INTERNAL ONLY VACANCY. This post is open to existing Leeds City Council employees only. Applications will not be considered from external candidates.

Job Title: Child Health and Disability (CHAD) Social Worker

Salary: PO1 £38,220 - £40,777
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: 1 x Permanent & 1 x Temporary (18 months)
Location: St Georges Centre Community Hub, Leeds (Permanent), Technorth, Chapel Allerton, Leeds (Temporary)

An exciting opportunity has arisen

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and qualified Social Worker to join the Child Health and Disability (CHAD) Service within Leeds Children's Social Work Service.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions and who are committed to improving outcomes for children, young people and families across Leeds.

About You

We are seeking an experienced Social Worker who is passionate about working with children and young people with disabilities and complex health needs. You will have strong assessment, analytical and relationship-based practice skills, with the ability to work restoratively alongside children, young people, their families and partner agencies.

You will have experience of statutory social work practice, including assessment, planning, safeguarding and care planning, and will be confident in managing a varied caseload. The successful candidate will be committed to ensuring the voice of the child informs all assessments, plans and interventions, whilst promoting independence, inclusion and positive outcomes.

You will be able to work effectively within a multi-agency environment and understand the unique challenges faced by children with disabilities and their families. You will demonstrate resilience, professional curiosity and a commitment to delivering high-quality services in line with the Leeds Practice Model.

About the Role

The Child Health and Disability Team provides specialist support to children and young people with severe and profound disabilities, complex health needs and their families.

As a CHAD Social Worker, you will:

Manage a caseload of children and young people with disabilities and additional needs.
Undertake assessments, planning and reviews in line with statutory duties and Children's Social Work Service procedures.
Work directly with children and young people to ensure their views, wishes and feelings inform assessments, plans and interventions.
Develop and maintain effective relationships with families, carers and partner agencies.
Identify, assess and manage safeguarding concerns and risks.
Participate in Child in Need, Child Protection, Looked After Children and Care Act-related work where required.
Complete high-quality assessments, reports and case recordings to support decision making and care planning.
Convene and contribute to multi-agency meetings and reviews.
Support families to access services, resources and community opportunities that maximise independence and improve outcomes.
Work collaboratively with education, health, SEND, and voluntary sector partners to deliver coordinated support.
Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of practice.

The successful candidate will receive ongoing management support, supervision, training and opportunities for continuing professional development.

What We Offer You

We take pride in offering an excellent employee experience, with benefits including:

A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.
A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
A comprehensive package of staff benefits to support wellbeing and financial wellbeing.
Access to specialist disability and safeguarding training.
Regular professional supervision and support.

Essential Requirements

Applicants must:

Hold a recognised Social Work qualification (BA, MA, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent).
Be registered with Social Work England.
Have a minimum of 12 months post-qualification experience in a statutory social work setting.
Demonstrate experience of assessment, care planning and safeguarding practice.
Have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Be able to work effectively within multi-disciplinary and multi-agency settings.
Demonstrate commitment to children's rights, restorative practice and promoting positive outcomes.

How to Apply

This post is available to internal applicants only.

For further information regarding the role, please contact Lahra Spence, Team Manager, at lahra.spence@leeds.gov.uk

Application Forms should be completed and returned to Aamar Mahmood, Service Delivery Manager, at Aamar.Mahmood@leeds.gov.uk by Wednesday 16th September 2026.

Please ensure you have discussed your application with your Team Manager prior to submission.

Interviews: Date TBC at St Georges Centre Community Hub, St Georges Road, Middleton, Leeds, LS10 4UZ

Additional Information

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children's Barred List will be carried out on the preferred candidate.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans, LGBT+ people, ethnically diverse people, disabled people and care experienced individuals.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment.

Job Description

Job Purpose:

Under the general direction of a Team Manager to provide a high quality and comprehensive social work service to children, their families, and carers, in accordance with the organisational needs, policy and practices of the Directorate and within statutory guidelines. To Develop relationships with children, young people, and families/carers so as to best provide a high-quality service, Honour commitments, and demonstrate accountability. The work will be undertaken with supervision and guidance from the Team Manager. This may include elements of co-working more challenging/complex casework.

The post holder must at all times carry out the responsibilities within the City Council’s Policies and Procedures, and also within the Social Work England Code of Practice.

Responsibilities:

