Job Description

Opportunity in Southampton.
Children's Services Social Worker: 41,771 - 46,141 per annum pro rata (Plus Market Supplement) 1 x Permanent Contract, Part time post with the Jigsaw, Children with Disabilities Service.
Be part of what we are achieving
Here in Southampton City Council Children and Learning Service we are proud to be compassionate and kind, to each other and to the families we are here to help. We are constantly learning, flexing and growing. The energy in the service to be better and do better on behalf of children, young people families and our diverse communities is invigorating and inspiring.
The opportunity has arisen for a Social Worker (Grade 9) to work within the Jigsaw Team (Children with Disabilities Team) in Southampton. This is an aligned service (Social Care, Health and including Paediatric Occupational Therapy) which provides coordinated assessment, holistic care planning and therapeutic intervention for children and young people with multiple and complex disabilities and additional needs including preparation for adulthood.
We need 1 Social Worker Part time, The required working hours are between 23 and 26 hours per week, Candidate can work 26 Hours Tuesday to Friday or 23 Hours Wednesday to Friday.
Relational Practice, systemic pathways
Relationships are everything. Permanence matters. This is why we have established an almost fully permanent workforce, and we are building systemic, reflective practice and leadership right across the service. We celebrate relational practice and we are investing in motivational interviewing.
Children, young people and families feel and know that they are held in mind. We are here to ensure they are safe and loved, and that we understand what they have been through.
Partnerships matter immeasurably. So, we are building these relationships creatively, with co-located domestic abuse workers in our family help and family safeguarding teams, and substance use workers and mental health practitioners alongside social workers supporting families where children have suffered harm. We are learning so much from each other and this is good for families.
The time and space to do your best work
A tight focus on caseloads and permanent skilled team managers enables our social workers to practice at their best. We care about our children and we will care about you.
We offer strong developmental opportunities for social workers, who thrive on helping children be the best they can be. We have career development routes through to management roles.
If you join us we will help you to build meaningful and influential relationships with children, families and partners. We hope this is why you came into social work! You will have a voice in a service that is hungry to learn from your experiences.
An aspirational service
We always strive to do better for children. But, we are proud of our achievements. In June 2023, Ofsted found that we were, 'Good' overall with 'Outstanding' leadership. We are working hard to be consistently good while always aiming higher.
In Southampton we are strongly invested in development of our workforce family. Our career development and talent management pathways will enable you to be part of our future.
Our practitioners and managers feel equipped to do what can be a really tough job through genuine support and meaningful challenge. Our excellent practice development team has huge energy for providing a vibrant learning offer.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for a Social Worker who is reflective and assured in their own practice and has experience of statutory social work with experience of working with Children with Disabilities and Looked After Children. You will be able to deliver a service that is child and young person centred, with a clear understanding and a good knowledge of relevant legislation and current practice for Children with Disabilities and or Looked After Children as well as clear understanding of safeguarding issues.
We want all children and young people in Southampton to have a good start in life, so that they can fulfil their potential and become successful adults engaged in their local communities. The council, Health services and other partners are committed to working jointly to ensure that children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), their families and carers receive the support they need, when they need it, so that they can achieve and inspire in all aspects of their lives.
You will build relationships through regular visits, assessments and planning. You will nurture and develop meaningful relationships with children; gain and interpret their wishes, and advocate and support them to reach their full potential.
We want to continually improve and show our children that we are aspirational for them and what they can achieve in their relationships, communities, education and training.
The work is varied and challenging, and there is a strong team approach ensuring good support for the successful applicant.
We are looking for a practitioner who is reflective and assured in their own practice, and who has experience of statutory social work with children. You will be able to support families in a way that is trauma informed, compassionate, and built on a strong grounding in national good practice, legislation and evidence-based approaches.
You will believe in the strength of families to care for their own children with our help, and in children's right to family life. You will understand the need for safety and permanence and you will be confident in achieving this for children.
You will have a Diploma or Degree in social work and be registered with Social Work England.
Please refer to the attached job description for the essential and desirable elements to apply for these roles.
What we can offer you:
Salary: The salary band for this role is 41,771 - 46,14. The starting salary is 41,771 with annual progression through the salary bands.

• As Ofsted has stated in our inspection in June 2023 where we were judged 'Good', 'Practitioners are supported by energetic and responsive frontline managers who maintain clear, confident and close oversight of children's progress'. You will be provided with regular good quality 1-1 case and personal supervision that align to our systemic practice framework
• Laptop and Smart phones, and other equipment to enable office-based, flexible and remote working.
• Robust induction period and personal development plan that meets your training and development needs. You will have membership to Research in Practice as well as access to a comprehensive internal resource library.
• We are increasingly embracing tried and tested AI tools for social workers, reducing admin time.
• Excellent

with 16.8% employer contribution * Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution)

• Generous holiday 25-31 days, based on role and service
• Flexible working options (role-dependent)
• Family-friendly policies - Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents
• Training and development, including coaching and mentoring
• Health and wellbeing support - Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks
• Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant
• Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform
• Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres
• Sustainable travel benefits - low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans
• Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer
• Employee assistance programme with access to our health wellbeing and support
• Monthly employment awards and recognition schemes.

For further information on our benefits package please visit:
Our Location:
You will be based within Southampton city centre in the Civic Centre, a historical building within easy reach of a range of colleagues also based in the building. Flexible/remote/home working is available.
Our Organisation:
Southampton City Council is a unitary authority, you will have access to a permanent, visible, responsive senior leadership team which is supportive at all management levels.
We are committed to the development of all our staff, whilst working in a highly supportive and highly challenging culture. All of which is at the ethos of our ambition to become a child friendly city.
Contact details for informal discussion:
For further information and details regarding the position please contact Mel Johnson Team Manager - or Monica Khaiba, Service Manager -
Interview Information:
Please note that interviews are scheduled for 4th February 2026.
Recruitment contact details:
Email:
Tel: 023 8083 4033
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Organisation
Southampton City Council
Service Area
Family Safeguarding
Job Location
Civic Centre
Contract Length
Permanent
Work Hours
Part time - 23 to 26 hours
Salary
41,771 - 46,141 per annum pro rata
Special Requirements
Enhanced DBS will be required
Closing Date
25/01/2026
Job Reference
16306
Documents
(PDF, 224.67kb)

Skills Required