Social Worker

Full Time, Permanent
An exciting opportunity has arisen for 3 social workers to join the Through Care Service.
The Through Care Service supports children and young people aged 0-25 and their families, through their journey in care and as care leavers.
We are a service of 10 teams, three have a focus on care leavers, the remainder on children in care, which includes two specialist teams for children aged 16 and 17 and for children arriving unaccompanied in the UK. The children in care teams have a practice lead, six social workers, a family support worker and a unit coordinator.
We are based at B Bond in an open plan office overlooking the river and Ashton Court. We have high aspirations for our children and young people and are committed to providing services to achieve the best possible outcomes.
You will work with around 19 children in a co-productive approach with the children, professionals, families and carers to support them to have the best opportunities.
You will keep up to date records which will help your children understand their journey into and through care.
You will ensure that they have the networks to support them during childhood and into adulthood and write care and pathway plans that are aspirational and meet need in a timely way.
You will work with children who are being cared for in foster homes (including kinship), children’s homes and children in semi-independent accommodation (children live mostly in and around Bristol, but also further afield).
The work can be reactive and fast paced and you will need to be trauma informed and creative in response.
The role is diverse, and you will need the ability to work on your own, support the multi-agency network to hold risk, chair meetings relating to your children and have the skills to challenge constructively.
We will support you through the career progression pathway and you will have opportunities to become involved in projects and areas of interest to support this.
In Through Care we recognise the importance of the child’s whole network in building security and safety. We believe coming into care is an extension of the network our children already have, and a large piece of our work is to support and maintain this.
We are creative in our approach to be certain we meet the needs of our children.
Our practice is underpinned by signs of safety and we encourage a systemic and reflective approach.
‘you cannot underestimate how important you [social worker] are to a child in care and the difference you can really make’ ‘it is an absolute privilege to be involved in the life of a child a care and walk with them on their care journey’.
If you share this passion and commitment, we would love to hear from you. We are particularly looking for social workers who enjoy working with our 16 and 17 year olds, supporting them through that tricky transition and into adulthood.
Please note that this role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.
Why Bristol City Council?
At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high-profile organisation. For the majority of our roles hybrid working arrangements are available, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice - mixing both home and office working.
Join us and you’ll receive an excellent rewards package including flexible working and flexitime, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you’ll be working in a supportive environment where you’ll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.
How do I apply?
If you share our values and are ready to be part of our exciting journey please select the apply button below.
To be shortlisted for interview you’ll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification within the Further Information section of your application. On occasion we will receive high numbers of applications, we may then shortlist against the desirable criteria along with the essential criteria, so if you can, please demonstrate how you meet this in your application.
It is Bristol City Council’s practice to request references for candidates that have been offered a job. However, if you are applying for a job that requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check then we will request your references once you have been invited to an interview.
If you would like to discuss the role further please contact practice leads Gabriel Collings Gabriel.collings@bristol.gov.uk or Craig Pendle craig.pendle@bristol.gov.uk
At Bristol City Council, we value having a workforce as diverse as the city we serve. We therefore welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit.