Senior Social Worker (Children's Services)

• Senior_Social_Worker__Children_Services__-_JD_PS_-_July_2025
• Candidate_Pack_-_People_Directorate_-_June_2025

Please apply online via the link provided.

Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.

About you…

You are a highly skilled and experienced Senior Social Worker with at least two years’ experience at a senior level, ideally within referral and assessment or child protection teams. You have a solid understanding of the Children’s legal framework, government legislation, and relevant directives. You are confident handling complex Section 47 enquiries, managing high-risk cases and working with children experiencing mental health or behavioural challenges.

Your deep knowledge of social care legislation, combined with a broad range of frontline social work experience, sets you apart. You bring a strong commitment to the core values of social care and are known for your clear, compassionate communication, both written and verbal. Your strong assessment and negotiation skills enable you to act decisively and sensitively in difficult situations.

About the team…

The Berkshire Emergency Duty Service (EDS), hosted by Bracknell Forest Council, is a unique out-of-hours emergency social care service covering all six Berkshire local authorities. We are a close-knit, supportive team of dedicated professionals working collaboratively to provide high-quality, urgent care when it is needed most.

Our strength lies in our people. We foster an environment where everyone has the time, support, and space to think critically, share ideas, and grow in their role. Our strong management relationships and expert guidance mean you are never working alone. EDS is a place where your voice matters, your expertise is valued, and your development is a priority.

Key responsibilities…

• Respond to out-of-hours social care emergencies, including Child Protection, Child in Need, Children Looked After, and Children’s Mental Health cases, in accordance with the Children’s legal framework and relevant guidance.
• Undertake complex Section 47 enquiries and assess risk in high-pressure situations.
• Manage a range of complex cases involving safeguarding, mental health, behavioural issues, and multi-agency interventions.
• Apply your knowledge across children’s and adult social care, as EDS is a generic emergency service (training will be provided).
• Provide professional, high-quality written and verbal communication to ensure accurate case recording and handover.
• Work collaboratively with health, housing, and emergency services to deliver safe, coordinated responses.
• Uphold the values of social care and champion best practices that put children, families, and vulnerable adults at the centre of your work.

Our benefits…

• An attractive and competitive salary with 28 days* annual leave increasing to 33 days* after 3 years’ continuous service.
• The opportunity to buy up to 10 additional days* annual leave per year and sell 5 days.
• Regular individual supervision and reflective peer group support led by a qualified practitioner
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice for an electric car at a fixed monthly cost (subject to eligibility).
• An inclusive and social working environment with a variety of staff networks.
• Local government pension scheme.
• Life insurance cover (linked to the pension scheme)
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave.
• Recognition of continuous service attained within the NHS and UKHSA when calculating some benefits such as annual leave entitlements, occupational maternity/paternity leave, and more. (Terms and Conditions apply – please refer to candidate pack for more information.)
• Career development through internal and external training opportunities.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support your health and wellbeing.
• Sports and Social Club.
• Staff dental and health plans.
• Discounted leisure centre and gym membership.
• Supermarket discount.

*(pro rata for part time)

Our values

At Bracknell Forest Council our values define who we are and what is important to us. Our core values are inclusive, ambitious, and always learning. These values influence the way we work with each other and the way we serve our residents and engage with our communities. We make our values real by demonstrating them in how we behave every day. If you are excited about joining a diverse team that celebrates learning and strives for excellence, we would love to hear from you.

Reasonable adjustments

We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process for all applicants. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview, please let us know by contacting recruitment@bracknell-forest.gov.uk. We will work with you to support you throughout the process.

Interview date

Interviews will be held on Tuesday 29 July 2025

Interviews will be conducted in person, providing candidates with the chance to personally meet the team and experience our work environment.

We will be reviewing applications regularly and reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified. To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible.

Please note AI is prohibited during the interview, any candidate using AI will be withdrawn from consideration.

Want to ask us a question?

For an informal discussion or to ask any questions about this role, please contact:

Shelli Read, Emergency Duty Service Business Manager, Phone number: 01344 353465

At Bracknell Forest we champion equality, diversity and inclusion. At Bracknell Forest Council, we are always learning, ambitious and inclusive. Please see our candidate pack for more details.

Bracknell Forest Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect everyone employed with us to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to a DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check as part of our pre-employment checks process.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate experience of working within the current Social Care System and Framework.

Social Work England registration fees can be claimed back from the Council.

We can only accept applications from candidates currently residing in the UK.

Candidates currently residing in the UK who require sponsorship to work are encouraged to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) based on the relevant criteria. Please be aware that sponsorship availability varies and is subject to eligibility requirements and budget limitations. As a result, we cannot guarantee sponsorship for all roles and will evaluate sponsorship requests on a case-by-case basis.

No agencies please.