Social Worker – Family Help

Job Description

Are you excited to play a key role in the exciting changes coming to Early Help and Children’s Social Care services? This position is located in Eastbourne and forms part of the Family Help Pilot – the initial phase of wider Family Help reforms aimed at delivering more joined-up, strengths-based support for families.

Join a fresh, energetic team that’s blending early intervention with statutory social work to provide comprehensive services for children and families. We’re searching for a skilled, imaginative, and inquisitive Social Worker who thrives in a collaborative environment. You will partner closely with both social work and keywork professionals, sharing insights and best practices every day. Supervision comes from a dedicated Social Work Practice Manager, working side-by-side with an Early Help Practice Manager to ensure strong guidance and integrated working.

This is more than a standard role – you’ll actively help evaluate the pilot, offering your input to refine and develop future Family Help services and help define what this blended approach looks like long-term.

We are looking for someone who brings:

• Proven hands-on experience supporting children, young people, and their families.
• A solid track record of carrying out thorough assessments that lead to meaningful, achievable plans.
• Strong understanding of the legal and policy frameworks that guide and govern social work.
• The ability to connect authentically with people using creativity, empathy, and appropriate authority to navigate resistance, foster trust, communicate clearly, and uphold clear professional boundaries even in tough, emotionally charged circumstances.

Applying is straightforward  we have kept it simple to save you time. Just hit the Apply Now button and submit your CV along with a short Supporting Statement. In your statement, focus on these key points:

• Your direct experience working with children and young people.
• Your approach to communication and building relationships.
• Examples of how you’ve put theory or research into real-world practice.

Keep it concise, genuine, and include a couple of specific examples  that’s what works best!

For tips on crafting a strong application, check our How to Apply page and our guidance on the use of AI in applications.

Download the full Job Description and Person Specification for complete details.

Interviews will be held face-to-face in Eastbourne, usually within two weeks of the closing date. At interview, we’ll explore:

• Your experience supporting children and young people.
• Your communication style and skills.
• How you apply research, theory, or evidence-based approaches in your day-to-day work.
• Your leadership strengths as a social worker.

We operate a priority shortlisting process for candidates who meet specific criteria – see our Priority Status page for more information.

Our outstanding social work education and development team is committed to helping you grow professionally, both in this role and throughout your career.

We provide a wide range of employee benefits to support your wellbeing and work-life balance. Full details are available on our Benefits page.

For an informal chat about the role, feel free to contact Nina Macquire at Nina.macquire@eastsussex.gov.uk or Debra Schmidt at Debra.schmidt@eastsussex.gov.uk.

East Sussex is a really supportive employer. The flexible working options make such a difference when juggling childcare or other caring responsibilities. Charlotte, Social Worker

Please note: The advertised salary includes a temporary market supplement (subject to review in July 2026). You can view the core salary scale on our Salary Scales page.

Flexible working? East Sussex makes it easy.

Additional Information

This position requires an Enhanced DBS check (or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity). For details on the process, visit https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record. If you’ve lived or worked overseas, we’ll also need evidence of an overseas police check.

If the role is part-time or term-time only, the salary will be pro-rated accordingly.

If you need sponsorship to work in the UK, please mention this in your application so we can assess eligibility. More information is available at https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas.

Should you need any reasonable adjustments due to a disability to participate fully in the recruitment process, please reach out to the hiring manager using the contact details above.