Social Worker - Gweres Tus Yowynk; GTY - Helping Young

Job Description

Make a difference – Children’s Social Work in Cornwall

“Senior leaders and politicians are relentless in their drive to continue to improve the lives of Cornwall’s children and families.”

Staff’s care, commitment and child focussed approach shine through when they talk about their work. This positive working environment helps to foster a culture in which an enthusiasm and commitment to do the best for children is found at all levels in the organisation.”

Ofsted, July 2024

Social workers make a real difference to the lives of children in Cornwall. We believe that the children of Cornwall deserve the very best. We put their needs at the heart of everything we do and we are looking for people who share our determination to improve their lives and make a brighter future. If you believe in humane, relationship-based social work with children and families we offer the opportunity to develop your social work career in an innovative and ambitious children’s service in one of the most beautiful parts of the country.

We are looking for a Social Worker for the Gweres Tus Yowynk (GTY - Helping Young People). Our specialist multi‑agency adolescent service works proactively to support young people in staying at home and/or with their extended family. Our multi-disciplinary teams in the West, Mid, and East of the county comprise Social Workers, Targeted Youth Workers, Youth Justice Service Officers, and Functional Family Therapists.

You will engage in a range of statutory social work, working directly with young people, conducting social work assessments, and managing a caseload. Your role involves delivering high‑quality interventions, providing intensive support, often to families nearing crisis to prevent family breakdown allowing young people to stay within their family or wider network where appropriate. This team is dedicated to raising standards and advancing the practice of multi‑agency collaboration.

We have an opportunity for a passionate, committed Social Worker to join our innovative service meaning the needs of complex adolescents across Cornwall. The post will suit someone with experience of working with children, young people and their families. You will have an interest in adolescents including a knowledge an understanding of the impact of trauma on neurodevelopment and the issues that impact on young people including mental health needs, exploitation and substance misuse.

You will have excellent communication and assessment skills and be able to work well in a multi agency way. You will have a strong sense of the child’s lived experience at the centre of your practice.

This is a public/customer-facing role, where the statutory English language requirement for public sector workers applies. This position will be subject to an enhanced criminal record disclosure check.

Find out more about our social work careers here - Work in Adults or Children's Social Care - Cornwall Council.

• Previous experience working within a social care environment
• A proven track record of excellent practice that improves the lives of children
• High-level written and verbal communication skills to build effective professional relationships with families and other professionals
• Knowledge and understanding of the legislation, models and theories relevant to children’s social work, and the ability to evidence how you have applied your learning to your practice
• The skills to undertake assessments and to use evidence-based practice tools to devise, implement and review care plans

If your experience as a social worker is within another sector (such as Adult Social Care or the Voluntary sector), we provide additional support to transition into children and families social work through a supported induction period.

Please note:

If you have qualified within the last 2 years, but not completed your Assessed and Supported Year of Employment (ASYE) we would welcome your application as a Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW) in order to access Cornwall’s ASYE programme which runs twice yearly. You would need to apply for our NQSW adverts which are advertised separately.

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