Social Worker (experienced)

Please note: To apply for this position, you must be a Qualified Social Worker and be registered with Social Work England

On the Isle of Wight our Children's Service leadership team understand that our social workers require the right environment to succeed in this challenging, rewarding and important field.

But what are we doing to make this work for you as an experienced Social Work professional?

A Fresh Start:

We've introduced a new IOW MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) and a Referral & Intervention Service, creating space for Social Workers to deliver timely interventions and achieve long-lasting change for families.

Support & Protection Redesigned:

Our service has been restructured with a strong focus on:

Innovative Leadership:

Our newly appointed Principal Social Worker is driving system improvements and implementing the Family First programme, ensuring families are at the heart of everything we do.

Collaborative Culture:

We believe in "Creating Change Together" - with regular all-staff briefings and an ethos of teamwork and shared learning

We value and respect the work you do and ensure our social work teams are given the right tools, conditions, support and guidance needed to make real change happen.

Our social workers benefit from;

• Personal assistants to help with admin, diary management, visits, and recording; so you can spend more time with families.

• Five extra days to take during the year for professional development; to support your career progression and ongoing learning.

• Our nine-day working fortnight, providing an additional 26 days' time off in lieu a year (enabling you to make the most of all the Isle of Wight lifestyle can offer.)

This is a unique and exciting time to join our team.

In January 2024, we welcomed a brand-new senior leadership team with the determination and skill to build our new Children's Service.

We are now well established and work together as one closely connected directorate, with our Children's Social Care and Education, Inclusion and Access service focused on creating change together in partnership with children and families, our partners, and community services, to improve the lives of children here on the Isle of Wight.

To continue driving forward with our ambitious goals, we need experienced, skilled, and ambitious Social Workers to join us, who share our vision to get things right for children, at the right time, in the right place, with the right support and intervention.

Are you

• Seeking a new challenge?

• Looking for a supportive and dynamic work environment?

• Keen to focus on improvement and continual learning?

If the answer is yes, we'd love to hear from you!

Our practice model is;

• relational

• strengths based

• solution focused

• restorative

We embody this model in all our relationships. We embrace an inclusive culture and will support you in your role and challenge you to be your best.

For further information or an informal discussion please contact Lauren Wicks at or by calling on .

Isle of Wight Children's Service Social Care achieved a Good Ofsted rating in 2018, which was maintained in November 2023.

Join and you'll receive our staff benefits package, including:

• Annual leave entitlement of 32 days p/a PLUS public holidays!

• Local Government pension scheme

• Discounted Solent ferry travel

• Island bus network discount

• Cycle to work scheme

• Staff parking permit scheme

• Discounted island sports & leisure gym membership

• National and local discounts & benefits schemes

• Relocation scheme of up to £8,000 may be available for some roles (subject to criteria)

• Travel allowance may be available if commuting from the mainland (subject to criteria)

Find out more about working for the Isle of Wight Council and living on the Island .