Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council

Social Worker – Court and PLO Team

Pay Rate: £38 per hour
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Locum

About the Role

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council is seeking an experienced Social Worker to join its Court and PLO Team. This role focuses on managing cases within care proceedings and pre-proceedings, requiring strong analytical skills, confident court work, and effective multi-agency collaboration.

You will work closely with legal services, families, and partner agencies to ensure robust evidence-based decision-making and timely progression of cases through the court process.

Key Responsibilities

Manage cases within Public Law Outline (PLO) and care proceedings.
Prepare high-quality statements, assessments, and care plans for court.
Undertake direct work with children and families as part of court-directed planning.
Work collaboratively with legal services, guardians, and partner agencies.
Attend court hearings and professionals’ meetings as required.
Maintain accurate and timely case recording in line with statutory guidance.

Practice Model Used by BCP Council

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council operates a Strengths-Based, Relationship-Focused Practice Model, informed by Signs of Safety principles. This approach promotes clear analysis of risk and protective factors, collaborative working with families, and child-centred decision-making throughout court and pre-proceedings work.

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

BCP offers an outstanding quality of life alongside rewarding professional opportunities, including:

Stunning award-winning beaches and coastal living.
A vibrant lifestyle with cafés, restaurants, and cultural attractions.
Excellent outdoor opportunities, from coastal walks to nearby countryside.
Good transport links to Southampton, London, and the South West.
A progressive local authority committed to high-quality practice and workforce wellbeing.