Social Worker - Children in Care

We are looking for a highly motivated, reflective, and experienced practitioner to join our Children in Care Teams. You will be a strong team player with great communication skills and a commitment to working collaboratively. Professional social work qualification is essential for this post. The post holder will be an integral part of our Children in Care and Care Leavers Service and will demonstrate a commitment to children and young people in care, providing high quality care and support to children aged 0-18 years. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of children and young people in care and their needs. You will be able to develop and maintain positive relationships with the children and young people that we support and care for whilst evidencing the importance of effective Care Planning and Permanency planning. The council’s approach is rooted in trauma-informed and systemic practice, ensuring empathetic and holistic interventions. Social workers are equipped with bespoke training, including trauma-informed practice and motivational interviewing, to deliver high-quality support. Cheshire West and Chester offer a supportive work environment with strong leadership, reflective practice frameworks, and a culture of shared learning. We have Magic Notes in Cheshire West and this is delivering clear benefits for both practitioners and managers, significantly reducing written administration by an average of six hours per week and allowing social workers to spend more time on direct practice. As a result, 71% of practitioners report increased job enjoyment and improved work–life balance. Practitioners describe being more physically and emotionally present with families, able to maintain eye contact, focus fully during assessments and meetings, and allow conversations to flow naturally, with positive feedback from families. The tool also reduces admin-related stress, enabling quicker case recording, deeper analysis, and greater focus on understanding lived experience, while improving accessibility for staff with additional needs such as dyslexia. From a management perspective, Magic Notes has improved morale, strengthened relationships with children and families, enhanced care planning and direct work, and is seen by all managers as having a positive impact on recruitment and retention, with most identifying it as a key factor in attracting and keeping staff. The council is committed to professional growth, with many senior roles filled by individuals who have progressed internally. High-quality training and development opportunities are available, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. A recent survey with Frontline highlighted strong child-focused leadership, clear practice standards, and high-quality supervision. Staff feel trusted, supported, and valued, with many recommending Cheshire West and Chester as an excellent place to work. As a local authority, we continue to develop and enhance our social work offer to support and develop our valued workforce. Benefits Flexible remote working Bright, modern, recently refurbished office environments Free parking at all office locations Competitive salary and working rewards Up to 16 days’ flexi leave per year, in addition to annual leave Social Work England registration paid for by the council High-quality supervision Strong reflective practice framework Excellent training opportunities Clear progression and developmental opportunities We offer competitive rates of pay depending on experience Grade 8- SCP 23- 28, £34,434 - £39,152 Grade 9- SCP 27- 31, £38,220 – £41,771 Grade 10- SCP 31- 35, £41,771 – £48,072 Contact Please see Job Description / Person Specification. If you would like to discuss the opportunities available, please contact Senior Manager - Louise Mcalley at View email address on click.appcast.io #J-18808-Ljbffr