Child Social Worker

Purpose

Coordinate rights-based social work input, strengthen family and professional relationships and support coherent care and transition planning.

Reporting line

Directors with professional supervision arrangements

Working arrangements

Agreed professional schedule with planned review meetings and travel.

England; specific location and weekly hours confirmed before appointment. Maximum eight-hour shifts include one hour of paid uninterrupted break with competent cover.

Key responsibilities

• Contribute assessments and clear recommendations to care and placement reviews.
• Work with the allocated local-authority social worker without assuming their statutory authority.
• Support family contact, advocacy and children's participation in decisions.
• Identify exploitation, missing risks and barriers to education or health access.
• Coordinate transition planning and practical links to housing, training and employment.
• Maintain factual records and lawful, proportionate information sharing.
• Prepare professional reports within competence and distinguish fact from opinion.
• Escalate safeguarding concerns and challenge plans that do not meet children's needs.

Experience

15-20 years of relevant social work experience involving children, families and looked-after children.

Qualifications and registration

Qualifying master's degree in social work and current Social Work England registration for practice in England.

Essential capabilities

• Deep knowledge of children's social care law and multi-agency practice.
• Strong assessment, analytical writing and professional curiosity.
• Ability to support families while maintaining safeguarding boundaries.
• Commitment to anti-discriminatory and culturally responsive practice.

Desirable experience

Experience supporting care leavers and working with therapeutic residential services.

What good performance looks like

Care planning is coordinated, children's rights are visible and transition actions have named owners.

Benefits and safer recruitment

All employee benefits and recruitment standards apply, including 32 days holiday plus bank holidays, 8% employer pension, family medical and dental cover subject to insurer terms, and the clean driving licence criterion with reasonable adjustments where required. Required vetting is completed before a final contract.

Apply for AL12

Email hr@astha.org quoting this reference. HR will discuss the location, hours, secure application route and adjustments.