Responsible for a caseload which includes the assessment of needs and management of risk regarding children, their families, and carers.
Maintain and update case notes and other records, write reports as required and if required, give evidence in court in relation to care or other proceedings.
Contribute to planning and developing of future services and policies and promote innovative ways of developing support to service users. Supervise students.
Carry a caseload and undertake assessment of service users and carer needs using a child focused approach in accordance with agreed statutory and directorate procedures.
On the basis of assessed needs and risks and, using a child focused approach, devise and implement service and support plans which correspond to the assessed needs of service users, their families, and carers in line with procedures.
Responsible for analysing information to support the on-going needs of users, their families, and carers.
Monitor and contribute to the review of plans relating to the assessed needs of service users, their families, and carers in accordance with directorate procedures
Use a safeguarding framework, to make enquiries, investigate and manage risks where children have experienced or likely to experience significant harm.
Provide written and verbal reports which are concise, informative, and based on analysis of complex evidence which can be used within the legal context.
Maintain and update case notes and other records and write reports as required.
Work directly with children and young people to ensure that assessments and interventions are informed by their views.
Use management information systems, keeping them up to date and able to provide concise and accurate information about circumstances and plans within the requirements of data protection.
Comply with relevant governance, policy, and procedures
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other professionals within the directorate and partner agencies to ensure integrated, holistic, and multidisciplinary approach to the care management and safeguarding of service users.
Contribute to the promotion of improved outcomes for individuals, families, carers, and groups from diverse and disadvantaged communities.
Responsible for understanding and applying all relevant practice standards, policies, and procedures.
Responsible for planning and negotiating a range of appropriate services and interventions that meet the needs of service users within delegated levels of responsibility.
Identify and implement strategies for responding appropriately to concerns about practice or procedures, seeking guidance if required.
Appropriately participate in meetings and relevant forums and convene and chair multi-agency meetings in line with procedures.
Organise work activities taking account of the need to prioritise tasks and responsibilities ensuring statutory legislation and service priorities are met.
Work to and within the prescribed knowledge and skill statement (Child & Family Social Work 2014)
Work to the prescribed standards for service provision and maintain performance and develop practice and experience in line with personal targets as agreed with line manager through supervision and appraisal.
Carry out the role and responsibilities of key worker for a caseload which will include statutory work
Undertake assessment, planning and reviewing of work concerning children in need, children subject to child protection plans and children who are looked after in care.
Working restoratively to develop and maintain effective relationships with children and young people, their families, and carers to achieve positive outcomes.
Participate in arrangements to receive, screen, and respond to requests for service and referrals
Work with children and young people, families, and carers to help them make informed decisions, enabling them to clarify and express their needs and contribute to service planning
Where necessary work in the court arena with appropriate support to obtain and implement court orders
Plan and commission services and support for children, young people, and their families
Contribute to the development of practice and services through participation in workshops, and consultations.
Undertake preventative work with families in order to reduce the need for children to become looked after in care.
Work with relevant agencies, including the convening and chairing of meetings.
Carry out the Practice Educator Level 1 role
Promote the right to advocacy to all children and young people on their caseload and offer full information on how to make complaints.
Being available for young people to contact and respond to phone calls/call them back promptly.
Make young people aware of whom they can contact outside office hours.
Flexible working arrangements, including evening and/or weekends, may be necessary on occasion to complete on-going casework, emergency situations, evening visits or meetings.
Work as part of a team within a health and social care setting, maintaining effective relationships with other colleagues, Elected Members, service users, families, carers, and other agencies.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade
Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills
To improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes.
To work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g. child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding and promoting the values, standards and equal opportunities of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications Appropriate professional qualification (Degree, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent) Registration with Social Work England upon commencement in post and maintain registration. The post holder should have achieved or commenced the Practice Educator Level 1 qualification after 2 years post qualification but within an agreed timescale starting in this post

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate

Skills Required

Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
Able to effectively plan, manage, prioritise, and evaluate work with users
Able to plan, prioritise and time manage own workload.
Able to communicate and pass information effectively, accurately, and concisely with a range of partners and services users, carers, and colleagues
Able to engage individuals, families, carers, and workers from other agencies
Able to identify appropriate social work interventions in order to promote positive change
Able to devise and implement service and support plans
Able to assess the needs of and work with individuals and groups using a person-centred approach
Able to maintain accurate service user records, assessments and follow policy and procedure
Able to record, evidence and communicate using technology
Able to exercise individual judgement, assess risk and consult where and when appropriate.
Able to make proactive use of Supervision to reflect critically on practice and explore different approaches to work and understand the boundaries of professional accountability.
Ability to chair routine or less complex meetings
Able to work and engage with children and young people and use their views to inform assessments, plans and interventions.

Knowledge Required

Appropriate social work professional qualification (BSc, BA, MA, DipSW, CQSW, or equivalent)
Registration with Social Work England
Of the range of theories and models for Social Work intervention with individuals, families, groups, and communities.
Of relevant legislation appropriate to the needs of service users from a wide range of backgrounds
Awareness of the broad range of factors that impact on service users and families e.g., drugs, alcohol domestic violence
Understanding of the roles and responsibilities of statutory and voluntary agencies.
Basic awareness of IT systems including Microsoft Office, Internet, and Email,
Of current, trends, policies, legislation, and regulatory bodies in relation to vulnerable people within a social care setting
Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of confidentiality and the needs and wishes of individuals, families, and carers as appropriate.
Demonstrate an awareness of needs and safeguarding issues associated with vulnerable people.
Demonstrate an understanding of diversity issues within local communities.
Report Writing and Communications Skills
Completion of NQSW programme or the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE)

Experience Required

Of implementing a person centred/child focused approach
Demonstrated creativity in tackling and solving problems
Of advocacy and user involvement.
Of using initiative and a commitment to develop services
Of use of reflective practice techniques to critically analyse information to inform decision making and planning
Of producing records and reports to a high standard for a variety of purposes with language suited to function
Of information gathering skills to make and contribute to assessments
Of using supervision effectively
Minimum of 12 months post qualification experience of working in a statutory setting
Of devising, implementing, and reviewing support plans

Behavioural and other Characteristics required

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all, working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role. Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate

Skills Required

Possession of a full current driving licence

Knowledge Required

Of the range of services available to Service users, families, and carers

Experience Required

Of working with a wide range of Service user groups

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