Experienced Social Worker - Children Looked After

Make a Lasting Difference for Children in Care

We're looking for skilled and passionate Social Workers to join our supportive Children Looked After (CLA) Team covering North & Mid Devon. If you're committed to achieving the best outcomes for children and young people and thrive in a relationship-based, restorative practice environment, we'd love to hear from you.

About Us

At the heart of our work is the belief that home is where children thrive best. As Corporate Parents, we are committed to helping every child and young person in our care flourish and achieve their full potential.

Through restorative practice and relationship-based working, we support children to maintain strong connections with their families, communities and support networks wherever possible. When long-term care is needed, we focus on securing permanence, stability and lifelong relationships, ensuring children can thrive and build lasting links that support them throughout their lives.

Our Promise to Children in Care offers a clear and heartfelt insight into who we are and what we stand for as corporate parents, and outlines what our children want from you!

About the Role

Supported by a stable and established management team, you’ll bring strong professional expertise and confidence in managing a varied caseload within a fast-paced environment.

Using creativity and analytical thinking, you’ll deliver high-quality assessments and effective interventions that promote positive, long-term change, helping to achieve the best possible outcomes for children, young people, families and carers.

About You

Advocating for the children and young people of Devon, your skills and experience will include:

• Knowledge and understanding of the legislation, models, and theories relevant to children’s social work
• The ability to build effective professional relationships with children, families, and other professionals
• Experience working within social care, including working in a multi-agency and court environment
• A social work qualification and registration with Social Work England
• Satisfactory completion of your Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE)
• A high-level of written and verbal communication skills

Working in Children's Social Care at Devon County Council

Our North & Mid Children Looked After teams are based at Taw View (Barnstaple) and Phoenix House (Tiverton). Both offer free on-site parking and are conveniently located within easy reach of major transport links. Both North & Mid Devon are surrounded by some of the most stunning landscapes which is why they both offer a fantastic place to live and work.

This role is eligible for the a £2000 retention payment (per annum).

We can also offer a £5,000 Welcome Payment to eligible new permanent staff joining the North and Mid Devon locality. Payment will be received in full in your first or second salary of joining us.

Alongside these fantastic benefits we can also offer:

• Generous annual leave, with the option to purchase more
• Free onsite parking
• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support
• Flexible working options, including hybrid working
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Discounts at 900+ retailers
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• A relocation allowance (subject to T's & C's)

For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page.

For any queries or an informal discussion about this role, please contact the Children's Social Care Recruitment Team - childsc.recruitmentchildrenssocialwork-mailbox@devon.gov.uk

Applications close 1 November 2026. Interviews will be conducted at various stages of our recruitment campaign. We encourage you to submit your application early to avoid disappointment as it is possible that the advert may close early.

Internal Applicants, please note: If you are an existing DCC employee, please use your iTrent Employee Self Service (ESS) details to log in and apply.

We are proud to welcome applications from internationally trained and qualified professionals who are now based in the UK and eager to bring their expertise to our team. For the right candidates, we can offer visa sponsorship to support your journey.

Additional Information

• This role requires a DBS disclosure.
• DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages.
• For details on the use of AI in applications and Devon County Council’s use of AI in Recruitment please see Use of AI in Our Recruitment Processes - Working for Devon | Devon County Council
• Happy to Talk Flexible Working - The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
• This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice.
• For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page.

REQ010034 – Children’s Social Care