We provide the opportunities that will help you grow your career with us - a range of learning and development opportunities are available in line with our ‘grow your own’ ethos. This includes a career progression scheme, work-related training including workbook and motivational interviews, support in maintaining a CPD log, group supervisions, learning new systems and processes and an opportunity to gain social work qualifications if you are not yet a qualified social worker.

But we offer a wider range of benefits to ensure you feel valued and supported too.

Salaries that fit with experience

Our social workers are paid at grade 11 (£37,261-£40,478). Experienced social workers working at senior practitioner level or with equivalent skills and experience would be offered between £41,496-£44,539  at grade 12. Pay awards are also made, subject to trade unions agreement.

A welcome and loyalty bonus

A welcome and loyalty bonus is paid to experienced social workers, assistant team managers and team managers appointed in MASH, Family Solutions Plus (FSP), Children We Care For (CWCF) and the Youth Justice & Exploitation Service (YJES).

This is subject to a minimum of three years’ post-qualifying relevant work experience and successful completion of a six-month probationary period.

A relocation scheme for newly appointed employees

If you need to move home to take up a job with us, you can take advantage of up to £8,000 in financial assistance (subject to meeting eligibility criteria).

Pensions from the moment you join us

The local government pension scheme (LGPS) will be available as soon as you start.

30 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Our annual leave year runs from 1 April to 31 March. For employees with over 10 years of continued service, the annual leave entitlement is 32 days per year.

Other additional leave

We recognise there may be occasions when you need some time off to deal with personal circumstances. A range of options are available to help you, such as carers planned leave, emergency leave, shared parental leave, parental leave, time off for studying and exams or attending public duties. We also have planned disability-related leave for our employees with disabilities.  

Flexibility in how you work

Part-time working, flexi-time, hybrid working and job sharing are all available to help our staff maintain an effective work-life balance. We’re committed to making sure that our staff can work at times best suited to them and their families.

A celebration of success

Tenacious, resilient, innovative, committed…the list goes on and we couldn’t be prouder of our staff and what they deliver. Our annual awards are our way of thanking not just the winners, but all our valued staff for their continued hard work and dedication.

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Our employee assistance programme is delivered by Vita Wellbeing who provide free, confidential personal support service to support our employees and managers on a range of matters including personal and family crisis, illness, debt, bereavement, relationships, legal advice, benefits, tax credits and more. They also provide counselling and wellbeing support.

Lifestyle savings with Vivup

From saving on your weekly food shop to making tech deals more affordable, our lifestyle savings app Vivup gives access to benefits that are designed to improve your physical, financial and mental health wellbeing. 

Trained mental health first aiders

We have trained mental health first aiders who are available should you need support. We also have a variety of online sessions available for staff to benefit from every month.

Discounts and other benefits

There is a large range of local discounts available for staff at restaurants, leisure centres, gyms, and for holidays, travel, health and beauty, days out and entertainment.

We also offer a childcare voucher scheme, cycle 2 work scheme and electric car benefit scheme subject to eligibility criteria being met.  

Staff network groups

There is a range of corporate staff networks to get involved in.

Access to equipment

We provide you with modern equipment, including your own laptop and mobile to support you to work flexibly.

A transparent mileage and expense claim policy

You can claim for mileage if you travel from home to a site that is not your normal place of work or from your normal place of work to a site.