Social Worker - First Contact and Assessment Team (plus Welcome Payment of £6,000)

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• Candidate_Pack_-_People_Directorate_-_Aug_2026
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• Two_Year_Retention_Payment_with_Welcome_Payment_-_CSC

Please apply online via the link provided.

Please include a personal statement with your CV specifying why you are applying for this vacancy.

Join our supportive First Contact and Assessment service, working with children and families from the earliest point of involvement. You will build positive relationships, undertake purposeful assessments and help make timely decisions that promote children’s safety, wellbeing and outcomes.

At Bracknell Forest, we pride ourselves on being a council which is stable and well-managed where our employees can thrive in a supportive environment. We understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance.

This role includes an expectation to work from our Time Square office a minimum of 3 days per week, alongside flexible working arrangements.

To learn more about what it is like to work with us, take a look at our team's video

If you would like an informal chat or a tour of the office prior to submitting your application, please contact helen.gore@bracknell-forest.gov.uk to arrange a suitable time.

About you…

You will be a motivated and child-focused Social Worker who is confident working with children and families at the point they need support. You will bring strong assessment and relationship-building skills, sound professional judgement and the ability to make timely, proportionate decisions while keeping the child’s voice at the heart of your practice.

Current registration with Social Work England is essential and, where applicable, you will have successfully completed your Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) within a statutory children’s social care setting. In addition, you will have post-qualifying experience in children and families statutory social work.

About the team…

Our First Contact and Assessment team is a supportive, welcoming and experienced team where practitioners work collaboratively to achieve the best outcomes for children and families. The work is varied and fast-paced, with strong management oversight, regular supervision and opportunities for learning and development. We value reflective practice, good communication and supporting one another through challenging work. The team is based at Times Square council offices, with flexible working arrangements supporting a healthy balance between office and home working.

Learn what OFSTED say about us here.

Read more about our culture and what our staff say Children's social care culture | Bracknell Forest Council.

Please note: Children's services are currently progressing its Families First transformation programme. This role may be subject to changes to its responsibilities, reporting arrangements and/or job description. Any proposed changes would be managed in accordance with the council's relevant consultation processes and policies.

Key responsibilities…

• To carry out needs led child focused assessments which include outcome focused plans.
• To take part in the duty system responding to child protection concerns.
• To make effective use of time and be able to prioritise demand.
• To participate in regular reflective supervision and be able to set clear goals and intervention strategies.
• To develop and maintain accurate case records and comply with the department's policies, procedures and guidelines including data protection and GDPR.
• To promote listening to children at every opportunity, ensuring their views are heard, recorded and acted upon in an appropriate and timely manner.

Our benefits…

• 28 days annual leave increasing to 33 days after 3 years’ continuous service, with the opportunity to buy up to 10 and sell up to 5 days.
• Hybrid working opportunities to support your wellbeing and work-life balance.
• Paid employee volunteering scheme.
• Local government pension scheme, with life insurance cover.
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme (subject to eligibility).
• Reimbursement of Social Work England registration.
• Recognition of continuous service attained within the NHS and UKHSA when calculating some benefits. (Terms and Conditions apply)
• Career development through internal and external training opportunities.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support your health and wellbeing
• Inclusive and social working environment with a variety of staff networks and a sports and social club.

Find out more about all our benefits or see the candidate pack.

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. Find out more about reasonable adjustments.

Disability confident and inclusive recruitment...

Bracknell Forest Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and an inclusive employer. This means that if you tell us on your application form that you have a disability, are an armed forces veteran or are a care leaver, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification.

Interview date

Shortlisting will be done on a weekly basis and interviews will be arranged a minimum of 7 days after this for suitable applicants.

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:

Donna Barber - Team Manager, First Contact and Assessment

Tel: 01344 352914

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.

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.