Are you looking to return to Social Work after a period of time away? Has your Social Work Registration lapsed? 

Dorset Council are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity to Return to Social Work.

If you have been away from the profession for over 2 years Dorset Council Children’s Services are able to offer a Return to Social Work programme to support your learning and development, with the opportunity to work in a social work team to support you to gain the required supervised practice to re-register with Social Work England. 

We will support and provide you with resources to help ease your transition back into the field.  

We can offer a paid placement opportunity as a family worker for up to 6 months. This will help you complete the required supervised practice days.  

This role will be responsible for the delivery of support to children, young people and families in localities, taking a whole family approach.  

At Grade 8 the post holder will:  

  • deliver direct work with children, young people, parents and families in the family home and other community locations  
  • convene and attend Team Around the Family (TAF) meetings, family plan and reviews 
  • convene and attend Child in Need meetings and Reviews
  • use relevant case management systems, databases and business intelligence tools as directed by the team manager
  • provide information, advice and guidance to children, young people and families 
  • co-work children with other professionals including social workers
  • assess parenting skills and help to build physical and emotional caring abilities through a range of practical activities 
  • deliver parenting and behaviour management support to children and families 
  • keep up to date with knowledge of local service provision 
  • coach, mentor and motivate families to make and sustain change 
  • support families during crisis situations 
  • support schools in the local area by being their link worker between family help and schools
  • have experience of working with and supporting children and or families 
  • be dedicated to improving outcomes for Dorset's children and young people 
  • be self-motivated, enthusiastic and used to working in a fast-paced environment 
  • be able to work as part of a team and use your own initiative

Alongside this paid role, we will offer an extensive support programme to support and provide you with the resources needed to help ease your transition back into the profession. 

This will include:  

  • a Children’s Services induction. This includes all mandatory training and social work training  
  • access to Learning and Development opportunities and the Academy (not professional qualifications) whilst employed and during your return period  
  • regular support and meetings to ensure learning opportunities are on target
  • two learning workshops- either alongside our ASYE cohort or as a separate group
  • access to wellbeing, coaching, mentoring and employee networks and employee benefits whilst employed
  • a guaranteed interview for employment upon successful re-registration within the fixed-term contract period

We know that returning social workers have different experiences and skills. Your workload and progress to Level 2 will match what you know and can do. 

You must have previous experience of working with Children and Families in a social care setting and you must have been previously registered with a social work body in England (HCPC or Social Work England).  

For any queries about these posts please contact amy.trim@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or sarah-louise.clark@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk