Social Worker - Children in Care

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job title Social Worker
- Children in Care Job reference  Date posted 28/09/2026 Final date to receive applications 18/10/2026 Working Pattern Blank Salary Newly Qualified Social Worker, Grade J £39,513 to £43,693 a year. Qualified Social Worker, Grade K £44,711 to £47,754 a year Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time Job category/type Social Care
- Children Attachments Blank Job description Salary:
Newly Qualified £39,513 to £43,693, Qualified £44,711 to £47,754 a year
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract Type:
Permanent
Location:
Shot Tower
DBS Requirement:
Yes
- Enhanced
Closing Date: 18/10/2026 Derby City Council is committed to achieving positive outcomes for children, young people and their families. We are proud of our Ofsted judgement of Outstanding. In Derby we aren’t complacent about this and recognise that our workforce is key to delivering a good service. We operate a Strength Based Practice Model. We are committed to listening to the voice of our children, our approach to this is My Life My Journey.

This means that we listen to and consider children’s views from the point of contact through to permanency. In Derby we respect culture and heritage, we have embedded our Heritage Pledge, the aim of which is to value children and their families as individual’s and respect their culture, religion, and identity. Our workforce understands the needs of children and are skilful in identifying risk and considering the impact on the individual child.

We want like minded Social Workers to join our workforce and become part of Derby’s journey. If Derby sounds like a place you’d like to work, you will be part of a supportive team, have access to regular supervision, peer support and continuing professional development. If you are newly qualified, you will have development opportunities during your ASYE and further opportunities to develop as an experienced Social Worker.

We would like social workers to apply who are committed to advocating on behalf of and will help our children and young people achieve good outcomes. Our social workers will be expected to contribute to effective care planning, including pathway planning with our children and young people, across a variety of placements. The Children in Care service work with children and young people whose Care Plan has been agreed or ratified as being one of remaining in our care, up to their 18th birthday.

We work closely with a range of professionals, including health, education, leaving care, youth offending and adult social care colleagues. Children in Care social workers will meet statutory requirements which are in place to safeguard our children and young people, along with ensuring they have the best possible support to enable them to achieve their best outcomes. The Children in Care service is committed to ensuring our Corporate Parenting obligations are met along with our Pledge to Children in Care and Care Leavers.

Derby has a vibrant Children in Care Council. We expect that the voice of our children and young people is embedded into their care plans and taken into account when decisions are made which will affect them.

At Derby City Council, we're proud to deliver over 250 essential services that support our residents, communities and businesses. Guided by our vision to create an Inclusive, Green, Growing and Vibrant City, we put people at the heart of everything we do. Our values shape how we work every day. We believe in Great People, One Team, we're Bold in embracing change, Strong in delivering for our communities, and We Care about making a positive…