Job Title: Senior Social Worker - Children in Care Team
Employer: Bradford Metropolitan District Council
Rate of Pay: £35 per hour
Are you a highly experienced and compassionate Social Worker ready to take on a leadership role in supporting looked after children? Bradford Council is seeking a dedicated Senior Social Worker to join our committed Children in Care (CiC) Team!
We are deeply committed to providing the best possible care and outcomes for our looked after children. Our Children in Care Team plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety, well-being, and positive development of children and young people who are unable to live with their birth families. We strive to achieve permanence for every child, whether through adoption, Special Guardianship, or long-term fostering.
The Role
As a Senior Social Worker in the Children in Care Team, you will manage a varied caseload of looked after children and young people. In addition to your direct casework, you will use your expertise to mentor and guide less experienced colleagues. Your primary responsibilities will include:
Managing a complex caseload of looked after children and young people, from entry into care through to achieving permanence.
Providing expert guidance and mentoring to Social Workers and newly qualified staff, fostering a culture of high-quality practice and professional development.
Leading on complex care planning and permanence pathways, ensuring timely and effective plans for adoption, Special Guardianship Orders (SGOs), long-term fostering, or safe return to family.
Working closely with a wide range of professionals including foster carers, residential staff, Independent Reviewing Officers (IROs), legal teams, and health professionals to support children's holistic needs.
Attending and contributing to Looked After Child (LAC) Reviews, Placement Planning Meetings, and other statutory meetings.
Championing the voice of the child and ensuring their wishes and feelings are at the heart of all decisions.
Maintaining accurate, analytical, and up-to-date electronic case records in compliance with statutory requirements and council policies.
About You
We are looking for a highly motivated and empathetic Senior Social Worker with:
A recognised Social Work qualification (e.g., Degree in Social Work, DipSW, CQSW).
Current registration with Social Work England.
Significant post-qualifying experience in children's social care, with substantial experience in Children in Care / Looked After Children's services.
Demonstrable experience in a mentoring, supervisory, or practice leadership role.
An expert understanding of relevant legislation, including the Children Act 1989 and associated statutory guidance for looked after children and care planning.
Exceptional assessment, planning, communication, and analytical skills, with the ability to build rapport with children and their carers.
A commitment to child-centred practice and achieving permanence.
A full UK driving licence and access to a car for business use (or ability to travel efficiently).
Apply Now
If you are an exceptional social work leader ready for your next rewarding challenge, we would love to hear from you!
For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Fahmida Ahmed on 07441 927663 or .
To apply, please submit a comprehensive CV .
Randstad Care acts as an employment business when supplying temporary staff and as an employment agency when introducing candidates for permanent employment with a client. Randstad Care is an equal opportunities employer and decisions are made on merits alone.
Did you know that Randstad Care have been awarded a place on the National Clinical Staffing Framework for the NHS? This means we will be able to bring you more opportunities within nursing & midwifery and clinical staffing.
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