Suffolk County Council
Address: West Suffolk House, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3YU - Hybrid
Salary: £34,434 - £40,777 plus retention payment per annum (pro rata for part time)
Hours: 37 hours per week - flexible working options available
Contract: Fixed term/secondment for 6 months

We have an exciting opportunity for a Social Worker to join our Family Solutions Team who shares the same commitment, dedication, care, and support as we do.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

You will work with families and provide an intensive, solution-focused, strength-based, trauma informed intervention. We work in collaboration with case responsible social workers using one of the three models:

Edge of care: An intensive 12-week intervention, working with the whole family to prevent children entering the care system where it is assessed as safe to do so.
Reunification: An intensive intervention of up to 20 weeks to support children in care to return home to their parents or someone within their connected network.
Restore and prevent: An intensive 12-week intervention to sustain placements for Children in Care where there is potential breakdown.

You will need

a relevant social work qualification and Social Work England registration.
to hold a full and current driving licence and have access to personal transport or meet the mobility requirements of the role through other reasonable and suitable means.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (Word). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application

The team

The team comprises Senior Social Workers, Social Workers and Family Support Practitioners with various skills and expertise; you can develop your social work practice and experience within a supportive team culture. Partnership working is a particular strength within the team, and there is scope for you to build meaningful working relationships across an array of services to develop your role both now and in the future.

The Family Solutions Team is a countywide team covering all of Suffolk, with teams based in Lowestoft, Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds. We offer you access to regular supervision. The necessary training to enhance career development through our supportive career pathways programme Progression Scheme (pdf) and to make sure you feel supported within your role. Clinical supervision by a seasoned professional. This does not only benefit your personal wellbeing but directly affects the experience of the children and young people within our care.

Empowering Everyone

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Emma Orchard, Practice Manager, for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01728 652373.

If you want to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first. Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application.

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).

Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template.

Can you describe a time when you worked intensively with a family to prevent a child from entering care? What approach did you take, and what was the outcome?
Describe a time when you identified a safeguarding concern. What actions did you take, and how did you ensure the child’s safety?
Tell us about a complex case you managed. How did you balance the needs of the child, the family, and statutory responsibilities?

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We ask you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing recruitment@suffolk.gov.ukor calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 12 August 2025

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #Hybrid

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
diverse and active staff networks
flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).