Job Description

Reference number

BUC13846

Contract type

Permanent

Working hours

Full Time

Level of DBS check required

Enhanced with Barred List

Date posted

6 Jul 2025, 11 p.m.

Application deadline

14 Aug 2025

Interview date

22 Aug 2025

Contact email

mark.green@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Overview

Are you a passionate and experienced social work leader ready to shape the future of children's services in Buckinghamshire?

We're looking for a Principal Social Worker (PSW) to be the professional lead for social work practice across our Children's Services. This is a unique opportunity to influence practice at a strategic level, champion innovation, and ensure the voices of children, families, and practitioners are at the heart of everything we do.

Salary up to 73,500 per annum

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally.



Buckinghamshire is an ambitious, rapidly growing county, and our economy is one of the strongest in the country. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty and ranks as one of the top rural areas to live in the UK and yet it is incredibly well connected- only an hour from London on the train. The county has a rich history and heritage and is the birthplace of the international Paralympic movement.



We are looking for motivated, ambitious and inspiring people to join us on our journey. You will be entitled to a range of different benefits to make sure you are happy both at work and at home.

About the role

As the Principal Social Worker for Children's Services, you will be the professional lead for social work practice across the county. This pivotal role bridges frontline practice and senior leadership, championing high standards, ethical practice, and continuous improvement. You will drive quality assurance, workforce development, and innovation, ensuring that the voices of children, families, and practitioners shape service delivery.



With a strong focus on collaboration, learning, and strategic influence, you will play a key role in embedding best practice, supporting social workers, and leading the development of a confident, skilled, and resilient workforce.

About you

We're seeking a passionate and experienced social work leader who is committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families. You'll bring a deep understanding of social work practice, strong leadership skills, and a drive for continuous improvement. As someone who thrives on learning and innovation, you'll be eager to invest in and shape our ongoing improvement journey--helping us build a service that is reflective, responsive and always striving to do better. If you're collaborative, forward-thinking, and ready to champion excellence in social work, we'd love to hear from you.



For more information on the criteria, please refer to the job description.

Other information

If you would like to find out more about this role, please contact

Mark Green

at mark.green@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Closing date

: Midnight on Thursday 14th August 2025

Interview date

: 22nd August 2025


We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.



This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:


All unspent convictions and conditional cautions All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020 and 2023).

For further information on filtering please refer to Nacro guidance and the guidance published by the Ministry of Justice (see, in particular, the section titled 'Exceptions Order').

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are - Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.



By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:


a fair and inclusive culture the chance to really make a difference to those around you health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that's why we're working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.



From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it's important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.



We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Buckinghamshire is a successful, growing place with fantastic natural assets, a highly productive economy and many resourceful and thriving communities. However, we are far from complacent and our new and ambitious unitary authority is well placed to tackle the challenges associated with growth, an aging population, climate change and inequalities in both opportunities and outcomes - particularly for our children and young people.



Children's Services is on an improvement journey and as our very recent Ofsted report shows, we have continued to improve despite the pressures of the pandemic and have built solid foundations for future success. Relationships with partners are strong and our collective response to the pandemic has strengthened and deepened our work together.



We have a big, ambitious agenda for Buckinghamshire, and our teams work collaboratively and at pace to make a positive difference to the lives of children and young people across the county.



We are looking for talented and driven individuals to help us achieve the best outcomes for our children, young people and families in Buckinghamshire. Our key priorities include continuing to protect vulnerable children and young people from harm, whilst sustaining an environment where social work practice can thrive. Through our vital work with our partners, including The Buckinghamshire Safeguarding Childrens Partnership, we continue to improve our collective response to children and young people who have been exposed to domestic abuse, exploitation, substance misuse and mental health issues.



No matter what role you take on in our Children's services, you will be part of a team who is dedicated to supporting children and their families to achieve their full potential.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That's why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafes, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.



https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/