Social Worker - Children & Families (Exeter & East)

We're seeking passionate and dedicated Social Workers who are committed to safeguarding children, supporting families, and delivering meaningful, long-term change.

By joining our Children & Families Service (Exeter & East), you'll play a vital role in creating brighter futures for Devon's children and young people.

About Us

Working in a challenging yet highly rewarding environment, you'll support children in need, safeguard those at risk, and work alongside families through restorative, relationship-based practice to achieve lasting positive outcomes. Together, we build strong partnerships that empower children and families to recognise their strengths, helping to create safer, healthier and happier futures across Devon.

About the Role

As a Social Worker within Children & Families, you'll bring your professional skills, compassion and judgement to support children, young people and families through some of the most important moments in their lives. You'll manage a varied caseload, working collaboratively with families and partner agencies to achieve meaningful, long-term change.We're looking for someone who values relationship-based practice, can adapt to a fast-paced environment, and is committed to delivering high-quality assessments and interventions that help improve outcomes for children, young people, families and carers.

About You

Advocating for the children and young people of Devon, you will work creatively and flexibly to promote positive long-term change, ensuring permanence from the outset. Your skills and experience will include:

• Knowledge and understanding of the legislation, models, and theories relevant to children’s social work
• The ability to build effective professional relationships with children, families, and other professionals
• Experience working within social care, including working in a multi-agency and court environment
• A social work qualification and registration with Social Work England
• Satisfactory completion of your Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE)
• A high-level of written and verbal communication skills

Working in Children's Social Care at Devon County Council

Our Exeter & East Team is based at County Hall, just a short walk from Exeter city centre. Offering free on-site parking, excellent transport links, and a welcoming on-site café, it's a great place to work and connect with colleagues.

Combining the character of a historic cathedral city with vibrant shopping, dining and cultural attractions, Exeter provides an excellent setting for both your professional and personal life.

We offer some fantastic employee benefits, including:

• A £5,000 Welcome Payment for eligible new permanent staff (see further information below)
• Retention payment of £2,000 per annum pro rata.
• Generous annual leave, and the ability to purchase additional annual leave.
• Free onsite parking
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities
• Employee Assistance and well-being services for the times you may need some support
• Promotion of a healthy work-life balance and flexible working
• options where possible
• A benefits platform that offers discounts at over 900 national & local high street retailers
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric Vehicle salary sacrifice scheme

For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page.

Welcome Payment: We are offering a £5,000 Welcome Payment to eligible new permanent recruits joining the Exeter & EastDevon locality.
You will receive this payment in full within your first or second salary of joining us. Please note that this payment will be be pro-rata for part-time staff and subject to standard deductions.

Sponsorship Opportunities: We welcome applications from internationally trained and qualified candidates who are now residing in the UK and interested in joining our team.

Relocation Payment: If you are looking to move to Devon, subject to qualifying conditions, we offer a generous relocation allowance. There has never been a better time to make the move!

For any queries or an informal discussion about this role, please contact Emma Youngs on 01392 383000, or email emma.youngs@devon.gov.uk

Applications close on 1 November 2026.

Please note: Interviews will be conducted at various stages of our recruitment campaign. We strongly encourage you to submit your application early to avoid disappointment as it is possible that the advert may close early.

Internal Applicants, please note: If you are an existing DCC employee, please use your iTrent Employee Self Service (ESS) details to log in and apply.

Additional Information

• Devon County Council is committed to creating an inclusive, safe and diverse workplace where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff to share this commitment.
• Personal data will be processed in line with our Applicant privacy notice.
• For details on the use of AI in applications and Devon County Council’s use of AI in Recruitment please see Use of AI in Our Recruitment Processes - Working for Devon

This role requires:

• A suitable DBS check.
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
• Confidence and fluency in spoken English.

REQ010646 – Children’s Social Care