Senior Social Worker (Family Help)

We saw that social care reform was coming, and we acted. We transformed our service, restructured our teams, changed how we work with each other and our partners, and we improved.

We believe one simple thing: that everyday counts and everyone matters.

Over the last couple of years, we’ve been on a journey that has seen Ofsted has our Children’s Services as ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding Leadership’, and more recently has inspected our SEND provision (Area full SEND inspection) and how we work with partner agencies (Joint Target Area Inspection). In every inspection Ofsted has recognised our commitment and dedication to delivering the best outcomes for children, young people and families.

But we’re ambitious for our children and young people, so our journey continues.

We are looking for a Senior Social worker to join us!

Please note: We have a vacancy in Family Help East

About the Role:
As a Senior Social Worker, you will play a pivotal role in safeguarding vulnerable young people and supporting them towards safer, brighter futures. You will bring your expertise to support not only our most complex children but also the team, sharing learning, best practice, and contributing to the continuous professional development of colleagues. Your insight will help shape creative, effective interventions for some of Southampton’s most vulnerable young people.

About the Team

We know it is better to provide focussed support when problems first emerge, rather than delivering a statutory intervention when the needs have escalated. The Family Help service can prevent emerging problems from getting worse and becoming deep seated or entrenched.

Through our Family Help model we aim to improve outcomes for children and families in Southampton and at the same time reduce the demands upon specialist and statutory, higher tier services. The team is made up of family practitioners, social workers and multi-agency practitioners who work alongside families to identify strengths and challenges and work towards a targeted support plan to motivate and create change.

What We Offer:

• Dedicated Youth Hub: Access to a fantastic facility including a music room and skills room, supporting holistic engagement.
• Strong Community Links: Work alongside local youth charities and community organisations
• Innovative Practice: Be part of a forward-thinking service committed to creativity and innovation in social work practice.
• An opportunity to work within a service where the Assistant Team Manager says 'this is the happiest I have ever been in a job'
• Enjoy a Nine Day Fortnight: Enjoy a better work-life balance

About you:

• A qualified social worker with at least two years post-qualifying experience, preferably with children and young people at risk of exploitation, youth violence, or on the edge of care.
• Proven ability to lead, support, and mentor social work colleagues, fostering a culture of learning and professional growth.
• Strong commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
• Excellent communication and multi-agency collaboration skills to ensure effective, coordinated responses.
• A proactive, reflective practitioner who can contribute to service development and innovation

If you’re ready to be part of a supportive team that values your expertise and is dedicated to improving the lives of children and families, apply now! See what our teams already say about working in Southampton through the linked video!

Family Safeguarding

Southampton are committed to delivering a service to families and have embedded Family Safeguarding Teams. You will work alongside adult facing specialist workers to progress plans, support families and keep children safely at home whenever possible.

Young People's Service (YPS)

YPS is a dedicated service working within contextual safeguarding in the city. You will work collaboratively with Youth Justice, Young Person Practitioners, Outreach Contextual Teams and the voluntary sector to tackle issues that impact on teenagers. With a bespoke YPS Hub you can be part of regular Youth Clubs, our very own Opportunity Brews Cafe - run by Young People their workers and much much more! With a dedicated space within the city centre, we have a music studio, salon and skills room plus areas for 1-1 sessions.

Hear directly from our team—watch the video to find out what they love about the role!

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNHpJ3GnT516p-8NImz/

What we can offer you:

Salary: The salary band for this role is £47,181- £51,356 per annum, The starting salary is £47,181 with annual progression through the salary bands.

Here at SCC we have a range of different perks and benefits, a few examples can be found below.

• Enjoy a 9 Day Fortnight, ensuring your have an extra days TOIL every other week to recognise your hard work and commitment
• Work in Local Authority with 'OUTSTANDING' in management and leadership (Ofsted 2023)
• Excellent local government pension with 16.8% employer contribution
• Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution)
• Generous holiday 25–31 days, based on role and service
• Flexible working options (role-dependent)
• Family-friendly policies - Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents
• Training and development, including coaching and mentoring
• Health and wellbeing support - Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks
• Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant
• Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform
• Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres
• Sustainable travel benefits - low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans
• Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer

For further information on our benefits package please visit: Employee benefits (southampton.gov.uk)

Contact details for informal discussion:

For further information and details regarding the role, please contact clare.brown@southampton.gov.uk

Interview Information:

Please note that interviews are scheduled for Monday 5th January 2026 and Wednesday 7th January 2026.

Recruitment contact details:

Email: recruitment@southampton.gov.uk
Tel: 023 8083 4033

For more information about this campaign please visit: Southampton’s social care reform journey

For more information about SCC please visit Southampton City Council
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