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Social Worker - Childrens Social Work Team

Directorate: People (Childrens, Adults, Public Health, Education and SEND)

Department: Children’s Services

Salary: Range SW2/2A - £39,823.00 - £47,434.00 per annum + £5,000(SW2) / £5,500(SW2A) market premia and £2,000(SW2) / £3,000(SW2A) retention payment

Job Status: Full Time Permanent

Hours: 37 per week

Location: Broadside, Leviathan Way, Chatham, ME4 4LL

Working style: Hybrid – Works part from Broadside and part from home.

Closing Date: 26th July 2026

We are currently recruiting Social Workers to join our Children's Social Work Team. We are proud to be ‘Good’ in Medway and are determined to build on the great work that has been done so far to improve the services for our children, young people and families.

Recent promotions, following our investment in new Assistant Team Managers across the service, mean we are now looking for passionate social workers who can commit to making a difference to our children in Medway.

Children matter in Medway, and so do you. It’s an exciting time to join us as we offer competitive pay and conditions and hybrid working. We are committed to helping you to grow and develop throughout your career and reach your full potential. Our practice development offer along with management capacity across our teams, ensures you will be guided, supported and cared for.

Whether you have recently completed your ASYE or have worked in children’s social work for some years we would love you to join us on our ongoing journey. You will be joining an experienced and dedicated social work team who have relationship and strengths-based work with children and families at the core of their practice.

Experienced Social Workers (with 2+ years post qualifying experience) will be offered a package of up to £52,934.00 per annum (inclusive of market premia + £3,000 per annum retention payment).

Social Workers with less than 2 years’ service will be offered a package of up to £48,425.00 per annum (inclusive of market premia + £2,000 per annum retention payment).

Join us and #Make a Difference…

The successful post holder will be subject to a Enhanced Childrens’ DBS check.

For an informal discussion, please don't hesitate to contact one of the recruiting managers below. Alternatively, please email the recruitment team on cscrecruitment@medway.gov.uk.

• Andrada Pepenel, Head of Service (Children's Social Work Teams) - 01634 337327
• Sharon Ward, Service Manager (Children's Social Work Teams) - 01634 331214
• Charleen Carnell, Service Manager (Children's Social Work Teams) - 01634 334254

Children matter in Medway, and so do you. It’s an exciting time to join us as we offer competitive pay and conditions and hybrid working. We are committed to helping you to grow and develop throughout your career and reach your full potential. Our practice development offer, whether you are a manager or practitioner, ensures you will be guided, supported and cared for.

Candidates will be offered a competitive basic salary between £39,823 and £47,434 per annum, dependant on your experience, and the potential to earn up to £52,934 per year when market premiums and retention are applied.

Join us and #Make a Difference…

Our Offer

• We are proud to offer a range of benefits including –
• A market allowance of £5,000 (SW2) or £5,500 (SW2A) per annum (payable in 12 equal instalments)
• A retention payment of £2,000 (SW2) or £3,000 (SW2A) per annum (payable in April, following 1 years service in Medway)
• A generous annual leave entitlement up to 30 days plus bank holidays
• An excellent local government pension scheme
• An essential car user allowance with option to apply for a lease car after six months.
• Free car parking.
• Hybrid working - enabling you to work from home/office (minimum of 2 days per week will be required in the office). Assessment Teams are office based for duty weeks.
• Relocation package of up to £8,000.
• A range of staff benefits and discounts including access to fantastic discounts and savings on shops and services, travel discounts, health and wellbeing support, and an employee assistance service.
• Access to professional development and support including Community Care Inform.

About You

• You will hold a recognised Social Work qualification eg. Degree in Social Work, PGC in Social Work, CQSW, DipSW or equivalent and be registered with Social Work England.
• You will have successfully completed your ASYE.
• You will have a full driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes (including business use for carrying passengers).
• For further information on the qualifications, skills and experience required, please refer to the Job Profile and Person Specification.

Important Information

• Applicants must be able to demonstrate all criteria which are essential for appointment to the role.
• For further information, and for details of the benefits of working for Medway Council, please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online.
• Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.
• Please note, we prioritise applications from current Medway Council redeployees. We will let you know if this post is to be filled by a redeployee as, in this instance, your application will unfortunately not be taken forward.
• We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.

Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.