Job Description

Salary

28,598 - 31,022

Contractual hours

37

Basis

Full Time

Job category/type

Leeds City Council, Social Care

Date posted

08/12/2025

Job reference

REQ004588

Job title:

Social Work Assistant

Salary:

C1 28,598 - 31,022

Hours:

37 hours (full-time, part-time or job-share basis to suitably qualified candidates)

Contract:

Permanent

Location:

South (Dewsbury Road, LS14) and West (Farnley Hall, LS12)

Are you passionate about making a real difference to the lives of children, young people and families in Leeds?

We're looking for a committed Social Work Assistant to join our Children & Families directorate and play a vital role in supporting some of the city's most vulnerable children and families. As a Social Work Assistant in our children's social work team, you will thrive on working restoratively with children and families by directly helping qualified Social Workers, through building strong relationships to inspire positive change and sustainable outcomes.

At Leeds City Council, our ambition is to make Leeds the best city for children and young people to grow up in. We are committed to the ambition of

Child Friendly Leeds

. We want Leeds to be a city where all children are safe, happy and healthy, do well at school, fulfil their potential and grow up to be active citizens with voice and influence. We aim to improve outcomes for all our children and want to close the gap facing children and young people from vulnerable and deprived backgrounds.

You'll be joining a team that is dedicated to safeguarding, supporting families, and working collaboratively with communities to achieve positive outcomes.

We are proud to be part of Leeds children's services, rated by Ofsted as outstanding, and to be an award-winning employer, recognised as best employer in the Social Worker of the Year Awards 2019.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our

council values

and

ambitions

We provide comprehensive support and training packages for Social Work Assistants at all levels with clear career progression opportunities. Our established in-house management teams offer continuous support, guidance and reflective supervision alongside an in-depth programme of continuing professional development.

We can offer permanent contracts on a full-time, part-time or job-share basis to suitably qualified candidates and, subject to service needs being fulfilled, we are open to flexible working arrangements to support your work-life balance. The role is predominantly office based. These are roles available in area social work based in South Leeds, at Deacon House (LS14) and West Leeds at Farnley Hall (LS12).

About You

As a Social Work Assistant, it is essential that you are able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

No formal qualifications are required for the role.

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test and Interview.

Skills Required

The role requires someone who can work flexibly across different locations, support service users and carers with varied needs, and build positive relationships with children, young people, families, and diverse groups. The person must work effectively within a team and with other agencies, communicate information accurately and clearly, and produce high?quality written records and reports

Knowledge Required

The post requires a foundational understanding of legislation and contemporary issues within Children's Social Care, alongside a clear appreciation of the importance of maintaining confidentiality. Applicants must also demonstrate a basic knowledge of child development, including the stages of adolescence and the transition to adulthood.

Experience Required

Demonstrated experience of working effectively within a team; of supporting children, young people, and families from diverse backgrounds with a wide range of needs; of collaborating with a variety of relevant external agencies; and of contributing to assessments as part of professional practice.

Behavioural & other Characteristics required

Demonstrates a strong commitment to continuous improvement, with the ability to understand and adhere to Leeds City Council's Equality and Diversity Policy. Carry out all duties in accordance with the Council's Health, Safety and Wellbeing responsibilities and shows a clear willingness to engage in ongoing training and development to maintain up?to?date knowledge and skills. Consistently upholds and embodies the organisation's values, behaviours, and codes of conduct

.

About The Role

Please see the full job description for the role and responsibilities.

What We Offer You

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including: a comprehensive employee experience, including a competitive salary with annual leave and statutory holidays, membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions, and flexible or hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements. Employees benefit from a clear career pathway with ongoing professional development opportunities, alongside a range of

staff benefits

designed to support wellbeing and enhance financial value.

How To Apply

Please complete the online application form preference for South Leeds or West Leeds position, or both if applicable.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal discussion about the area roles, please contact Clare Matthew (01133784026) for the position in West Leeds, or Jodie Dawson (0113 3787580) for the position in South Leeds..

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children's or Adults' barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our

recruitment of ex-offenders policy

.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the

Skilled Worker visa

route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least 41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Purpose:

To take responsibility for assessing needs and providing services to less vulnerable service users and to assist staff in assessing need and providing services in more complex cases. Variable working arrangements, including evening and/or weekends, may be necessary on occasion to complete on-going casework, emergency situations, evening visits or meetings. Social Work Assistants are based at locations across the City and will be required to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.

Responsibilities:

Provide or assist the provision of services to meet and assist users in respect of welfare rights, as appropriate. Provide advice, under Directorate guidance, to service users and carers in respect of financial problems, debts, and welfare benefits as appropriate. Undertake financial assessments and give appropriate advice and support. Work under the oversight of experienced Social Workers (post ASYE) in making enquiries of alleged neglect, abuse, or ill-treatment of children. Work under the oversight of experienced Social Workers (post ASYE) in supporting the undertaking of a wide range of assessments (pre-birth assessments, risk assessment, Child, and Family Assessment). Undertake family work relating to preventative work, offering guidance and support, in conjunction with the Social Worker and/or Team Manager. Undertake planned pieces of work or specific tasks with children who have a child protection plan, under the oversight of an experienced Social Worker. Work in partnership with other professionals and/or agencies within the local authority, to meet outcomes for children. Maintain case records accurately and in line with your role prepare any relevant documentation as required by the local Authority and other agencies in accordance with the Directorate's and policy and practice. Arrange and supervise children in care to see their parents and/or other significant family members (contact) to meet the requirements of the child. Transport children and families to medical examinations and appointments where necessary. Undertaking direct work with children, this to include obtaining their wishes and feelings and supporting them throughout assessment process. This will include Life Story work. Assist young people in independent living when unable to live at home, building a package of support to meet their needs. Engage with families in a positive, respectful, and responsive manner to enable them to gain the most out of the support being offered and where needed support alternative care planning for those children and young people. With the support of an experienced Social Worker/Team Manager to attend and participate in Child Protection Conferences, Core Group meetings, family Group conferencing or other relevant meetings as required and contributing to care planning. Offer support and encouragement to parent/carers, relating to the development and well-being of their children with a view to enabling them to remain with their families/carers safely where appropriate. Offer support and respond to families in crisis quickly identifying a package of support. Under the close supervision of your Team Manager to attend court to give evidence should this be required. Participate in appropriate training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge and skills. The post holder will maintain effective relationships with staff at all levels within Childrens Services, other Council Directorates, Elected Members, external agencies, and the general public. Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes. To work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice. Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested. Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the values, standards, and equal opportunities of Leeds City Council. Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.


The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.

The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications

No formal qualifications required

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate

Skills Required

Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate. Able to work with service users and carers who have a diverse range of needs and presenting behaviours Able to relate to individuals and groups, particularly children, young people, and families from a diverse range of backgrounds. Able to work as part of a team and with professionals from other agencies, in the delivery of services. Able to pass information effectively, accurately, and concisely between service users, carers, colleagues, and other agencies. Able to produce good quality records and reports.

Knowledge Required

Basic understanding of legislation and current issues in Children's Social Care. An understanding of the need for confidentiality. Basic understanding of issues of child development including adolescence and transition to adulthood.

Experience Required

Of working within a team. Of working with children, young people, and families from a diverse range of backgrounds with a diverse range of needs. Of working with other relevant agencies. Of undertaking assessments.

Behavioural & other Characteristics required

Committed to continuous improvement Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council's Equality and Diversity Policy Carry out all duties having regard to an employee's responsibility under the council's Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up-to-date knowledge, skills and continuous professional development * Understand and embrace our values, behaviours and codes of conduct