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.