Social Worker

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract Until September 2027

Contract Reason: Secondment Cover

Secondment Opportunity: Permanent employees are encouraged to apply and will be supported as part of our workforce development commitment

Salary: Grade H. Scale 29 - £39,862 to Scale 34 - £45,091 with a professional bar at Scale 31 - £41,771**

Hours Per Week: 36 hours

Base Location: Jubilee Gardens, Gardenfold Way, Droylsden M43 7XU and Tameside One, Market Place, Ashton-U-Lyne, OL6 6BH
Assessment Date: 4^th August 2026

The Role

As a Social Worker on the CWD team you will be joining a multi-agency team supporting disabled children and their families. You will be working alongside colleagues from multi-disciplinary professions who are also passionate about delivering the best possible services for disabled children.

Within this role, you will have the opportunity to be creative in the delivery of support to families using a range of interventions and be integral to the ongoing development of services for children and young people with additional needs. CWD’s vision is promoting excellent outcomes for children and their families. Your caseload will range from Child in Need to Looked After Children where you may be working with a child until they reach 18 years of age.

At the heart of this role is our Heart of Support Practice Approach, underpinned by the 5 C’s Compassion, Curiosity, Collaboration, Conversation and Courage. These values are the golden thread in how we work with children, families and each other. You will champion the Heart of Support and play a pivotal role in embedding systemic practice across the service.

We are committed to safeguarding and championing the welfare of children, young people, and families. Protecting and empowering our communities is at the heart of everything we do, and we expect every member of our team to share that commitment and help us make a meaningful difference.

About You

We are looking for a social worker who can undertake effective assessments of need in an innovative way, with the ability to co-ordinate the provision of appropriate services. Applications are encouraged from newly qualified Social Workers who have gained substantial relevant experience through placements or previous roles within a Children with Disabilities Team and can evidence a strong commitment to working with disabled children and families.

In return, you will be surrounded by a strong supportive network of experienced Social Workers and Managers who will provide you with a comprehensive induction, training, help and advice to enable you to reach your full potential.

About Us

Hear from Jill Colbert OBE, Director of Children’s Services

“When I first joined the council at the beginning of 2025 I was instantly charmed by the warmth, openness, and energy of my colleagues.

“The reason why I came to Tameside was because I knew we could do fantastic things for our families here.

“Whilst we’re currently a children’s service on a significant improvement journey, I’m proud of the progress we’ve made together, and this is already making a difference for our children.

“I know from the feedback from our Commissioner, Ofsted and our Strategic Improvement Partner, that families are seeing and feeling the impact of the thoughtful and compassionate support delivered by our workforce.

“We know that if we keep children at the centre of our thinking and our actions, we will create meaningful change for them that lasts.

“We are also growing and investing in our future. We have a range of specialist services for children, giving social workers quick access to expert help that makes complex decisions easier and supports better outcomes. Our Social Work Academy is led by people who bring passion to learning. We are strengthening our progression pathways so that staying in Tameside is rewarded and recognised. We have invested in innovation and improvement so that we can grow services and support for families that we can sustain, from family hubs through to complex safeguarding.

“Together, we are creating a proud, inclusive, and safe environment where great practice can truly flourish. And I feel incredibly privileged to lead this journey alongside such dedicated colleagues.

“Be a part of something great, be a part of our improvement journey and join us at Team Tameside.”

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expect all staff to share this commitment. This position is subject to Enhanced Disclosure Procedures.

This post is a designated customer facing role under the fluency duty and requires a specified level of spoken English in the person specification.

All appointments will be to the bottom salary point in the grade with annual incremental progression each April until the grade maximum is reached. Where an individual can provide evidence that their existing salary in a relevant role surpasses the grade starting salary, a higher entry salary will be considered, subject to the professional grade development criteria also being met if that point is higher than the bar point.

** This post is classified as being in a professional job category. As such the grade for the job has a professional grade development bar which employees can progress through subject to meeting the following criteria:

1. Relevant professional qualification for the job role at Level 6 or above, AND

2. Minimum of 2 years post qualification experience in the role, AND

3. Maintained membership of a regulated body where this is a requirement to practice in the role where applicable, AND

4. Professional standards practised to the highest expected level.

Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to offer sponsorship.

We are committed to developing a culture which respects individuals, appreciates difference and allows everyone regardless of background to reach their full potential. We are proud to be an accredited disability confident employer. Reasonable Adjustments will be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 in relation to the Job Role Criteria.

Our rewards and benefits package can be viewed

For further information about this role please contact the recruiting manager on 01613422466 or maria.palma@tameside.gov.uk