Children's Social Workers - Level 2​/PLO and Court Team

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- Dorset

Dynamics Position No. and Role Profile Code bcpcouncil/TP/102/3885

Number of Positions:

3

Contract Type:

Permanent

Band 10 - Starting Salary £45,529 & Band 11 - Starting Salary £49,817

Working Hours:

37 hours per week

Location:

Dorset

Closing Date:

21/10/2026

Job Category:

Children's Social Care

Region / Division:

Children's Services

Business Unit:

Safeguarding and Early Help

Location: Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP), Dorset
Salary: Competitive + Local Government Pension + Potential Relocation Scheme
Contract: Full-time & Part-Time, Permanent

Make a real difference in children's lives. Join us at BCP Council.

We're proud to have achieved a GOOD Ofsted rating (Dec 2024), and we’re on an exciting improvement journey. Now, we’re looking for experienced, passionate Social Workers to join our specialist PLO & Court Teams and help us deliver outstanding care and support to the children and families who need us most.

Our workforce says it best:
Career progression is encouraged within BCP - it’s a rewarding job and something I absolutely love .
It’s a lovely place to live and work. Dorset is a wonderful county, and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are vibrant, busy urban areas right on the sea front.
I’ve never felt so supported  

Our two specialist PLO & Court Teams work with families where concerns have reached the threshold for pre-proceedings. Families are presented at Legal Gateway Panel to consider if the threshold is met and to devise a plan of support. If so, the family is invited to a formal PLO meeting with legal representation to collaborate on an action plan to reduce risks to the child (ren).

You’ll work closely with families to address needs and risks, supporting them with issues such as domestic abuse, adult mental health, and substance misuse. We also work with the Parental Substance Misuse Court (PSMC). Issuing care proceedings is always the last resort—the PLO process represents a genuine opportunity to work collaboratively with families to avoid court where possible.

There is a strong emphasis on securing permanency for children and exploring family support networks to reduce risk and increase safety. For children who require permanency outside the home, you’ll work jointly with the Children in Care Team or Aspire Adoption Team to ensure smooth transitions.

• Significant experience in frontline safeguarding social work
• Ability to manage complex referrals and casework
• Strong analytical, decision - making, and conflict resolution skills
• Experience mentoring less experienced staff or students
• Commitment to continuous professional development
• Willingness to undertake Practice Education training if not already qualified

You’ll also need to be able to travel across the BCP area.

• Full induction & Practice Fundamentals support
• Clear career progression & excellent learning opportunities
• Manageable caseloads & regular supervision
• 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• Flexible working arrangements in refurbished offices
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Relocation Scheme

If you’re reflective, proactive, resilient, and passionate about putting children's voices at the heart of everything you do, we’d love to hear from you.

Find out more about our new terms and conditions in our 'More than just a job' brochure on our careers site.
For an informal discussion, contact Vanessa Johns, Service Manager for Children and Families First and PLO & Court at van
.

Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work…