Salary: £39,186 - £42,403 per annum (pro rata for part time)

+ market rate supplement of £6,000 (subject to annual review)

+ £10,000/£6,000/£4,000* welcome payment paid after successful probation (*depending on team)

+ £2,000 retention payment paid after 4 years’ service

+ 3 CPD days per year

+ £25 annual CPD voucher

The Council has a sponsorship licence and may be able to offer visa sponsorship to candidates based in the UK.

In Bedford Borough, children, young people and families are at the heart of everything we do and we need social workers who share our passion and determination to make a lasting difference to the lives of the families we work with.

We are incredibly proud of our service and the motivated and highly-skilled staff who work hard every day to keep children safe. Our recent Ofsted inspection confirmed that we are delivering a GOOD service to children and families.

Our practice model of systemic practice ensures that relationships are at the centre of our work with families. We focus on enabling and supporting families to make and sustain positive change. Ofsted recognised during their inspection that “Leaders have created a positive, relationship-based culture which they model in their relationships with staff, who in turn adopt a respectful, courteous approach in their work with families. Leaders are visible and approachable.”

We are committed to ensuring that you are supported to work effectively with families. Ofsted reflected that “Workers are well supported by managers at all levels” and that “Practitioners can speak easily to team managers, heads of service and senior leaders, who show interest in their work with children and support them to make difficult decisions. The local authority has continued to invest in the learning and development of its workforce. Leaders have cultivated many opportunities for staff to keep abreast with best practice, ensuring they have the necessary knowledge and skills to support children and families effectively.”

By joining Bedford Borough, you will have:

• monthly personal supervision where well-being is central to your supervision
• monthly case supervision
• monthly well-being sessions run by the Bedfordshire Well Being Service
• access to independent external clinical supervision should you require it (this is available to all our front line staff)
• a personalised career development plan
• access to monthly training on systemic practice as well as other areas of practice

We are looking for experienced social workers who can bring their knowledge, expertise and passion to help improve outcomes for the families of Bedford Borough. We are looking for social workers who are willing and able to share their expertise and support other staff to grow. We will support you to mentor and support the practice development of other staff and also support your own development in leadership.  We will ensure that your caseload is manageable dependent on your experience.

 As an Experienced Social Worker at Bedford Borough Council, you'll need:

• a desire to make a difference
• a degree in Social Work or equivalent qualification
• a minimum of two years post qualifying experience in children’s social care
• experience relevant to the team you're applying for
• experience of supporting others’ practice development such as experience of mentoring or practice education, or the willingness to learn and undertake training in this area
• registration with Social Work England

If you would like to find out more, please use the links below to view the job description and the full terms and conditions of employment

• Job description - (Experienced Social Worker - Children's Services) (PDF)
• Benefits and terms and conditions 

If you are now ready to apply, please complete the application form using the link below. You will see on the form that we are asking you to indicate which teams you would like to work in; you can indicate as many as you like on the same form, but this application is just for Experienced Social Worker level posts in Children's Services. To apply for other posts, or for roles in Adult Services please complete the appropriate form by using the links at the bottom of this page.

Application form (Experienced Social Workers - Children's Services) (Word)

Please returned your form email to: Recruitment.team@bedford.gov.uk

All offers will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.