How you’ll make a difference
As a Social Work Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting children and their families to achieve meaningful, positive change. Your work will make a real difference to vulnerable local families, helping to improve outcomes for children.
You will give children a voice, building trusting relationships and empowering them to express their wishes, thoughts and feelings. By providing targeted, compassionate support, you will focus on the interventions that make the greatest impact on their well-being and future.
What you will be doing
- You will supervise family time, supporting and appropriately challenging parents while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the child at all times.
- Working under the direction of social workers, you will contribute to the development and review of plans and services, helping to shape effective interventions that drive positive outcomes.
- It will be your responsibility to identify and respond to any safeguarding concerns, escalating issues in line with safeguarding procedures to protect vulnerable children and families. This includes maintaining accurate, confidential records in accordance with professional standards and council guidelines.
- You will work directly with children and their families, providing targeted family support and delivering defined pieces of work under the direction of a qualified social worker.
- Collaboration will be key, as youliaise with social workers and external contacts, including education and health services, to ensure clear, effective communication and a coordinated approach to support.
What we need from you
- We require you to be educated to GCSE level (or equivalent), with considerable experience working within children and families service. This experience should include involvement in assessment, service delivery and the preparation of clear, accurate written records and reports.
- You will have a strong understanding and experience of dynamic risk assessment, with the ability to identify potential risks when planning and undertaking tasks, and to take appropriate, timely action in response.
- Given the nature of the role, you will be able to demonstrate a sound knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations and professional codes of practice.
- Ideally, you will have experience and/or knowledge of child protection issues.
What you need to know
This role sits within an area currently undergoing a period of change due to the government-led social care reform. As the sector evolves, some elements of the role may naturally develop too – offering opportunities to grow, adapt and be part of meaningful change. We’ll keep you fully informed throughout and make sure you feel supported, valued and confident as the updates arise. It’s an exciting time to join us and help shape the future for our children and families.
- This role is for a limited term ending 31st March 2027.
- Your working pattern is as follows, 7.4 hours on a Monday and Tuesday and 3.7 hours on Wednesday morning.
We are also offering this as an internal secondmentopportunity,you should first seek your line managers permission before applying.
- Please note that due to the nature of this role it is a requirement of employment that an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is obtained for this post.
- You will be expected to travel throughout the authority and surrounding area so you must have a full, valid driving licence with regular access to a vehicle or have an alternative means of travel.
- Business insurance will need to be included in your current car insurance policy.
Interviews will be held on 30th July 2026.
How a career at South Gloucestershire Council is different
- As part of our benefits package, you will receivegenerous annual leave(pro rata), employeewellbeing supportand you will have access to a range ofstaffdiscounts,including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities.
- We recognise that ourdiverse teamof skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and developed on the basis of their merits and abilities.
- We know our team work best when they have balance in their lives and we offer genuineflexibilityto help them achieve thatwork/life balance.
- We value our staff as individuals, investing in their careers and we are recognized for the quality, breadth and depth of ourtraining and developmentoffer, which helps make the greatest long-term difference in work.
- We arecommitted to safeguardingand promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Ensuring all our staff are given right skills, knowledge and support to recognise and respond effectively to potential abuse or neglect.
Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here.
- We’re building and shaping communities which people are proud of.
- We’re working with the most vulnerable in our community to help them achieve what they want in life.
- We’re investing in our schools to ensure every child and young person in South Gloucestershire achieves their full potential.
We’ve achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference.
Were making a difference, be part of it!
To view the full job description, please click this link Social Work Assistant – Children’s Social Care
…