Social Worker - Children in Care

Job Introduction

Working for the Bradford Children and Families Trust offers the opportunity to work with some great people who are passionate about delivering change in a city whose culture offers as much diversity as it’s geography. You can make a real difference to families and children and be an active part in delivering the service Bradford families should receive.

We are fully committed to equal opportunities and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Working Arrangements:

Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5pm

Friday: 8.30am to 4.30pm

Flexible working arrangements can be discussed with the line manager.

About the Role

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children? We are looking for talented social workers to join our dedicated children in care team in Bradford to help shape the future of children in our care. We have a strong, visible, accessible leadership team and a supportive network of professionals dedicated to improving the lives of children. Their consistent presence ensures that our strategic vision and values are upheld, fostering a reliable and supportive environment for both staff and the children in our care.

The children in care team consists of 10 teams, each team consisting of a community resource worker, 6 social workers, an advance practitioner and a team manager. The service workers with children from the age of 0-18 years of age providing greater continuity and better outcomes for children. We have manageable caseloads and support hybrid working arrangements.

Bradford is a vibrant city with a rich cultural heritage and a strong sense of community. We pride ourselves on the strong learning culture and use this positively to develop staff and improve practice. Our approach is rooted in restorative and relational practice, fostering trust, mutual respect, and meaningful relationships with children, families, and professionals.

As we continue to grow and evolve, now is the perfect time to join us. Our recent Ofsted report acknowledges our progress, with improvements exceeding expectations ahead of time.

What we’re looking for:

As a social worker, you will:

• Collaborate with partners, identifying what children and their families need to make lasting positive change, and support children and young people to achieve permanence - whether this be in the care of the Trust, reunification with their parents or extended family.
• Support and advocate for children in care, ensuring their voices are heard in all decision making.
• Undertake comprehensive assessments and work collaboratively with families to develop plans that are led by their strengths, needs, and aspirations.
• Develop and implement care plans and pathway plans tailored to each child's needs.
• Monitor and review the progress of children in care, making adjustments to plans as needed.
• Provide emotional and practical support to children, helping them navigate challenges and build resilience.
• Have experience and strong commitment to relationship-based practice.
• Be passionate about making a difference and open to change
• Demonstrate the ability to work under pressure
• Be well organised and able to prioritise and manage risk with complex case load.

Essential Requirements;

• A degree in Social work or equivalent
• To be registered with the Social Work England as a qualified social worker.
• A full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle for work purposes - adjustments can be considered for candidates with a disability.
• Expertise in managing the delivery of quality outcomes for children and young people.
• An ability to build strong relationships with children, their families, colleagues and partner agencies.
• An ability to write high-quality reports and assessments and analyse information effectively.
• Experience of managing a caseload in a statutory setting, with ability to problem solve, negotiate and manage conflict.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, for positive engagement with children and families and productive relationship building in a multi-agency environment.

You’ll also be joining an organisation that truly values its people, offering a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and work-life balance, including:

• Retention Payment: You will be eligible for our annual retention payment, paid in 12 monthly instalments. This is non contractual (reviewed annually)
• Generous annual leave - 31 days rising to 34 with service, plus bank holidays
• Excellent Local Government pension
• Family-friendly policies and enhanced parental leave
• Health & wellbeing support, including Occupational Health and counselling
• Professional development and career progression opportunities
• we are a National Living Wage employer
• Supportive staff networks
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Support from a highly motivated and skilled team
• Regular supervision
• Access to Blue Light Card discounts, including cost of living support

For full details of our benefits, please see the attached ‘Our Benefits’ brochure.

Bradford Children and Families Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.

If shortlisted, you will be required to disclose relevant information regarding criminal history prior to interview.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check including a check against the Children’s barred list, will be carried out on preferred candidates.

To arrange an informal discussion, please contact Jean Johnson on Jean.Johnson@bradfordcft.org.uk

Closing Date: 20th September 2026

Interviews: tbc