Some key information

The Family Front Door Social Work team is a fast paced and exciting team ensuring that the children and families that we work with are assessed promptly and receive the right service at the first time.

• A commitment to your CPD through a bespoke learning and development programme.
• Permanent role
• 30 days annual leave entitlement
• At Somerset Council, we are proud to support our frontline workers with access to innovative AI technology. Our greatest asset is our dedicated workforce, and we need to ensure we evolve with technology and new ways to invest in them. We’re currently utilising Magic Notes, which has proven to help social workers reduce the amount of time spent on administrative work, allowing them to focus on using their skillset and creativity to support our shared vision of improving the life chances and outcomes for children in Somerset.

What will I be doing?
As part of your role as a Social Worker within the Family Front Door you will respond to queries and referrals regarding children aged 0-18 years.
You will be expected to liaise with members of the public and professionals over the telephone in order to gather and assess information to determine what level of intervention is required. You will work on a rota system within the team, which allows for variation and development of skills including duty, consultation, friends and family advisor.
You will be working closely with the Assessment Teams, and participating in strategy meetings to ensure children and families are effectively transferred with appropriate risk assessments, priority status and initial recommendations.
The role will include partnership engagement. It is vital that this is maintained and opportunities are available for social workers to attend multi agency meetings to support with training and risk management meetings.
What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?
You will be educated to degree level, in a recognised Social Work qualification (DipSW or equivalent) with Social Work England registration. It is desirable that you will have demonstrable experience in assessment work with children and families and will have a natural enthusiasm to maintaining and expanding your social work knowledge and skills.
We recognise the need for continuing professional development and support social workers with developing their skills and career progression. There are regular CPD sessions held internally which are contributed to by social workers and also external agencies. There are opportunities to work alongside our local Assessment Teams and Emergency Duty Team.

What’s in it for me?

• A friendly supportive learning culture with an approachable and experienced leadership team
• Generous annual leave and flexible working options
• CPD with a strong focus on systemic and relationship-based practice
• Local Government pension scheme
• Team and service away days to support a strong healthy working culture
• A kind, caring and supportive environment!
• A variety of wellbeing services to support a healthy work/life balance and lifestyle
• Support to develop your career to achieve your goals
• A flexible benefits package including cycle to work and health screening schemes
• ‘My staff shop’ which offers excellent discounts at a variety of retailers including cinemas, restaurants, clothing stores and insurance providers
• Gym discounts
• Discounted lease car options via salary sacrifice, along with discounts on fuel
• Generous relocation allowance

Anything else I should know?
Feel free to contact Hannah. Crothers@somerset.gov.uk for an informal discussion about this exciting opportunity.
Due to the importance of the role we recommend applying as soon as possible as we anticipate conducting interviews ahead of the closing date.
Located at Bridgwater Police Station Express Park. Office working at least 2 days a week.
The salary range for this role is £37,280 to £41,771 per annum.
A bit more about Somerset Council
We are the Front Door Service for Somerset Children’s Social Care (CSC) in Somerset. It consists of a team of advisers (Somerset Direct), social workers, team managers and overseen by an operations manager. We are based in the Bridgwater police station.
The team is co-located with partner agencies and contribute to the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) meetings. The Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) has been set up to improve the way that local safeguarding partnerships respond to child protection referrals, in order to share information quickly and efficiently ensuring the safest and timely outcomes for children.
DBS information
This job requires a criminal background check (DBS) via the disclosure procedure.
Job Reference: SCC0577

Please refer the Job description for details