Senior Social Worker Level 3 – Wiltshire Council

Wiltshire Council is looking for an experienced Senior Social Worker to join its Family Help and Safeguarding Service in Chippenham, Wiltshire. This permanent, full-time opportunity is suited to a qualified social work professional who has strong experience supporting children and families and is confident handling complex safeguarding cases.

The successful candidate will play an important role in protecting children, supporting families and helping young people achieve better long-term outcomes. The position also offers opportunities to provide professional guidance to colleagues, contribute to service improvements and take on greater responsibilities within children's social care.

About the Role

This is a senior-level opportunity within Wiltshire Council's Family Help and Safeguarding Service. The team works to protect children, strengthen families and provide support when young people are at risk or need additional care.

As a Level 3 Social Worker, you will take responsibility for complex cases involving children in need, children subject to child protection plans and children in care. You will carry out assessments, make professional decisions and work with families to identify the support needed to improve children's safety and wellbeing.

The role also involves working closely with other professionals and partner organisations. You will have the opportunity to share your experience, guide less experienced social workers and contribute to improving the quality of services delivered to children and families.

Main Responsibilities

Your responsibilities will cover a range of children's social care and safeguarding activities, including:

• Managing complex cases involving children and families with additional support needs.
• Working with children in need, children on child protection plans and children in care.
• Completing detailed assessments to understand children's circumstances and identify potential risks.
• Carrying out statutory enquiries and safeguarding investigations where required.
• Developing and reviewing care plans that focus on children's safety and long-term welfare.
• Leading and participating in multi-agency meetings with relevant professionals.
• Preparing detailed reports for child protection conferences and court proceedings.
• Working closely with parents, carers and families to achieve positive changes.
• Providing guidance, mentoring and support to less experienced social workers.
• Contributing to supervision and reflective practice within the team.
• Using professional judgement when dealing with complex safeguarding situations.
• Taking part in quality assurance activities and service improvement projects.
• Building effective working relationships with partner agencies and other professionals.

Qualifications and Experience

Wiltshire Council is seeking a qualified Social Worker with substantial experience in children's social care. Applicants should be confident managing complex situations and able to provide professional leadership when working with families and other agencies.

The main requirements include:

• A recognised Social Work qualification.
• Current registration with Social Work England.
• Significant post-qualifying experience working with children and families.
• Strong knowledge of children's safeguarding legislation and statutory responsibilities.
• A good understanding of court processes and social work procedures.
• Experience completing assessments and managing complex cases.
• Ability to prepare professional reports for conferences and court hearings.
• Strong communication, assessment and decision-making skills.
• Confidence supporting and mentoring other social work professionals.
• The ability to work effectively with families and multi-agency partners.

Applicants should read the official Role Description and Person Specification carefully before applying.

Salary and Employee Benefits

The advertised salary for this position is between £50,890 and £53,565 per year. This amount includes a 15% market supplement payment, which is reviewed annually and may be subject to change.

Wiltshire Council aims to provide a supportive workplace where employees can develop professionally while maintaining a reasonable work-life balance.

Employees can benefit from:

• Permanent full-time employment.
• Opportunities to develop professional skills and experience.
• Supportive management and reflective supervision.
• Access to ongoing training and learning opportunities.
• Opportunities to mentor colleagues and influence service development.
• Hybrid working arrangements where appropriate to the role.
• Employee benefits and staff support networks.
• A workplace that promotes inclusion, dignity and respect.

You can find further information about working for Wiltshire Council and its employee benefits.

Visa Sponsorship for International Applicants

Wiltshire Council welcomes applications from candidates who require Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. However, there is an important restriction that international applicants should understand before applying.

The council has confirmed that it is currently unable to issue a Defined Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) because of limitations in its sponsorship capacity.

This means that although candidates requiring sponsorship are welcome to apply, the employer cannot currently provide the Defined CoS needed for eligible applicants applying for a Skilled Worker visa from outside the UK.

Therefore, candidates who need a new visa sponsorship arrangement should contact the council before submitting an application and confirm whether any sponsorship options are available.

For official immigration information, visit the UK Skilled Worker visa guidance.

Child Safeguarding and Professional Standards

Safeguarding is a central part of this position. The successful candidate will be expected to promote children's welfare, recognise potential risks and work with families and partner organisations to protect young people.

Social workers may also find it useful to review the official Working Together to Safeguard Children guidance, which explains how organisations and professionals work together to protect children.

Working Arrangements

Wiltshire Council offers a hybrid working model, although the arrangements depend on the responsibilities of each position.

Office-based employees spend at least half of their working hours on site. Community-based employees complete at least half of their administrative work in a workplace, while customer-facing responsibilities are carried out at the relevant service location.

The council also places importance on creating an inclusive workplace where staff feel supported, respected and able to contribute to their best.

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted through Wiltshire Council's official recruitment website. Search for Job Identification Number 7071 or the job reference CA11-1157 to find this vacancy.

This is a rolling recruitment advert, meaning applications are reviewed continuously and interviews are arranged weekly. The council may stop accepting applications once it has received enough suitable candidates, so interested applicants should apply without unnecessary delay.

Recruitment Contact

• Contact Person: Isla Church, Team Manager
• Email: isla.church@wiltshire.gov.uk
• Telephone: 01249 707947
• Work Location: Monkton Park, Chippenham, SN15 1ER
• Closing Date: 4 December 2026, subject to early closure.

Applicants should regularly check their email inbox, including spam and junk folders, for recruitment updates.

Final Thoughts

This Level 3 Social Worker position at Wiltshire Council offers an opportunity for experienced children's social care professionals to take on a senior role in Chippenham. With an advertised salary of up to £53,565, a permanent contract and opportunities to support colleagues and influence service development, it could be a valuable career move for suitably qualified professionals.

However, international applicants should carefully consider the council's sponsorship restrictions. The employer currently cannot issue Defined Certificates of Sponsorship because of limited sponsorship capacity, so visa sponsorship should not be assumed when applying.

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