Post Ref: CC068

Our Vision for Calderdale in 2024 is a place where everyone can reach their potential and lead a larger life. We will be defined by our innate kindness and resilience and be measured by how our people and communities care and support each other.

We embrace the positive benefits of a diverse workforce, and we are committed to providing an environment that is inclusive. We encourage applications from people who share our commitment to challenge inequality and promote diversity across Calderdale.

Calderdale is a beautiful metropolitan borough in the heart of the Yorkshire Pennines, situated between Manchester and Leeds.

The spectacular natural landscape, vibrant towns, quirky culture, and tremendous architecture make it a great place to live and work. Our ideal location allows for easy access via the motorway or rail into town centres or the surrounding area.

We have fantastic opportunities in Children’s Social Care and are looking for passionate and committed people who can make a meaningful difference to our children.

Calderdale Council’s Children’s Services has recently been inspected by Ofsted where we have been judged by Ofsted as ‘Good’ with outstanding features across our services.

We are proud of the good quality social work we provide and the positive difference we make with our children and families. Ofsted said:

• Children in Calderdale feel safe and continue to receive strong and effective support that helps to improve their lives.

• Children in care and care leavers have a say on issues that are important to them.

• When children are at risk of harm, or have been harmed, everyone works well together to make them safer, both within the Council and with partner agencies.
• Children are helped by “skilled and committed” social workers who visit them regularly, know them well, “are ambitious for their children” and are “professionally curious”.

• Most children are supported to remain with their families and friends where it is safe to do so. Where this is not possible, inspectors praised the “safe, nurturing placements” that “meet children’s needs well and help children to have stable homes and opportunities to achieve their potential”.

• Leaders in the Council want to do the right things for children and their families. Ofsted praised the “ambitious and aspirational” leaders who “focus on learning and continuous improvement”.

• The Council has a strong ‘corporate parenting’ ethos, where looking out for children and young people is embedded in everyone’s role throughout the organisation. There is a strong culture of being ambitious for children and a desire to continuously do better for them.

• Social workers and other staff love working for the Council because they feel valued and supported. They describe Calderdale as a “family environment” where they can access a wide range of training to develop their skills, experience, and confidence.

Following the pandemic, we returned to our modern offices, empowering our social workers to help and support our communities from a central hub. We recognise the need for social workers to spend time with their teams in an office environment and this is prioritised for our teams, but we also realise some benefits of home working too. Therefore, we are flexible in having a combination of the two depending on your individual needs.

Our systemic practice model means that we value our relationships and collaboration with children and families, colleagues, and partners. We promote practice reflection and understand the importance of learning, both as individuals and as an organisation.

We use a shared set of values, a common language, and a consistent approach. We prize learning above blame and a supportive, generous work culture is encouraged.

We pride ourselves on the support we provide to all our social workers, offering continued growth and development through our Progression Pathway enabling social workers to plan their career and take advantage of the opportunities on offer.

Social Workers in Calderdale are supported to provide the very best service for our children. Quality reflective supervision is provided regularly as part of our learning culture. All staff are also encouraged to join one of our staff groups, Race Equality network LGBTQ and Disability Forum.

We have a commitment to maintaining low caseloads, which ensures practitioners are given opportunities to work effectively and robustly. Calderdale is a place where you can make a difference.

Applications will be considered from qualified social workers (BA/DipSW/CQSW or equivalent), registered with Social Work England, who can demonstrate qualifying experience gained within statutory children and family services.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff to share this commitment. Applicants to posts that are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act will require a DBS from the Disclosure and Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed.

Free Parking
For a full list of benefits please see our Application Booklet. 

Closing Date: Sunday, 30th June 2024
Interview Date: Wednesday 10th July 2024

We may utilise digital interview methods.

(Solicitors, Social Workers and Occupational Therapists) Calderdale will reimburse the post holders required professional membership, annually.

We may utilise digital interview methods.

As part of our Vision (https://www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision/) we aim to be a talented, resilient and inclusive community. We welcome applications from all and offer a variety of flexible working / job share opportunities.

On 30 January 2019, the Council declared a climate emergency in a bold move to step up its action to tackle climate change.

Calderdale Council embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and we are committed to providing an environment that is inclusive. We encourage applications from people who share our commitment to challenge inequality and promote diversity across Calderdale. We particularly welcome applications from communities that are currently under-represented in our organisation. All applications are anonymised before being seen by the selection panel.

For support on your application please read our Application Booklet or visit our Employment Hub.

We reserve the right to close vacancies prior to the advertised closing date, an early submission is advised.