Job Description

Job description
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.



We have an exciting opportunity for you to join our Front Door Access team, which is called Children's Single Point of access (CSPoA). We are the first recipients of all contacts and referrals to Children's Social Care, Early Help and our Partnership Hub. This is a co-located and integrated service with key statutory partner agencies who are committed to getting children and families the right help at the right time.



We provide high quality information, advice, and intervention to partner agencies and members of the public as well as determining threshold of need decisions for children where concerns about their care, safety and well-being are shared.



Through the Children's Single Point of Access (CSPoA), we are committed to delivering a seamless, multi-agency approach that provides the right help at the right time, reducing risk and preventing escalation of need.



Our operational framework is built on children being at the centre of all that we do, a foundation of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. By fostering strong partnerships with schools, health professionals, social care teams, and the voluntary sector, we strive to create a coordinated system of support that is responsive, inclusive, and child centred.



We are committed to a practice model that is child-focused, and trauma informed. We are currently evolving the service to develop a more interventionalist practice model, that alongside our well-established Family Help service and Partnership Outreach team, we can provide help and support to reduce escalation.



Our social work practice with children and families is important, and we make a difference to the families we have contact with. It can be both incredibly challenging and hugely rewarding, especially when are able to intervene from the second you pick up the phone. If this appeals to you, we want to hear from you.



Through group and one-to-one supervision you will drive high quality and child focused practice - with high challenge and high support and supporting the Team Manager to nurture a high quality, high performing work environment where agencies are working together closely.

To be considered for the role, your application will demonstrate that you:

Have a thorough understanding of current legislation and the West Berkshire Safeguarding Children Procedure and Practice Guidance and be committed to relational practice, with a focus on intervention, not just 'screening' and 'information gathering'. A robust and focused approach on analysis and providing help at the right time. Supporting Creative and Dynamic*solutions to how we can support families with Early Help Services.
Support the Team Manager in decision-making and providing quality and effective training, oversight and supervision to social workers. Can work in a multi-disciplinary environment and steer a service that will have competing demands and expectations from other agencies. Strong knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations to recognise and build on families' strengths to create change. Skilled in supporting social workers and managers in analysing information and understanding families' experiences and contexts to ensure they receive the right services within the right framework. Experience of Managing Social Workers, Early Help Practitioners and Business Support Staff. Passionate and energised to take on the requirements and vision of the improvement plan. Able to cultivate and nurture positive working relationships, and to respectfully challenge. Confident to steer others to ensure the best outcome for the child is always a priority. Embracing change with the ability to inspire and take a team through a period of transformation. Curious! Creative! Ambitious!

You'll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you'll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.



Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team -

champion and inspire a culture which ensures that all employees across the organisation work together to provide excellent outcomes for Reading

Drive Efficiency -

create an environment in which resources are used efficiently and employees' skills are developed and used effectively

Be Ambitious -

aspire to deliver excellence and inspire and support others to reach their potential

Make a Difference to Reading -

inspire a culture in which the customer is the focus and where change is welcomed as an opportunity

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you'll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.



A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:


Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years' service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave A wide range of flexible working opportunities Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS) On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact Reena.Mehta@reading.gov.uk

Closing Date:

Sunday 9thNovember 2025

Interview Date:

To be confirmed

Interview Process:

To be confirmed