Social Worker - PLO & Court

Children's Social Worker - Level 2 / 3 PLO & Court Team | South Coast Salary:

Level 2 - Band 10: Starting salary of £45,529

Level 3 - Band 11: Starting salary of £49,817

Pro rata for part-time colleagues.

Are you an experienced Children's Social Worker with a strong safeguarding background and the confidence to manage complex pre-proceedings and court-related work?

We're recruiting Children's Social Workers at Level 2 and Level 3 to join specialist PLO & Court Teams within a supportive local authority on the South Coast.

This is an opportunity to work with families where concerns for a child's safety may meet the threshold for legal action. You'll provide purposeful, analytical and relationship-based Social Work, helping families make sustainable changes wherever possible while ensuring timely and robust plans are made when children need protection.

The role

You’ll manage complex cases during the pre-proceedings stage, working closely with children, parents, wider family networks and partner agencies.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing complex safeguarding casework within the Public Law Outline process
• Undertaking high-quality assessments, risk analysis and care planning
• Working with families affected by domestic abuse, adult mental health needs and substance misuse
• Leading purposeful direct work with children and parents
• Preparing clear, evidence-based reports and recommendations for legal processes
• Working collaboratively with legal colleagues, Children in Care teams, adoption services and multi-agency partners
• Supporting timely permanency planning, including where children cannot safely remain at home
• Mentoring less experienced colleagues and students at Level 3
• Contributing to a reflective, supportive and high-performing team culture

About you

To be successful, you'll bring:

• Significant frontline safeguarding Social Work experience
• Confidence managing complex children's statutory casework
• Experience of, or a strong interest in, pre-proceedings and court work
• Excellent analytical skills and sound professional judgement
• The ability to build constructive working relationships while providing clear professional challenge
• Strong written communication skills, including report writing
• Resilience, organisation and the ability to manage competing priorities
• Experience mentoring colleagues or students, or willingness to undertake Practice Education training
• Social Work England registration
• The ability to travel across the local area

What's on offer

• Starting salary of £45,529 at Level 2 or £49,817 at Level 3
• Permanent full-time and part-time opportunities
• Full induction and Practice Fundamentals support
• Manageable caseloads and regular supervision
• Clear progression pathways and excellent professional development opportunities
• 28 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing after two years' continuous service
• Flexible working arrangements
• Modern, refurbished office spaces
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Staff network groups and an inclusive working environment
• Relocation support, subject to approval

This is a great opportunity for an ambitious Social Worker to develop specialist expertise in PLO and court work while making a real difference for children and families on the South Coast.

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