Social Worker - Localities

Social Worker – Children & Families Localities Team

Gloucestershire (vacancies in Stroud, Gloucester, Cheltenham & Forest of Dean)
Up to £42 per hour | Ongoing contract | Full-time | Hybrid

Gloucestershire are looking for an experienced Children’s Social Worker to join their Localities (Children & Families) Team. This is a frontline, statutory role where you’ll take cases from assessment right through to court proceedings, working with children and families across a varied caseload.

About the Role

You’ll manage children’s cases across CIN / CP (and where needed, care planning), completing high-quality assessments and plans, progressing work at pace, and confidently handling PLO / pre-proceedings and court work when thresholds are met.

Key responsibilities

  • Complete single assessments and progress plans in line with statutory timescales

  • Undertake S47 enquiries, risk analysis and safety planning where concerns escalate

  • Manage and progress Child in Need / Child Protection plans, including visiting and direct work

  • Prepare clear, evidence-based court statements, reports and care plans, and represent the LA in proceedings

  • Deliver robust PLO / pre-proceedings work (letter before proceedings, parenting capacity work, multi-agency planning)

  • Work collaboratively with partner agencies (schools, health, police, early help) to reduce risk and improve outcomes

  • Maintain high-quality recording and demonstrate strong analytical decision-making in supervision

Practice Model

Gloucestershire’s approach is relationship-based and strengths-led, with a clear focus on children’s lived experience, purposeful direct work, and planning that creates measurable change. You’ll be supported to work collaboratively with families while maintaining confident professional challenge.

Requirements

  • Social Work England registration

  • Strong background in statutory children’s social work (CIN/CP experience essential)

  • Confidence with PLO and court work (or clear evidence you’re working towards it)

  • Strong assessment and report-writing skills, with sound risk analysis