Location: Derby, England, United Kingdom
Employer: Derby City Council
Job Type: Fixed-Term Contract (12 Months)
Working Hours: 37 Hours Per Week
Salary: £46,142 – £49,282 per year
Application Deadline: 17 July 2026
Interview Date: 7 August 2026
About the Role
Derby City Council is seeking an experienced and dedicated Social Worker to join its newly established Exit from Care Team. This innovative team focuses on helping children safely return to their birth families or achieve permanent family arrangements through legal pathways such as Special Guardianship Orders (SGOs) and Child Arrangements Orders.
Working within Derby’s strengths-based practice model, you will play a key role in supporting children and families while ensuring that all interventions are child-centred, evidence-based, and aligned with national social care reforms.
Key Responsibilities
Assessment of Children and Families
- Conduct comprehensive assessments of children’s needs, parenting capacity, and family functioning.
- Evaluate risks and protective factors to determine safe reunification opportunities.
- Complete viability and Special Guardianship assessments in accordance with statutory guidance.
Care and Permanency Planning
- Develop and implement effective care plans.
- Establish clear objectives, timelines, and outcomes for reunification or special guardianship arrangements.
Direct Work with Children
- Build positive and trusting relationships with children.
- Ensure children’s wishes, feelings, and lived experiences are central to decision-making.
Family and Guardian Support
- Work collaboratively with parents, family members, and prospective guardians.
- Provide guidance regarding the responsibilities and implications of reunification and special guardianship.
Safeguarding and Risk Management
- Monitor children’s welfare through visits, reviews, and multi-agency collaboration.
- Develop and review safety plans where concerns regarding neglect, harm, or exploitation exist.
Court and Special Guardianship Responsibilities
- Prepare robust Special Guardianship assessments and support plans.
- Contribute to court proceedings with balanced, evidence-based recommendations.
Multi-Agency Collaboration
- Work closely with schools, healthcare professionals, CAMHS, commissioned services, and partner agencies to coordinate support and improve outcomes.
Essential Requirements
Qualifications
- Recognised Social Work qualification (BA, MA, DipSW, or equivalent).
- Current registration with Social Work England.
Experience
- Significant post-qualification experience in frontline children’s social work.
- Experience with care proceedings and court-related work.
- Proven involvement in securing permanency arrangements for children, including reunification, SGOs, Child Arrangements Orders, or long-term fostering.
Knowledge and Skills
- Strong understanding of safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance.
- Knowledge of care planning and permanence planning frameworks.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to make evidence-based decisions while balancing risk and protective factors.
- Strong commitment to strengths-based, child-centred practice.
- Ability to contribute to service development and innovative working practices.
Benefits
Derby City Council offers an excellent benefits package, including:
- Flexible working arrangements
- Hybrid working opportunities
- Modern office environment
- Ongoing professional development and career progression
- 27 days annual leave, increasing to 32 days after five years of service
- Bank holidays
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Team Derby Rewards retail and leisure discounts
- Tusker Car Benefit Scheme
- Cycle2Work Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Wellbeing support initiatives
- Equality and inclusion employee networks
- Support for carers
Why Join Derby City Council?
Join a forward-thinking local authority committed to improving outcomes for children and families. You’ll become part of a supportive and innovative team that values professional growth, reflective supervision, and collaborative working.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit an application through the Derby City Council recruitment portal before 17 July 2026.
For an informal discussion regarding the role, contact Johanna Barker (Deputy Head of Service) via email at Johanna.barker@derby.gov.uk to arrange a telephone conversation.
Closing Date: 17 July 2026
Interview Date: 7 August 2026
Equal Opportunities
Derby City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The Council welcomes applications from all backgrounds and is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader, committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.