Social Work Assistant

Job Title

Social Work Assistant

Salary

C1 £25,598 – £31,022

Location and Hours

• One role based at Richmond Hill, East Leeds for 30 hours per week
• Two roles based at Fairfield, West Leeds for 37 hours per week

All roles are permanent and will consider full‑time, part‑time or job‑share candidates.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Social Work Assistant role within the Family Time Team. The role is temporarily based at Richmond Hill and runs until approximately December 2027.

Main Responsibilities

• Supervise and support family time sessions between looked‑after children and their families, both at the centre and in community settings across the city, including during care proceedings
• Assist with family time sessions in community settings, helping children and families connect and empowering kinship carers to undertake supervision or support of family time
• Communicate information effectively, accurately and concisely between children, families, carers, social work colleagues and other agencies
• Maintain thorough and accurate records, including observation reports that may be required as evidence during care proceedings
• Work safely and sensitively with vulnerable families, children and young people, responding appropriately to dynamic and challenging situations and safeguarding concerns
• Transport children and families to and from family time
• Provide or assist with services to meet welfare rights and support users in financial matters, debts and welfare benefits
• Undertake financial assessments and give appropriate advice and support
• Make enquiries of alleged neglect, abuse or ill‑treatment of children under the oversight of experienced Social Workers
• Support wide range of assessments: pre‑birth, risk, child and family assessment
• Undertake family work relating to preventative work, offering guidance and support alongside the Social Worker and/or Team Manager
• Carry out specific tasks with children who have a child protection plan under oversight of an experienced Social Worker
• Work in partnership with other professionals and agencies to meet outcomes for children
• Maintain case records accurately and prepare relevant documentation as required by the local Authority and other agencies according to policy and practice
• Arrange and supervise children in care to see parents or other significant family members to meet child requirements
• Transport children and families to medical examinations and appointments where necessary
• Undertake direct work with children, including obtaining their wishes and feelings, supporting them throughout the assessment process, and Life Story work
• Assist young people in independent living, building a support package where they cannot live at home
• Engage with families positively, respectfully and responsively, enable them to gain the most from the support, and where needed support alternative care planning for children and young people
• Attend and participate in Child Protection Conferences, Core Group meetings, family group conferences or other relevant meetings as required, contributing to care planning
• Offer support and encouragement to parent/carer, relate to the development and well‑being of their children, enable them to remain with their families/carers safely where appropriate
• Respond to families in crisis, quickly identify a package of support
• Attend court to give evidence under close supervision of Team Manager when required
• Participate in appropriate training and development activities to keep knowledge and skills up to date
• Maintain effective relationships with staff at all levels, Council Directorates, elected members, external agencies and the general public
• Be flexible and adaptable to change, assisting other services as required commensurate to grade
• Participate in appraisal, training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills
• Improve own practice through observation, evaluation and discussion with colleagues and development programmes
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice
• Contribute to the overall ethos, work and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days and events as requested
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures: child protection, health, safety, security, confidentiality, data protection, and report all concerns appropriately
• Support equality, inclusivity, and anti‑discriminatory practice, upholding Council values and standards; recognise and challenge racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities
• Work within the flexibility protocol adopted by the Council
• Any other duties consistent with the post and job evaluation outcome

What We Are Looking For

• A genuine passion for working with children, young people and families
• Strong communication skills, ability to engage with families, partner agencies and support positive change
• Attention to detail, able to produce clear, concise records and reports
• Resilience and adaptability in complex, rapidly changing circumstances
• Motivated to work as part of a team and with other professionals in a multi‑disciplinary workforce

What We Offer

Comprehensive employee experience including a competitive salary, annual leave, statutory holidays, membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions, flexible or hybrid working arrangements as service requires, career pathway, ongoing professional development, and a range of staff benefits supporting wellbeing and financial value.

Benefits and Diversity

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and cultures; we encourage women, carers, veterans, LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care‑experienced people to apply.

Eligibility to Work in the UK

Applicants must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencing employment. This includes UK or Irish citizenship, EU Settlement Scheme, or a valid work visa. Unless you have the right to work in the UK, consider your eligibility for sponsorship via the Skilled Worker visa route.

Legal and Policy Statements

Employees must comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures, including child protection, health, safety, security, confidentiality, data protection and equality and diversity policies. All applicants are accepted under the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where applicable. The Council has a recruitment of ex‑offenders policy. Applicants are welcomed from all backgrounds.

Key Skills and Qualifications

• Ability to work flexibly across locations and areas
• Ability to work with diverse service users and carers with a range of needs and behaviours
• Relate effectively to individuals and groups, particularly children, young people and families from diverse backgrounds
• Participate effectively in multidisciplinary teams with professionals from other agencies
• Pass information accurately, concisely and effectively between users, carers, colleagues and agencies
• Produce high‑quality records and reports
• Basic understanding of legislation, current issues in Children’s Social Care, confidentiality and child development issues including adolescence and transition to adulthood
• Experience working within a team, with children, young people, families from diverse backgrounds, with other relevant agencies, and undertaking assessments

Behavioural and Characteristics Required

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council values and behaviours
• Commit to continuous improvement and delivering the Best City ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Demonstrate understanding of and adherence to equality and diversity policies
• Maintain all duties with regard to health and safety policies
• Participate actively in training and development activities
• Be flexible and adaptable to changes and assist other services as required commensurate to grade
• Be aware of and comply with Council policies and procedures
• Support equality, inclusivity, and anti‑discriminatory practice; recognise and challenge racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation and any abuse of equal opportunities
• Work within the Council’s flexibility protocol

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