About this role
| Salary £36,363 - £40,778 Per annum | Fixed Term, Until August 2026 | Permanent, 37 Hours Per Week | Preston & Surrounding Areas |
International Sponsorship - this role is not open to international sponsorship
Social Worker | Empower Contextual Safeguarding
Location: Preston – travel required to Chorley, South Ribble & Skelmersdale.
Our Contextual Safeguarding Team are seeking a dedicated and passionate Social Worker to join us on a full time, temporary basis. The role will be based in Preston; however travel will be required to surrounding areas including Chorley, South Ribble & Skelmersdale.
About Us…
Lancashire County Council Children's Services is a progressive and innovative place to work, embracing relationship-based practice, strengths-based approaches and the Family Safeguarding model of practice.
The Contextual Safeguarding Team work with young people aged 13 to 18 years who are experiencing exploitation and/or harm outside of the home.
This is an exciting time to join Lancashire's Contextual Safeguarding Service, as we redesign our approach to supporting children who are experiencing extra-familial harm. By adopting the TCE practice principles and expanding our multi-disciplinary teams, you can build meaningful relationships with young people, supporting them to achieve positive outcomes in their lives
About the role…
The different relationships that children form in their neighbourhoods, schools and online can feature violence and abuse. Parents and carers often have little influence over these contexts of extra familial harm, undermining the parent-child relationship. You will utilise a Contextual Safeguarding approach to understand and respond to young people's experiences of significant harm beyond their families.
Working in a multi-agency team, the role is geared towards building trusted relationships with teenage children and requires concentrated periods of time working collaboratively with the young people and their families. As a Contextual Safeguarding Social Worker, you will work with other agencies to assess risk and formulate plans to support the needs of young people.
About you…
This role is well suited to social workers who have a particular interest in working with adolescents, trauma informed practice, therapeutic interventions, and the completion of direct work. We're looking for a dedicated Social Worker who has:
- Recognised Social Work Qualification & Social Work England Registration
- The ability to work collaboratively as part of a multi-agency team.
- Prior experience working with children, young people and their families.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Full UK Drivers License and access to your own vehicle.
Why Join us?
In return for your passion and expertise, we also offer a generous benefits package which includes:
- A competitive salary and Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions and optional Additional Voluntary Contributions.
- A great holiday entitlement of 26 days annual leave, which rises with length of service. You will also be entitled to 8 Bank Holidays, 2 additional statutory Bank Holidays, and have the option to buy additional leave each year.
- Our staff discount scheme in partnership with Vivup allowing you to access discounts with a range of UK retailers, saving on everything from weekly food shops to white goods and cars.
How to apply:
To submit your application, please click 'Apply Now' and ensure you attach your most recent CV and Supporting Statement
For an informal discussion please contact Team Manager: Sophie Eaves [email protected]
Closing Date: 15th February 2026
Interview date: TBC
We reserve the right to close down a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications.
Please ensure you have uploaded and attached your supporting statement to evidence how you meet the criteria for the role. The panel may be unable to shortlist you for interview without this evidence.
The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Further information can be found on the 'Our Recruitment Process' tab.
You will be required to provide a car for use in connection with the duties of this post and must be insured for business use.
You must be registered with Social Work England to be appointed as a Social Worker.
Other facts
About Lancashire County Council
Lancashire County Council is committed to improving the quality of life for everyone in Lancashire. We believe that all our citizens have the right to be treated fairly. We recognise that some people do not get an equal chance in life.
For some of our children and young people this can have a lasting impact on their future. We will play our part in helping to narrow the gaps that exist between different parts our communities and improving the quality of life of those who have less advantages and are in danger of poor outcomes.
As a community leader, employer and provider of services we want to make sure that everyone in Lancashire has the opportunity to achieve their potential, no matter where they live or what their background, individual characteristics or personal circumstances might be.
What you'll do
- The Social Worker will work with young people aged 13 to 18 who are experiencing exploitation and harm outside of the home. They will utilize a Contextual Safeguarding approach to assess risks and formulate support plans in collaboration with multi-agency teams.
Ready to join Lancashire County Council?
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