backgrounds will bring real strength to the council and our communities. We have a commitment to equality and welcome applications from everyone.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We offer an interview to everyone who declares a disability and meets the essential criteria for the role.

We are keen to make our interviews accessible. Let us know on your job application if you have a disability and need any reasonable adjustments.

We also look for applicants who share our commitment to our behaviours. We will ask you to evidence when you have demonstrated them as part of the selection process.