Social Work Assistant

Contract to start ASAP

Duration: 12 weeks with a possible extension.

Social Work Assistant – Children's Services

Hours: Full-time (36.5 hours per week)

Contract: 12 Week Temporary Contract, ending 17 January 2027

Support Children, Families and Social Work Professionals Across Birmingham

We're recruiting Social Work Assistants to join Birmingham Children's Trust, supporting qualified Social Workers and wider Children's Services teams in delivering high-quality support to children, young people, and families.

This is an excellent opportunity for individuals with experience in social care, family support, children's services, safeguarding, or community-based support who are looking to develop their experience within a busy statutory children's services environment.

You'll work closely with Social Workers, children, young people, parents, carers, schools, health professionals, and other partner agencies, helping to ensure families receive appropriate support and that safeguarding responsibilities are carried out effectively.

About the Role

As a Social Work Assistant, you'll provide practical, administrative, and direct support to Social Workers and Children's Services teams, contributing to assessments, interventions, case management, and safeguarding work.

What you'll be doing:

• Supporting qualified Social Workers with the management of children and family cases
• Undertaking direct work with children, young people, and families under the guidance of qualified Social Workers
• Supporting assessments and interventions by gathering information and contributing to case planning
• Carrying out home visits and welfare checks where appropriate and within the scope of the role
• Supporting children and families to access relevant services, resources, and community-based support
• Helping to maintain accurate and up-to-date case records in line with organisational procedures
• Liaising with schools, health professionals, housing teams, voluntary organisations, and other partner agencies
• Attending meetings, reviews, and case discussions where required
• Supporting the preparation of reports, case notes, and other documentation
• Helping Social Workers monitor agreed care plans and support plans
• Providing practical support to families experiencing challenging circumstances
• Promoting the welfare and safeguarding of children and young people
• Identifying and reporting safeguarding concerns promptly to the appropriate Social Worker or manager
• Supporting families to engage with services and participate in agreed interventions
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across Children's Services and partner organisations
• Managing a varied workload and completing tasks within agreed timescales
• Maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive information appropriately
• Following Birmingham Children's Trust policies, safeguarding procedures, and professional standards

Requirements

We're looking for compassionate, organised, and resilient individuals with experience supporting children, young people, families, or vulnerable service users.

You'll ideally have:

• Experience working within children's services, social care, family support, education, youth work, or a related environment
• Experience working directly with children, young people, and families
• An understanding of safeguarding and child protection principles
• Experience supporting vulnerable individuals or families
• Good understanding of confidentiality and professional boundaries
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to build positive working relationships with children, families, colleagues, and external professionals
• Good written communication skills and the ability to maintain clear case records
• Ability to gather and accurately record information
• Strong organisational and time-management skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a busy working environment
• Ability to work independently while following professional guidance
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team
• A calm, professional, and non-judgemental approach
• Awareness of the challenges that may affect vulnerable children and families
• Enhanced DBS clearance or willingness to complete the required safeguarding checks
• Eligibility to work in the UK
• Ability to provide three years of references/work history
• Ability to complete a Criminal Convictions Declaration
• Ability to sign a Confidentiality Agreement

Why Apply

• Opportunity to work within Birmingham Children's Trust
• Four positions available
• Gain valuable experience within statutory Children's Services
• Work directly with children, young people, and families
• Opportunity to support experienced Social Workers with safeguarding and family support work
• Develop your experience within a professional social care environment
• Varied role involving direct work, case support, multi-agency liaison, and administration
• Excellent opportunity for candidates looking to progress within social care or social work

Benefits

• Weekly Pay
• Company Pension
• Ongoing Agency Support

Additional Information

Client: Birmingham Children's Trust

Location: One Avenue Road, Aston, Birmingham, West Midlands, B6 4DU

Start Date: 26 October 2026

Contract Duration: 12 weeks, ending 17 January 2027

Hours: 36.5 hours per week

Pay Rate: Umbrella: £17.65 per hour

Employment Type: Temporary

Number of Positions: 4

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary contract

Contract length: 12 weeks

Pay: £17.65 per hour

Benefits:

• Company pension

Application question(s):

• Do you have previous experience working with children, young people, or families?
• Do you have experience working within social care, family support, children's services, education, youth work, or a similar environment?
• Do you have a good understanding of safeguarding and child protection?
• Are you comfortable undertaking direct work and home visits with children and families where required?
• Do you have experience maintaining case notes, records, or confidential information?
• Please confirm your current location and whether you can reliably travel to One Avenue Road, Aston, Birmingham, B6 4DU.

Experience:

• Children / Family Support: 1 year (preferred)
• Social Care: 1 year (preferred)
• Safeguarding: 1 year (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• Enhanced DBS on the Update Service (preferred)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person

Disclaimer: On applying for this vacancy, you agree that your personal details will be passed onto our client for their consideration of your suitability for the role. I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to notify iWork Recruitment Limited of any hirer who I do not want my details to be passed onto.

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