Senior Social Worker en ORC External

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Riverside, 4 Canning Road, Lowestoft, NR33 0EQ
• Salary: £40,215 - £45,595 per annum (pro rata for part time) (plus up to £4000 retention payment per annum)
• Hours: 37 per week - flexible working options available
• Contract: Fixed term or secondment for 1 year

Your role and responsibilities

You will work with families and provide an intensive, solution-focused, strength-based, trauma informed intervention. We work in collaboration with case responsible social workers using one of the three models:

• Edge of care: An intensive 12 week intervention, working with the whole family to prevent children entering the care system where it is assessed as safe to do so.
• Reunification: An intensive intervention of up to 20 weeks to support children in care to return home to their parents or someone within their connected network.
• Restore and prevent: An intensive 12 week intervention to sustain placements for Children in Care where there is potential breakdown.

You will need

• a relevant social work qualification and Social Work England registration
• to hold a full and current driving licence and have access to personal transport or meet the mobility requirements of the role through other reasonable and suitable means

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (word).  If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply.  Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application

The Team

The Family Solutions Team operates across Suffolk, with offices in Lowestoft, Ipswich, and Bury St Edmunds. As part of the team, you’ll benefit from:

• Regular supervision to support your professional development.
• Access to essential training through our Progression Scheme, designed to help you grow your career and feel confident in your role.
• Clinical supervision from an experienced professional, which not only supports your wellbeing but also enhances the care we provide to children and young people.

Our team includes Senior Social Workers, Social Workers, Family Support Practitioners, and a Drug and Alcohol Recovery Worker, all bringing a wide range of skills and expertise. You’ll have the opportunity to develop your social work practice within a supportive and collaborative team environment.

We pride ourselves on strong partnership working, giving you the chance to build meaningful relationships across various services. This helps you shape your role now and opens up future opportunities.
 

Empowering Everyone

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas.  We're always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can.  We want to represent the diverse communities we serve.  We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Emma Orchard, Practice Manager, for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01728 652373.

If you wish to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first.  Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application.

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (word).

Step 2 - click 'Apply Now' to start your online application

Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question).  You should use the Supporting Statement template.

1. Can you describe a time when you worked intensively with a family to prevent a child from entering care? What approach did you take, and what was the outcome?
2. Describe a time when you identified a safeguarding concern. What actions did you take, and how did you ensure the child’s safety?
3. Tell us about a complex case you managed. How did you balance the needs of the child, the family, and statutory responsibilities?
   
    

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences.  Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected.  We ask you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing [email protected] or calling 03456 014412. if you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.

Closing date: 11:30pm, 21 September 2025

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.