Social workers are incredible people – committed to a highly challenging career to help the most vulnerable amongst us.

We are always seeking to recruit qualified Social Workers experienced in frontline child protection in order to keep our caseloads manageable. 

In Sheffield we have a strong child-focussed approach with a strategic mission to have a ‘skilled and supported’ workforce with clear leadership where your practice and career can flourish. 

Here is what our workers told Ofsted:

“Workers spoke very positively about working for Sheffield and having good management support by managers and senior managers who are accessible for advice and decision-making.

Having manageable workloads was valued by staff, which makes it possible for them to do meaningful work with children.

Staff have access to good-quality training opportunities and a career progression pathway, which is valued by them and contributes to the high social work retention rate.”

Applications are welcomed from experienced social workers with significant post social work qualification experience in UK statutory services who have strong communication, engagement and analytical skills to allow them to safeguard children & young people and engage effectively with a wide range of agencies. You must be registered with Social Work England and have passed your Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE).

You will have a sound knowledge of relevant legislation and experience of working in a front line team working on sets of care proceedings.  You must have a thorough understanding of thresholds and universal services. You will ensure that you apply consistently high standards to ensure better outcomes for children and their families.   

We are a learning organisation and provide a vast amount of CPD opportunities at Sheffield universities as well as externally commissioned specialist training and apprenticeship opportunities.

Every senior social worker is offered Practice Educator training as your first management experience and opportunities to attend leadership and management courses.  Secondment opportunities to teach students at our local universities are also available as well as transfers to specialist teams.  We value your experience and will invest in you.

Key Benefits

• Annual leave 26 days per year plus public holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years’ service. Opportunity to purchase an additional 5 days per year leave. 
• At least 3 days per year dedicated for Continuous Professional Development with excellent career progression routes 
• Up to 6 days paid carers leave is available for those with caring responsibility 
• Relocation package up to £7,494 towards costs if you need to relocate 
• Employee assistance programme providing valuable advice on a range of issues such as personal finances, counselling sessions and legal advice. 
• Generous Local government pension scheme 
• Discounts off Vodafone, Westfield Health and Public transport
• Salary sacrifice employee car lease scheme and city car club
• Cycle to work scheme and free eye-sight tests

 Want to find out more about working for Sheffield? Visit Children and Families Recruitment (sheffield.gov.uk)

For informal enquiries, please contact Dorothy.smith@sheffield.gov.uk

We are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under-represented groups.  We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly.

It is a great time to join us and we welcome your application.

Under the Disability Confident Scheme, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.

If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff to share this commitment.  All successful candidates will be required to complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check.

Equality of pay is extremely important to us. All roles at Sheffield City Council are going through an evaluation process which may result in changes to some pay arrangements from 2026. Find out more on our Sheff news page.