Job Description

| Salary £36,363 - £46,142 per annum | Permanent, Full Time, 37 hours per week | Family Safeguarding - Preston

This role is not open to international sponsorship

Children’s Social Worker

Family Safeguarding Team
Preston, Lancashire | Up to £46,142 (Dependent on Experience)

Ready for Your Next Step in Social Work?

Whether you’re an experienced practitioner or newly qualified, if you’re passionate about making a difference, Lancashire’s Family Safeguarding Service will support you to thrive and develop your career.

If you’re a Newly Qualified Social Worker or Qualified but haven’t yet completed a statutory placement, We can still support you with:

• Career guidance into statutory social work
• Interview preparation and advice

• Insight into future opportunities within Lancashire

Come and Meet the Team – Taster Session

Thinking about joining us? Why not come along and meet the team first!

We’re hosting a taster day where you’ll get the chance to:

• Meet the colleagues you’ll be working with
• Get a feel for our team culture and environment
• Ask questions and see what a typical day looks like

It’s a great opportunity to experience what it’s like to be part of the team before you make your decision.

We’d love to see you there!

This is your opportunity to join a forward-thinking, supportive service where you’ll have the time, structure, and backing to deliver meaningful work with children and families.

Why Join Lancashire?

At Lancashire County Council, we’ve built a progressive and innovative Family Safeguarding model that puts collaboration and relationships at the centre of practice.

You’ll benefit from:

• Manageable caseloads so you can focus on quality, not quantity
• A stable and supportive management team
• A genuinely collaborative, multi-agency approach
• The chance to deliver relationship-based, impactful social work

Working in Family Safeguarding

Our Family Safeguarding teams are made up of specialist professionals working alongside social workers, including:

• Domestic Abuse Practitioners
• Domestic Abuse Officers
• Mental Health Practitioners
• Child & Family Practitioners

This model allows you to:

• Work more effectively with families through joined-up interventions
• Focus on sustainable, long-term change
• Reduce risk through shared expertise and support
• Build stronger, more meaningful relationships with children and parents

We use a strengths-based approach and Motivational Interviewing to empower families and improve outcomes.

About the Role

As a Children’s Social Worker, you will:

• Manage a caseload including Child in Need and Child Protection work
• Manage cases within the Public Law Outline.
• Complete assessments, planning, and direct work with families
• Work within a supportive multidisciplinary team
• Deliver high-quality, reflective practice
• Help keep families together safely wherever possible

About You

Our children and young people tell us they want social workers who are:

• Kind and compassionate
• Reliable and thoughtful
• Flexible and understanding
• Able to spend time with them and really listen
• Committed to helping them feel safe and happy

If this sounds like you, you’ll be a great fit for our teams.

Training & Development

Your growth matters to us. We offer:

• A comprehensive induction via our Social Work Academy
• Ongoing training in Family Safeguarding and Motivational Interviewing
• Regular supervision, reflection, and peer support
• Clear opportunities to progress and develop your career

What We Offer

We recognise the importance of work-life balance and supporting your wellbeing:

• 26 days annual leave, rising to 32 + bank holidays
• Option to purchase up to 20 additional days
• Flexible working options
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to discounts, salary sacrifice schemes, and more

Apply Today

Closing Date: 31 July 2026
Interviews: Weekly

To apply, please submit your CV/Resume.

Lancashire’s ASYE offer provides a comprehensive, structured programme designed to support newly qualified social workers to thrive from day one. Through the Social Work Academy, you will begin with a two‑week mandatory induction, followed by recall days at key milestones across your first year to support both portfolio development and your ongoing professional growth.

Our academy will provide you with bespoke learning opportunities, designed to enhance and build on your existing social work knowledge and equip you with the skills and confidence for successful practice and a long-term career in Lancashire. You’ll benefit from externally commissioned workshops focused on reflective practice, critical thinking, emotional intelligence and resilience, alongside regular drop‑in sessions, peer support networks and access to experienced Practice Development Managers.

Our Academy also features inspiring guest speakers, such as Vicky Shevlin (Social Work Sorted) and Smash Life, who contribute to your professional and personal development, alongside monthly Lunch & Learn sessions where guest speakers share insight into their services. With 10% protected learning time, opportunities to connect with over 30 services at the Social Work Academy Fayre, and 1:1 support where needed, Lancashire is committed to ensuring you feel valued, supported and confident in your practice. Your journey is recognised and celebrated, culminating in a formal ASYE celebration event to acknowledge your achievements and progression.

Additional Information

In return Lancashire County Council offers a range of benefits, which can be found on LCC Vacancies website.

We reserve the right to close down a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications.

Join Lancashire and be part of a service where you’re supported to do your best work and make a lasting difference for children and families.

& Person Specification