Children’s and Families Social Care Careers

That is Children’s and Families Social Care in Somerset right now. We are putting our most vulnerable children at the heart of our priorities and continuing to improve further the support we give them. Their safety is, and always will be, our number one priority.

We are on a journey. Our improved Ofsted rating is a testament to the hard work and commitment of all of our colleagues. Inspectors have recognised the continuous improvement and praised, among other things, appropriate caseloads for newly qualified social workers. They also mentioned that our social workers feel well supported and receive supervision they value.

Of course, we are not stopping. We will never stop. That is why we are looking for social workers who share our passion for improving outcomes for children and their families.

We have recently published our Somerset Children and Young People’s Plan 2024 to 2027. It is the vision of all services working with vulnerable children and families. Working in partnership to improve not just single lives but the communities that support these individuals. You can also read our Children and Young People’s Plan.

Our Somerset Children and Young People’s Plan

Our Children and Young People’s Plan

Are you currently an agency social worker in children’s services at Somerset Council, and considering becoming a permanent employee?

Being a permanent employee enables you to make a meaningful impact and build trusting professional relationships, as well as providing long-term career progression opportunities, job stability and financial security.

At Somerset Children’s Social Care, learning and development sit at the heart of our work. We build a confident, skilled, and resilient workforce through a clear, evidence-based offer that supports you at every career stage.

Whether you are new to social care, an experienced practitioner, or joining from another background, you can access high-quality training and reflective supervision. We also offer ongoing professional development.

We base our approach on relationship-based, trauma-informed, and anti-discriminatory practice. This links your learning to real outcomes for children and families.

We provide clear progression pathways, specialist training, and strong support. Somerset is a place where you can develop, grow, and lead your practice with confidence.

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Our Social Care Academy develops the practice skills our workforce needs to achieve the best outcomes for children and families.
We provide a structured and supportive learning environment that strengthens real-world practice. This helps staff build confidence in relationship-based, trauma-informed, and strengths-focused approaches.

We work in partnership across the service. The Academy brings together professionals from different roles and backgrounds to learn together, share expertise, and promote consistent practice.

We also recognise the need for role-specific development. We offer tailored training pathways and specialist learning opportunities. This ensures all staff, regardless of role, have the knowledge and skills to deliver high-quality care.

We are committed to growing and developing our workforce through a wide range of apprenticeship opportunities. We support staff at every stage of their career.

Apprenticeships are central to our “grow your own” approach. They help you gain recognised qualifications while building skills through real-world practice. Programmes include the Social Work Degree Apprenticeship (SWDA), which offers a supported route to becoming a qualified social worker. You combine academic learning with practical experience. Alongside SWDA, we offer apprenticeships across a range of roles and levels. We recognise that career development looks different for everyone.

Our apprenticeship pathways build your confidence, knowledge, and practical skills. They help you progress your career while making a meaningful difference to children, young people, and families in Somerset.

We lead the Step Up to Social Work programme as the South West regional partnership lead. We work with local authorities to develop the next generation of social workers.

This nationally recognised, fully funded postgraduate programme offers a fast-track route into social work. It combines academic study with practical experience to build confident, capable practitioners. The programme supports people who want to change careers and make a meaningful difference. It shows our commitment to growing a skilled and resilient workforce.

Through this partnership, we shape high-quality training and support learners throughout their journey. We also help strengthen the social care workforce across Somerset and the wider region.

We work in partnership with Frontline to deliver high-quality development programmes. These programmes support new and existing practitioners to grow and succeed in children’s social care.

The approach to social work programme offers a work-based route into the profession. It combines fully funded academic study with hands-on experience in our teams. This helps individuals build the skills, knowledge and resilience needed to support children and families.

We also invest in leadership development through Frontline programmes such as Progress Social Work. These programmes help current and aspiring leaders strengthen supervision, decision-making and strategic leadership skills.

Together, these programmes show our commitment to developing confident practitioners and strong leaders. They support consistent, high-quality practice and improve outcomes for children and families.

Our Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) gives newly qualified social workers a structured, supportive start to practice. It helps you build confidence, develop core skills, and establish strong career foundations.

Dedicated consultant social workers support you throughout the programme. They assess, coach, and mentor you, offering regular guidance and high-quality reflective supervision.

The programme includes a comprehensive induction week, monthly learning sessions, and peer support groups. You will also gain experience through shadowing and observed practice in real-world settings.

We protect your development time and limit the number of children and families you support. This approach allows you to focus on learning, reflection, and safe, effective practice.

Together, these elements ensure you feel supported and valued, and are ready to deliver high-quality outcomes for children and families in Somerset.