• Suffolk County Council
• Address: The MiX, 127 Ipswich Street, Stowmarket or Beacon House, Landmark Business Park, Ipswich – Hybrid
• Salary: £43,723 – £47,054 plus a retention payment of up to £3,500 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: 37 hours per week – flexible working options available
• Contract: Permanent
• Post 1 – Central Suffolk, Stowmarket
• Post 2 – Ipswich South, Ipswich

When you join the Child in Need Teams as a Consultant Social Worker we’ll support your development from the start. We’ll help you to play to your strengths, diversify your skills and build an influential and impactful career. With a variety of career paths and learning opportunities to explore, if you’re motivated and passionate there’s no limit to how far your ambition could take you.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

You will form part of our management team and will:

• work directly with children, young people and their families to bring about meaningful and sustainable improvements in their lives.
• provide support to children in need, those subject to child protection plans, and looked-after children, ensuring their safety and wellbeing.
• take responsibility for high-risk and complex cases, applying advanced social work knowledge and skills to assess and intervene effectively.
• offer guidance and professional support to less experienced social workers, contributing to team development and quality practice.
• use research and best practice models to inform interventions and decision-making, ensuring high standards of care and safeguarding.
• work closely with other professionals and agencies to coordinate care and support for children and families, promoting integrated working.
• contribute to service development by identifying areas for improvement and supporting innovation in practice and delivery.
• uphold ethical and legal responsibilities, including accurate record-keeping, compliance with policies, and commitment to professional development.
• supervise staff and deputise for the practice manager
• be at the forefront of using the Signs of Safety (signsofsafety.net) development – this is the government-backed, national innovative, strengths-based, safety-organised approach to child protection casework. Having fully embedded this into our practice, this is one of the strongest attributes that our service has to offer and what all of our practitioners possess; this will enable you to become a part of a small, select and skilled group of practitioners working in the UK and across the world.

You will need:

• a relevant Social Work qualification and Social Work England registration.

• substantial social work experience of working with children and families.

• management and leadership qualification.

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 Teams provide statutory Social Care services to “Children in Need”, children subject to Child Protection Plans, Children “Looked After” and consultancy across Family Support services – a potential broader/flexible role within teams as they progress into fully “multi-agency” teams.

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 be. 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

For a casual conversation, please contact the following: Central Suffolk vacancy: Laura Goldsmith by calling 01449745155 or Ipswich South vacancy: Susie Mantle by calling 01473264320

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 indicating how you meet each of the criteria in the ‘Person Profile’ section of the JPP.

• You should use the Supporting Statement template.

• Please use Arial font size 11 and keep your statement to a maximum of two sides of A4.

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 recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk 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, 3 November 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. #LI-Hybrid

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).