Children’s Social Workers

Children’s social workers focus on the person and their circumstances. They are interested in the factors that have a bearing on the person’s situation and outlook and they’re also responsible for helping them bring about change to improve their life chances. 

In reality, social work can be far from straightforward. Meeting children and their families when they are most in need of support, care and security brings its own challenges, and getting involved at moments of extreme crisis is rarely simple.

The importance of relationships

Social workers study hard, and hone their skills through placements and CPD. Often committed to relationship-based practice, they know that the needs of children and their families guide each decision they make, and they’re determined to keep relationships at the forefront of everything they do. 

Many families will engage with social workers at some point in their lives. Pertemps Social Care has well-established relationships with children’s services in local authorities and private companies across the country. Our objective is to recruit social workers for our clients, and ensure that the service we offer our candidates will allow them to thrive and develop satisfying and rewarding careers. 

Why do our social workers work in children’s services?

Diana is an asylum specialist in London: “When I was training, I was able to focus on the quality of practice and how to apply theory in order to improve the way I work with children and families. Now I’m managing my own caseload, I really appreciate having a capped caseload and having the time and support to apply the theory and use the models I know can be so effective.” 

“There times when it’s difficult to fit everything in, and then it’s so obvious that social workers are dealing with a great deal of risk – often lacking resources and the feeling that the public understands what we’re about. I try to channel that feeling and remember that I’m here, I have to operate within the system, and I’m still trying to make things better for children and their families.”

Sol is care experienced, and now works as a service manager within a quality assurance team. He wasn’t sure whether he should separate his personal experience from work life. Working with children and families facing difficult circumstances has given him the confidence to see that his empathy and training can have a positive impact – both on his team, and the people they support. 

“I know the support my team and I give children and their families makes a difference. We’re committed to working with them – and checking in with them – to ensure they feel truly involved in the service they receive.”

Career planning with Pertemps

Whether you’re just starting out as a social worker, are ready for the next step, or keen to develop skills in a specialist area, Pertemps Social Care consultants will be able to help. They will listen to your requirements and aspirations, assess your CV, and work with you to develop a plan you’re happy with. They work with local authorities and employers right across the country to find the qualified social workers they need. 

We have social work roles supporting children and families who are experiencing crises, or who are living with physical disability or mental health related needs. They manage risk, safeguard children and provide the support their children and families need. 

Children’s social work careers are rich, productive and rewarding. There are opportunities in a wide variety of areas:  

• Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) – the front door to any children’s social care safeguarding team
• Out of hours or emergency duties 
• Early Help 
• Assessment 
• Child in need 
• Child protection 
• Looked after children, fostering and adoption
• Children with disabilities 
• Child exploitation.