Social Worker Family Safeguarding Team ( Welcome Bonus £6000 )

Job Description

Social Worker – Family Safeguarding Team

Welcome Payment: £6,000 (one-off)
Retention Payment: 4% of annual salary after 2 years
(Subject to terms and conditions)

We are looking for a passionate and experienced Social Worker to join our Family Safeguarding Team—a service committed to making a lasting difference in the lives of children, young people and their families. This is an excellent opportunity to grow your professional practice in a supportive, forward-thinking environment where your skills truly matter.

If you’d like to get a feel for our team culture, you’re welcome to arrange an informal conversation or even visit our office before applying. Simply contact helen.gore@bracknell-forest.gov.uk.

Who We’re Looking For

You will be a qualified, HCPC-registered Social Worker with hands-on experience in areas such as Child in Need, Child Protection and Care Proceedings. Alongside strong assessment and report-writing skills, you will bring:

• A genuine commitment to protecting children and improving outcomes.
• Confidence managing complex caseloads.
• The ability to build meaningful, trusting relationships with children, families and partner agencies.
• Strong working knowledge of safeguarding legislation and statutory duties.
• Emotional resilience, professionalism and a reflective approach to practice.

Understanding and applying statutory guidance—such as Working Together to Safeguard Children—will be central to your role (see guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children–2).

Applicants who are exploring skilled work routes in the UK may also find this government resource helpful when considering sponsorship eligibility: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

About the Team

Our Family Safeguarding Team is a stable and well-established multi-agency service built around a collaborative and relationship-based model. You will work alongside specialists in domestic abuse, mental health and substance misuse, enabling families to stay together wherever it is safe.

The team focuses on longer-term interventions, managing Child in Need, Child Protection, Children Looked After and court proceedings following referrals from our front-door service. High support and high challenge are at the heart of our work, helping you deliver the very best for the families you support.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Develop clear, effective safeguarding plans to protect children from harm.
• Work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary environment.
• Manage a varied caseload, including CIN, CP, CLA and court work.
• Take part in the team duty rota and respond promptly to safeguarding concerns.
• Prioritise work effectively and meet all statutory deadlines.
• Participate in reflective supervision and set purposeful intervention goals.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date case records in line with GDPR and departmental standards.
• Contribute to service improvements and support colleagues’ learning.

What We Offer

• 28 days annual leave (rising to 33 days after 3 years) – with the option to buy or sell leave.
• Local Government Pension Scheme with life insurance.
• Paid employee volunteering opportunities.
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme (subject to eligibility).
• Social Work England registration reimbursed.
• Recognition of continuous service from NHS and UKHSA (conditions apply).
• Access to high-quality training and CPD opportunities.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme for your wellbeing.
• A friendly, inclusive workplace supported by active staff networks and a sports & social club.

Our Values

At Bracknell Forest Council, we live by our core values—inclusive, ambitious, and always learning. These values shape the way we work with colleagues, families and our community. If you’re committed to ongoing development and want to join a team that genuinely cares, we’d love to hear from you.

Support With Your Application

We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process. If you need reasonable adjustments at any stage, please contact recruitment@bracknell-forest.gov.uk and we will support you throughout.

Interview Information

Shortlisting happens weekly, with interviews scheduled at least seven days later. Interviews are held in person, giving you the chance to meet the team and experience our working environment.

Please note that AI tools are not permitted during the interview. Applications may close early if suitable candidates are identified, so early submission is recommended.

Contact Us

For questions or an informal discussion:

• Maggie Mandecka, Team Manager – Maggie.Mandecka@bracknell-forest.gov.uk
• Sharlie Horsted, Team Manager – Sharlie.Horsted@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

Additional Information

Bracknell Forest Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. All successful applicants will undergo a DBS check.

We can only accept applications from candidates currently living in the UK.
Candidates who require Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship should check their eligibility before applying, as sponsorship cannot be guaranteed and is reviewed case by case.

We welcome applications from all sections of the community.
No agencies please.