Social Worker - Child Protection

We’re proud to say Dorset Council has recently been rated Outstanding by Ofsted for our work with children, young people and families. This reflects our commitment to high-quality, child-centred practice and the positive culture we’ve built across our services.

Lead national change
Dorset is one of just three Pathfinder sites selected nationally for the Families First for Children programme. This means we’re leading a new approach to child protection that will shape the future of social work in England. It also brings dedicated funding, government support, and the chance to influence national policy and practice.

A new way of working
Our approach keeps families at the centre. We’re redesigning child protection conferences to encourage genuine collaboration and reduce jargon. Our Quality Assurance Reviewing Officers (QAROs) work directly with families, helping explain processes, build understanding, and maintain regular contact.

You’ll have the support of our Safeguarding Together teams – multidisciplinary professionals working together across each locality. These teams were developed in-house following a successful pilot and are now fully embedded into everyday practice.

A culture of development
We take professional development seriously. You’ll access training in motivational interviewing, restorative practice and strength-based approaches. You’ll also have protected time for both individual and group supervision. Our regular Partnership Workforce Events are a chance to step back, challenge current thinking and shape new ideas.

We know social work can be demanding. That’s why we invest in your wellbeing with talking therapies, support from our Mental Health Champions, and practical workshops led by our Employee Wellbeing Team.

Locality-based working
Our service is split into four localities: East Dorset & Purbeck, West Dorset & Dorchester, Chesil (Weymouth & Portland), and North Dorset. While each area has its own unique geography, you’ll be part of a wider integrated team including early help, SEND, education and inclusion colleagues. If you have a location preference, you’re welcome to note this on your application.

What you’ll be doing
As a Lead Child Protection Practitioner, you’ll work with families who are subject to complex Child in Need plans, Child Protection plans, pre-proceedings and court proceedings. Your responsibilities will include:

• delivering statutory services in line with the Children Act 1989 and relevant legislation 
• undertaking assessments of children’s needs and developing effective, timely plans
• promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children through direct work and support
• working in partnership with families to build resilience and reduce the need for ongoing intervention
• preparing high-quality reports for court and other professional settings
• chairing multi-agency meetings to review and progress plans
• keeping accurate and up-to-date records using our case management system
• working closely with the Lead Family Help Practitioner to provide expert child protection input
• undertaking specialist assessments once training has been completed

Join us in Dorset and be part of something genuinely different. This is your chance to work in an outstanding authority, shape the future of social work, and make a real difference to the lives of children and families.

About you

You will have a Social Work qualification, be registered with Social Work England, and be able to fulfil the travel requirements of the post. You will need to have completed your ASYE and have a minimum of 2 years post-qualification experience in Children’s Services.

You will be able to demonstrate a high level of post-qualification knowledge of statutory social care services, with experience of delivering complex court proceedings in a variety of court settings. We would love to hear from you.

Due to the current need, applications can only be accepted from candidates who already have the right to work in the UK.

This role is full time at 37 hours but flexible working will be considered.

This post requires significant travel. You must have a vehicle (or transport we deem suitable) available for use as needed.

This post involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults and/or having access to significant information about them. It will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check. See our policy on the employment of ex-offenders.

See our policy on safeguarding children and young people.

See the children’s social worker framework.

You must:

• have a degree in social work/Occupational Therapy or equivalent
• be able to fulfil the travel requirements of the post
• have the right to work in the UK

Friends and Family Referral Scheme

The friends and family referral scheme applies to this post. If an employee recommended this post to you mention them when asked on your application form. They'll give you all the information you need.

Employees can share this advert by using the button links alongside the job title.

Relocation expenses package

A generous relocation package is payable, of which up to £8,000 (of HMRC eligible elements) are free of tax. We can offer you help to move whether you are looking to buy or rent, depending on your circumstances.

Our package includes:

• an initial advance of up to £2,500 payable when you start
• help towards fees associated with buying/selling (up to £6,500)
• an option to receive help towards your rent or mortgage in the first two years

At Dorset Council, we are working together to create a fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable Dorset for everyone, now and in the future.

We: 

• provide essential services that support over 380,000 residents 
• work in partnership to make a real difference 
• value every role and the impact it has on our communities 
• support our employees to grow, develop, and thrive 

You will: 

• be part of a team that works together for a better Dorset 
• have access to a range of benefits and support 
• have access to range of training opportunities which will help with your personal development and career progression 

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve. 

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible. If you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application. 

This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement. 

If you’re passionate about making a difference, we’d love you to join us. 

Find out more about how to apply.