Senior Social Worker - Safeguarding

Senior Social Worker – Safeguarding | Bracknell Forest Council | £49,918 – £53,048 per year

Bracknell Forest Council are looking for an experienced Senior Social Worker to join their Safeguarding Team on a permanent basis. This is an exciting opportunity to join a high-performing local authority rated Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted (December 2025), recognised for not only sustaining but strengthening exceptional services for children and families.

This role would suit a confident and relational practitioner who is passionate about safeguarding, experienced in child protection and court work, and committed to delivering meaningful, child-centred practice within a supportive and forward-thinking service.

Role Overview

As a Senior Social Worker in the Safeguarding Team, you will manage a varied and complex caseload including Child in Need, Child Protection, Children Looked After, and care proceedings. You will play a key role in protecting children at risk of harm, undertaking robust assessments, and delivering effective, outcome-focused plans that improve children’s lived experiences.

Bracknell Forest operate the Family Safeguarding Model, with a strong emphasis on relational social work and Motivational Interviewing. You will work collaboratively with families and multi-disciplinary professionals to reduce risk and support families to stay together where it is safe to do so.

This is a role where high-quality practice is both expected and supported. You will contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, model strong practice, and support less experienced colleagues. The service is known for its manageable caseloads, strong leadership, and commitment to professional development, creating an environment where social workers can thrive.

Key responsibilities

  • Manage a complex caseload including Child in Need, Child Protection, and care proceedings
  • Develop and implement effective safeguarding and risk management plans
  • Undertake high-quality assessments, reports, and court statements
  • Participate in duty systems, responding to safeguarding concerns as they arise
  • Work collaboratively with multi-agency partners to deliver coordinated interventions
  • Apply the Family Safeguarding Model and relational practice approaches in all work
  • Ensure timely visits, interventions, and case progression in line with statutory expectations
  • Maintain accurate and high-quality case recording in line with GDPR and local policies
  • Support and mentor less experienced colleagues, including NQSWs and students
  • Engage in reflective supervision and contribute to ongoing professional development

Benefits

  • Competitive salary of £49,918 – £53,048 per year
  • £7,000 welcome payment (subject to T&Cs)
  • 4% retention payment after 2 years’ service
  • 28 days annual leave rising to 33 days, with the option to buy up to 10 additional days or sell up to 5 days
  • Flexible and supportive working environment promoting work-life balance
  • Local Government Pension Scheme with life insurance cover
  • Reimbursement of Social Work England registration fees
  • Access to high-quality internal and external training and clear career progression pathways
  • Strong leadership and management support with a visible and approachable senior team
  • Manageable caseloads allowing for meaningful and high-quality practice
  • Paid employee volunteering scheme
  • Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
  • Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption, and fostering leave
  • Inclusive workplace culture with staff networks, peer support, and social groups
  • Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme (subject to eligibility)
  • Recognition of continuous service from NHS and UKHSA (T&Cs apply)
  • Sponsorship can be discussed for applicants with more than 2 years post-qualified experience

Requirements

  • Social Work England registration
  • Qualified Social Worker status
  • Minimum 3 years’ post-qualified experience within Children’s Social Care
  • Strong experience in safeguarding, child protection, and care proceedings
  • Sound knowledge of relevant legislation, thresholds, and statutory guidance
  • Experience of effective multi-agency working and partnership collaboration
  • Ability to produce high-quality assessments, reports, and court statements
  • Commitment to relational social work and improving outcomes for children
  • Enhanced DBS and full compliance for permanent employment

Interested?

For more information or to apply, contact:
Emily Cooper – ecooper@sheldon-phillips.com | ecooper@sheldon-phillips.com | 07745 200325

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