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Social Worker

Job Details:

Job Reference: HCC624421

Salary Range: £40,643 - £49,577 per annum, inclusive of Market Supplement of up to £4,500 per annum

Work Location: Public Service Plaza, Havant

Hours per week: 37

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 5 July 2026

The Role:

As a Social Worker in the Willow Team, you will play a key role in supporting children and young people at risk of going missing, exploitation and trafficking (MET) to achieve safe, positive and lasting outcomes. Working within a specialist, multi-agency child exploitation service across Hampshire, you’ll build trusted relationships with children while collaborating with partners including police, health and youth justice to reduce risk and strengthen safeguarding.

 

You’ll manage a diverse and complex caseload, leading assessments and delivering creative, child-centred interventions. As part of an Outstanding-rated authority, you’ll be supported by a forward-thinking team that values collaboration, reflective practice and professional development.

What you’ll do:

  • Work directly with children at risk of MET, delivering targeted 1:1 interventions to reduce risk and improve wellbeing.
  • Build strong relationships that enable children to engage in plans and have their voice heard.
  • Complete robust assessments and develop outcome-focused support plans using specialist tools.
  • Manage a complex caseload, maintaining high-quality records and reports.
  • Work collaboratively with multi-agency partners to safeguard children and disrupt exploitation.
  • Contribute to planning meetings, service development and the wider MET agenda.

What we’re looking for:

  • Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
  • Experience in a UK statutory frontline children’s social work setting. 
  • Strong assessment, risk analysis and care planning skills.
  • Ability to build effective relationships and confidently advocate for children.
  • Experience of multi-agency working.
  • Organised, resilient and committed to achieving positive outcomes for children.

 

Take a look at our Candidate Pack for more information about the Social Worker role, team and our values. The ‘About you’ section explains what specific knowledge, skills and experience we want you to tell us about. Make sure you explain how you meet these requirements and demonstrate our values, in your application.

Why join us?

  • Outstanding support: Benefit from regular, reflective supervision and a culture that values your voice.
  • Career development: 5 personal development days per year and access to excellent learning opportunities through our DfE ‘Partner in Practice’ initiative.
  • Relocation assistance: Up to £8,500 available for experienced UK-based Social Workers relocating to Hampshire (subject to management approval).
  • Wellbeing support: Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.  
  • Competitive benefits package: Generous annual leave, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Find more information here.

 

Important: You must already have the right to work in the UK. We are currently unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

 

Applicants can expect to hear from us within two weeks of the advertised closing date.

 

Other job titles you may be searching for: Child Protection Social Worker, Safeguarding Social Worker, Children’s Social Worker, Exploitation Social Worker, MET Social Worker, Child Exploitation Practitioner.

Travel Requirements:

You will be required to travel to various locations within Hampshire or other local authority, and it is essential that you have a current drivers’ licence and access to a reliable vehicle on a regular basis.   

Additional Information:

Social Worker Candidate Pack

Vetting Requirements:

The post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

For general enquiries, please contact care.careers@hants.gov.uk
For an informal chat about the role, please contact Neil Connolly, Team Manager on neil.connolly@hants.gov.uk

 

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.
 

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.
 

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.


 

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