Social Work Assistant

Southglos; Patchway; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government body is seeking a Social Work Assistant to support vulnerable families in Patchway. You'll supervise family interactions, work under Social Workers, and maintain safeguarding standards. Applicants should be educated to GCSE level, have experience in children's services, and knowledge of child protection legislation. Benefits include generous annual leave and a commitment to staff wellbeing. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Employee wellbeing support

Staff discounts on various services

Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE level or equivalent with experience in children and families services.
• Ability to perform dynamic risk assessments and take appropriate actions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant legislation and codes of practice.

Responsibilities

• Support families to make positive changes and supervise family time.
• Contribute to service plans under the direction of Social Workers.
• Refer issues following safeguarding procedures and maintain confidentiality.

Skills

Experience in children and families service

Risk assessment knowledge

Knowledge of relevant legislation

Experience in child protection

Education

GCSE level or equivalent

Job description

How you’ll make a difference

As a Social Work Assistant, you’ll be supporting children and their families to make a positive change, making a real difference for vulnerable local families and their children.

Giving children a voice, you will work with them to express their wishes, thoughts and feelings whilst delivering support with a focus on what will matter the most.

What you will be doing

• You will be supervising contact during family time, and where necessary challenging parents, ensuring the safety of the child.
• Working under the direction of Social Workers, you will contribute to and review plans and services to improve intervention ideas.
• It will be your responsibility to refer issues, in accordance with safeguarding procedures, to protect vulnerable people. This will require you to maintain confidential reports to professional and council guidelines.
• You will work directly with children and their parents, this could include family support and performing defined pieces of work under the direction of a qualified Social Worker.
• Ensuring effective communication, you will regularly liaise and work with Social Workers and external contacts such as education services and health agencies ensuring communication is effective.

What we need from you

• We require you to be educated to GCSE level or equivalent with considerable experience of working in a children and families service, which should include an assessment function, service provision and experience of preparing written records and reports.
• You should have an awareness and experience of dynamic risk assessment whilst preparing for and performing a task, and the ability to take appropriate action as a result of risks identified.
• It is essential you can demonstrate knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice.
• Ideally, you will have experience and/or knowledge of child protection issues.

What you need to know

• Please note that due to the nature of this role it is a requirement of employment that an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is obtained for this post.
• You will be expected to travel throughout the authority and surrounding area so you must have a full, valid driving licence with regular access to a vehicle or have an alternative means of travel.
• Business insurance will need to be included in your current car insurance policy.

Interviews will be held week commencing 19th January 2026.

How a career at South Gloucestershire Council is different

• As part of our benefits package, you will receive generous annual leave (pro rata), employee wellbeing support and you will have access to a range of staff discounts, including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities.
• We recognise that our diverse team of skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and developed on the basis of their merits and abilities.
• We know our team work best when they have balance in their lives and we offer genuine flexibility to help them achieve that work/life balance.
• We value our staff as individuals, investing in their careers and we are recognised for the quality, breadth and depth of our training and development offer, which helps make the greatest long-term difference in work.
• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Ensuring all our staff are given right skills, knowledge and support to recognise and respond effectively to potential abuse or neglect.

Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here.

• We're building and shaping communities which people are proud of.
• We're working with the most vulnerable in our community to help them achieve what they want in life.
• We're investing in our schools to ensure every child and young person in South Gloucestershire achieves their full potential.

We've achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference.

We’re making a difference, be part of it!

To view the full job description, please click this link Social Work Assistant - Children's Social Care