Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council

Social Worker – Children in Care Team

Pay Rate: £41.11 per hour
Hours: 37 per week
Contract: Locum

About the Role

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council is seeking an experienced Social Worker to join its Children in Care Team.
You will work with looked after children and young people, ensuring they receive high-quality care, stability, and support to achieve positive long-term outcomes.

This role involves working closely with foster carers, residential providers, and partner agencies to deliver effective care and permanence planning.

Key Responsibilities

Manage a caseload of children in care.
Complete statutory visits, assessments, and reviews.
Develop and progress care and permanence plans.
Work closely with foster carers, residential homes, and partner agencies.
Prepare high-quality reports for reviews and court where required.
Undertake direct work with children to ensure their voice is central to planning.
Support transitions to independence where appropriate.

Practice Model Used by BCP

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole operate a Strengths-Based, Relationship-Focused Practice Model, supported by Signs of Safety.
This approach focuses on:

Building strong, trusting relationships with children and families
Collaborative and transparent working
Clear risk assessment and safety planning
Promoting stability and permanence for children
Reflective supervision and continuous professional development
The model supports consistent, child-centred practice across the service.

Why Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Is a Great Place to Live and Work

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole offers an outstanding coastal lifestyle combined with strong professional opportunities:

Home to award-winning beaches such as Bournemouth Beach.
Beautiful coastal and harbour areas including Poole and Christchurch.
Excellent transport links across the South Coast and into London.
Vibrant town centres with restaurants, shops, and leisure activities.
Access to the New Forest National Park and surrounding countryside.
A forward-thinking local authority focused on improving services and supporting staff.
It’s a fantastic place to combine career progression with a high quality of life.