Gloucestershire County Council

Social Worker – Children and Families Team

Pay Rate: £42 per hour
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Locum

About the Role

Gloucestershire County Council is seeking an experienced Social Worker to join its Children and Families Team on a locum basis. This role involves working with children and families to assess need, manage risk, and deliver timely, child-centred interventions that promote safety, stability, and positive long-term outcomes.

You will work across Child in Need, Child Protection, and care planning pathways, undertaking direct work with children and families while collaborating closely with multi-agency partners.

Key Responsibilities

Undertake Child and Family Assessments within statutory timescales.
Manage Children in Need and Child Protection cases, including Section 47 enquiries.
Develop and review outcome-focused plans that prioritise the child’s safety and wellbeing.
Carry out direct work with children and families, ensuring the child’s voice is central to all decision-making.
Prepare high-quality, analytical reports for conferences, reviews, and legal processes where required.
Work collaboratively with partner agencies including health, education, police, and early help services.
Maintain accurate, timely case recording in line with statutory and organisational requirements.

Practice Model Used by Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire County Council operates under the Signs of Safety practice model. This strengths-based, relationship-focused framework supports:

Clear and balanced risk analysis
Collaborative working with families and their networks
Transparent, child-centred decision-making
Strong safety planning alongside families and professionals

The model promotes consistency, reflective practice, and effective safeguarding across Children’s Services.

Why Gloucestershire Is a Great Place to Live and Work

Gloucestershire offers an excellent quality of life, combining beautiful surroundings with strong professional opportunities. Benefits include:

Stunning countryside, including the Cotswolds, Forest of Dean, and Severn Valley
A balance of rural living and vibrant towns such as Cheltenham and Gloucester
Good transport links to Bristol, Birmingham, and the South West
A strong sense of community and family-friendly environment
A local authority committed to supporting social workers through good leadership, reflective supervision, and investment in practice

Gloucestershire is an ideal location for social workers seeking rewarding work alongside a high quality of life.

Apply Today