Experienced Social Worker - Children's Services

Job Introduction

Experienced Social Worker

Teams: Various

Salary up to £49,817 per year

Hours: Permanent full-time, Monday to Friday with flexible working

Following our recent Ofsted Good judgement, there has never been a better time to join Solihull Children's Services. With competitive salaries up to £49,817, a supportive permanent leadership team and flexible working arrangements, you'll be part of a service committed to achieving the best outcomes for children and families.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join Solihull Children's Services as we continue to develop our new Family Help model, bringing together social workers, family support workers and partner agencies to provide joined-up, relationship-based support for children and families.

We are looking for experienced Social Workers who are respectful, kind and passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of vulnerable children, young people and their families. Working within one of our Family Help Teams, you will undertake assessments, support children and families through change, and help achieve positive outcomes.

Solihull is a local authority that is big enough to make a difference, but small enough to care. With manageable caseloads, supportive managers and a stable, experienced workforce, we offer an environment where social workers can focus on what matters most: building strong relationships with children and families and delivering high-quality practice.

These roles will be based in our modern offices in Chelmunds Place and the Bluebell Centre in Chelmsley Wood, Solihull.

Our Offer to You

• Competitive Salaries - Earn one of the highest salaries (within the top three) in the region - up to £49,817 per annum (as confirmed by an independent pay analysis of 13 local authorities across the West Midlands).
  
• Manageable workloads – allowing you the time to give dedicated support where it is needed.
• Guaranteed regular supervision, to ensure you feel supported and are on the right track.
• Local government pension – Up to 6.8% (subject to annual review/change) section contribution.
• Generous annual leave - 25 days rising to 30 days after five years’ service and the opportunity to buy up to 10 days’ additional leave per year.
• Flexible working – including a flexi time scheme and hybrid working.
• Professional development - High quality year-round training and coaching and in house academic programmes (Practice Education Award) via our Children's Social Care Academy (in partnership with Bournemouth University)
• Clear career pathways through to Advanced Practitioner, specialist roles and leadership and management.
• Employee Assistance Programme – 24/7 access to independent, free and confidential support and advice
• Training on and use of Beam Notes (AI) - to enable you to spend more time working directly with our children, young people and their families.
• Relocation Package – up to £6,500 towards the cost of moving house (terms and conditions apply).

About You

Successful applicants will be committed to delivering a high-quality, transparent service and ensuring the wellbeing of children, young people and their families in Solihull. You will also have:

• A professional Social Worker qualification and current Social Work England registration
• Significant post qualifying experience
• A solution-focussed approach
• A sound knowledge of current national and regional social work policies/practices and relevant childcare legislation
• A driving licence and own your own vehicle (this is an essential car user post due to the demands of the job). For disabled applicants, reasonable adjustments will be made where required.

About Us

At Solihull, children and young people are at the heart of everything we do. We are launching eight new Family Help Teams, bringing together skilled professionals to provide timely, relationship-based support that improves outcomes for children and families. Our Family Help Teams are pivotal to the delivery of the national reforms locally, enabling children and families to access more coordinated support from one team around the family.

Each Family Help Team consists of five Social Workers, three Family Support Workers, an Advanced Practitioner and a Team Manager, creating the capacity and expertise needed to deliver meaningful interventions. Teams receive support from a multi-agency Partnership Hub, which includes Domestic Abuse services (including an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor and perpetrator offer), Edge of Care, Family Group Conferencing, Youth Justice, Harm Outside the Home, Education inclusion, Educational Psychology, Housing and the Department for Work and Pensions. Together, we provide coordinated support that helps families build on their strengths and achieve lasting change.

Family Help Teams work with children and families from the point of referral through assessment and intervention, undertaking Section 17 and Section 47 assessments and working alongside families on Family Help and Child Protection plans. Teams operate a one-week-in-eight duty rota, while a specialist Court Team undertakes the majority of public law and some private law work. With average caseloads of 18 children, a highly stable workforce and many agency workers choosing to become permanent employees, our social workers have the capacity to build meaningful relationships with families and deliver lasting change

For more information about the many benefits of working for Solihull, our teams or to see our other vacancies, please click here.

Contact Us

To apply, please click the link.

Or if you have a specific question regarding these opportunities, please contact:

Toni Clifton – Operations Manager - toni.clifton@solihull.gov.uk

Closing Date: Wednesday 30 September 2026

Please note, applications may be reviewed and interviews carried out at regular intervals during the recruitment window.

Whilst these opportunities are advertised as full time, we would welcome applications for working on a part time or job share basis.

Further information

This post will require a DBS check.

This post is covered by the Fluency Duty, as outlined in the Code of Practice on the English language requirements for public sector workers.

Please note: As part of our compliance and safer recruitment requirements, references will be sought for all successful candidates following interview. A reference must be provided by the candidate’s current or most recent employer or training provider. Where this does not cover the last three years, an additional reference will be required from the candidate’s next most recent employer or training provider. Posts subject to statutory regulation may require additional scrutiny. Personal/character references will only be accepted in exceptional circumstances.

Solihull Council is proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit.

Solihull Council has a responsibility for, and is committed to, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk, and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.