Advanced Social Worker - Children With Disabilites

Derbyshire County Council
Advanced Social Worker – Children with Disabilities

Pay Rate: £29.03 per hour
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Locum

About the Role

Derbyshire County Council is seeking an experienced Advanced Social Worker to join their Children with Disabilities (CWD) Team. This is a specialist role working with children and young people who have complex needs, ensuring they receive high-quality assessments, tailored support, and effective safeguarding where required.

You will play a key role in supporting families, leading on complex cases, and contributing to high standards of practice across the service. The role offers the opportunity to work in a supportive team with a strong focus on relationship-based and strengths-led social work.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead on complex assessments and care planning for children with disabilities.
  • Undertake Child in Need, safeguarding, and statutory work where appropriate.
  • Provide professional guidance and support to colleagues within the team.
  • Work closely with families, carers, health professionals, education, and other partner agencies.
  • Ensure children’s voices are central to all assessments, plans, and decision-making.
  • Prepare clear, analytical reports for reviews, panels, and statutory processes.
  • Maintain accurate and timely case recording in line with statutory requirements.

Practice Model Used by Derbyshire

Derbyshire operates a Strengths-Based and Relationship-Focused Practice Model, underpinned by restorative principles. The model promotes:

  • building strong, trusting relationships with children and families
  • working collaboratively with families to identify strengths and solutions
  • reflective practice and professional curiosity
  • child-centred, outcome-focused decision-making

This approach supports consistent, high-quality practice across specialist services including Children with Disabilities.

Why Derbyshire Is a Great Place to Live and Work

Derbyshire offers an excellent quality of life, combining beautiful countryside with accessible towns and strong local communities. Benefits include:

  • Easy access to the Peak District National Park, ideal for outdoor living and downtime.
  • A lower cost of living compared to many urban areas, with good housing options.
  • A strong sense of community and family-friendly environment.
  • Well-connected road and rail links to major cities including Sheffield, Nottingham, and Manchester.
  • A local authority committed to supporting its workforce, with a focus on wellbeing, supervision, and professional development.

Derbyshire provides a calmer pace of life while still offering rewarding, meaningful social work practice.