
Experienced Social Worker - Help and Protection
We value diverse perspectives and experiences and strive to create an inclusive workplace culture that is accepting of all and free from discrimination and bias.
At Coventry City Council, we are embarking on an incredible journey to create a brighter future for Coventry's children. As an 'Outstanding' Local Authority, we believe in pushing boundaries and delivering excellence for children and families. Our vision is clear, and our social workers are unwavering in their commitment to putting children and families at the centre of their practice.
Be part of our inspiring team, making a meaningful difference in the lives of Coventry's children. Together, let's create a nurturing environment where every child's potential can flourish.
Our ValuesIn line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equity and respect remains at the heart of everything we do.
Our Values are:
- Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
- Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
- Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
- Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
- Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
- Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.
We are looking for an experienced Social Worker to join our Help and Protection area team permanently.
We are an Outstanding Local Authority, as recognised by Ofsted, and remain committed to ensuring that children are at the heart of our decision-making. Whilst we are proud of this achievement, we continue to strive for excellence, focusing on delivering high-quality services and positive outcomes for Coventry's children, young people and families.
As a Social Worker in Coventry, you will work with diverse communities and deliver experienced social work services to children, young people and families to assess their needs, provide support and safeguard their rights. You will collaborate with other professionals and agencies to deliver person-centred and holistic services.
You will support children, young people and families from a variety of backgrounds, and to deliver the best possible care, we must have a workforce that represents and understands their unique experiences and perspectives.
We are therefore looking for social workers who are committed to achieving the best for our children, young people, and families.
All candidates must have the Right to Work in the UK. We are currently not offering sponsorship for this role.
This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
Who are we looking for?We are seeking a candidate with a strong background in working with children, young people, and their families. You should have extensive experience in handling complex cases, including Child Protection, Child in Need, Care Proceedings, and the Public Law Outline.
The ideal candidate will have previously supported children and families when children have been taken into care and will have experience providing guidance and supervision to less experienced colleagues. A relevant Social Work qualification is essential for this role.
If you are passionate about mentoring the next generation of social workers and have a proven track record in children's services, we would love to hear from you.
The children, families and young people we work with come from a variety of backgrounds, and to deliver the best possible care, it is vital that we have a workforce that represents and understands their unique experiences and perspectives.
In order to shape and deliver our services in an effective way, we want to ensure that we have employees from a range of different backgrounds, identities and different lived experiences so that we are able to meet the needs of all the communities that we serve.
Our workforce data shows that men, people from minority ethnic backgrounds, people with a disability or who identify as being from the LGBT+ community are under-represented at management level and we encourage applicants from these backgrounds to apply. This does not prevent individuals with or without other protected characteristics as set out within the Equality Act 2010 from applying for this post.
If you require further information or would like a discussion about this post, don't hesitate to get in touch with the recruiting manager - Holly Sharpe on holly.sharpe@coventry.gov.uk
If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme - As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care or have previously been in care
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition
For full details on the application process please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'.
We recognise that you might use AI tools to help with your application. While these tools can be useful, please make sure that all information you provide about your experience, skills, and qualifications is accurate. What matters most to us is hearing about your experience and the achievements that truly reflect you!
Interview date: Week commencing 10th August 2026
Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change.
We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.
At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.
To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.
If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package - to find out more please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies
Salary range
- £39,152 - £46,142 per year


