Job Introduction
Social Workers (Level 2 & 3) – Children First Response & MASH (Multi-agency Safeguarding Hub)
Location: Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP), Dorset
Salary: Competitive + Local Government Pension + Potential Relocation Scheme
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Make a real difference in children’s lives. Join us at BCP Council.
We’re proud to have achieved a GOOD Ofsted rating (Dec 2024), and we’re on an exciting improvement journey. Now, we’re looking for experienced, passionate Social Workers to join our Children's First Response & MASH Team and help us deliver outstanding care and support to the children and families who need us most.
Why BCP?
Our workforce says it best:
“Career progression is encouraged within BCP – it’s a rewarding job and something I absolutely love.”
“It’s a lovely place to live and work. Dorset is a wonderful county, and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are vibrant, busy urban areas right on the sea front.”
“I’ve never felt so supported.”
Check out this video: A day in the life of three social workers at BCP Council on Vimeo
About the Role
If you are an experienced Social Worker, preferably with MASH experience we want to hear from you. If you are reflective, proactive, and resilient, have the desire to make a real difference and ensure children and their voices are at the heart of everything you do, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council could be the place for you.
You will need to be a registered social worker with Social Work England and have significant post qualifying experience working with children and families in the statutory sector.
Across our Children’s Service Directorate, we have adopted a systemic approach to practice – ensuring children and their voices are at the heart of everything we do. You will ensure this approach is embedded as a core ethos within your teams
Our Goal: to ensure every child receives the right support at the right time and is safeguarded from potential harm.
Our work: referrals are triaged, assessed, and transferred to the most appropriate team and service. This requires athletic professionalism and agile management oversight – team managers oversee every contact within the working day and managers authorise significant decisions for all children in need and at risk of harm.
Our location: we are hybrid workers based at Poole Police station, alongside other multi agency professionals, and at home at times.
We will require you to:
- have a minimum of 2 years front line social work safeguarding experience.
- have completed the ASYE Programme successfully.
What We’re Looking For
- be willing to undertake a post-qualifying award (e.g. Practice Education);
- be able to work with more complex referrals and challenging casework and have high quality skills in analysis of risk and decision making.
- already have begun to develop specialist knowledge within front-line services.
- be already working to the DfE Knowledge and Skills statements for child and family practitioners.
- be willing to develop confident presentation skills.
- have a commitment to continuous professional development.
What We Offer
- Full induction & Practice Fundamentals support
- Clear career progression & excellent learning opportunities
- Regular supervision
- 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
- Flexible working arrangements including hybrid working based at Poole Police Station, alongside other multi-agency professionals, and at home at times
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Relocation Scheme
- Staff network groups
Ready to Join Us?
If you’re reflective, proactive, resilient, and passionate about putting children’s voices at the heart of everything you do, we’d love to hear from you.
Find out more about our new terms and conditions in our 'More than just a job' brochure on our careers site.
Please contact Michelle Baron, Team Manager for MASH at michelle.baron@bcpcouncil.gov.uk or Nanette McVeigh, Team Manager for MASH at nanette.mcveigh@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
Visit our BCP Partnership Academy website for more details.
Apply today and help us make a difference.
Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK.
The pay range for this role will be £42,839–£53,460 (pro rata for part-time colleagues).
We’re looking forward to welcoming new colleagues under this refreshed framework of pay, terms, and conditions. To promote fairness and consistency, all new starters will begin at the bottom of the pay band. This reflects our commitment to equity across the organisation and aligns with the approach taken with existing staff during the transition. While the starting salary is fixed, the role offers excellent scope for growth, meaningful contribution, and being part of a forward-thinking team.
The Recruitment & Retention Supplement for this role may be up to £3,249 per annum (pro rata for part-time colleagues).*this is subject to review
Recruitment and Retention Supplements are in addition to the base salary. They are temporary and awarded solely at the discretion of BCP Council, in accordance with our Interim Salary Supplement policy, which will be replaced by the new Pay and Allowances policy being introduced on 1 December 2025.
About BCP Council
BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, word-class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.
Our Benefits
A Place to Thrive – Join BCP Council
At BCP Council, we’re not just building a workforce— we’re transforming how we recognise and reward our people.
Check out our attractive enhanced benefits and find out more about the new Pay and Reward package at (Employee benefits | Working for BCP link to careers page)
Be the difference - Join an organisation that values you
More About us | Working for BCP
DBS
BCP Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the community and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Applicants to this post will be required to complete the appropriate level of Disclosure & Barring Service Check. Please refer to the Job Description or Role Profile for more details.
