Children's Services Vacancies

Working for Nottingham City Council comes with a wide range of benefits. Alongside competitive pay, generous annual leave and access to an excellent pension scheme, we are committed to creating an innovative, inclusive, and progressive workplace where colleagues are supported to be their very best.

Our benefits include:

• A competitive salary
• Generous annual leave entitlement (between 26 and 33 days per year depending on your length of service)
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme with an 18.5% employer contribution
• Flexible hybrid working
• A strong focus on wellbeing
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression

In return, we are looking for compassionate, dedicated people who share our commitment to improving outcomes for children, young people, adults, and families across Nottingham. If you are passionate about making a positive difference through education and social care and want to help people thrive, we would love to hear from you.

You can find out more about the benefits available to our colleagues on our Nottingham City Council Employee Benefits webpage 

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Nottingham City Council is committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We are a fair and inclusive employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and abilities. We value diversity and recognise that different perspectives, experiences and ideas help us deliver better services for Nottingham's citizens.

We particularly welcome applications from people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, disabled people, and people who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender (LGBT+), as these groups are currently underrepresented in our workforce.

Right to Work

Candidates must have the legal right to work in the UK. Any offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of right to work checks in accordance with Home Office requirements.

Personal Advisor
Hybrid Working
Full-Time 37 hours a week
Salary: £32,597 to £35,412
Permanent

Download Job Description 

Are you passionate about making a lasting difference to the lives of care-experienced young people? We are looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic Personal Advisor to join our Leaving Care Service and support young people as they transition into independent adulthood.

As a Personal Advisor, you will build positive and trusting relationships with young people, providing practical, emotional and social support tailored to their individual needs and aspirations. You will manage a caseload of Children in Care and Care Leavers, developing and reviewing Pathway Plans, advocating on their behalf, and helping them access the opportunities and services they need to thrive.

Working closely with colleagues and partner agencies across housing, education, health, social care and the voluntary sector, you will play a key role in supporting young people to secure suitable accommodation, engage in education, employment or training, and develop the skills and confidence needed for independent living.

We are looking for someone with experience of working with young people, strong communication and relationship-building skills, and a commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for care-experienced young people.

You will be an effective advocate, organised in your approach to case management, and able to work collaboratively within a multi-agency environment.

How to apply

Please submit your CV and a supporting statement setting out how you meet the criteria for the role to: cestom@nottinghamcity.gov.uk  

• The closing date for applications is 23.59 on Sunday 11th October.
• Please state which role you are applying for in the subject field of your email
• If you have any questions about the role or recruitment process, please contact cestom@nottinghamcity.gov.uk  

Please note: Do not use AI tools to generate your response, as this will be checked and considered during shortlisting.

(Note: as we have multiple Personal Advisor vacancies, we may contact you before the closing date)

Contract - Permanent
Location - Hybrid / Loxley House, Station Street, Nottingham NG2 3NG
Salary - £72,917 - £81,700

Changing Lives, Changing Futures

Nottingham City Council is on a significant journey of improvement, reform and transformation across Children's and Education Services.
 
We are redesigning services, strengthening practice, and building a more connected system around children, young people, and families. With a clear vision, strong leadership, and a commitment to continuous improvement, this is an exciting opportunity to join us and help shape the future of services across our city.
 
Every child deserves the chance to grow up safe, loved and supported to achieve their potential. In Nottingham, we are determined to make that a reality for our children in care and care experienced young people.

As Head of Children in Care, you will lead and shape our Children in Care services at a pivotal time for Children's Services. This is a rare opportunity to make a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people while helping to deliver our ambitious vision for the future.
 
You will lead services across children in care, permanence and care leavers, you will ensure children experience stability, strong relationships and high-quality support when they need it most. 
 
You will champion excellent practice, drive continuous improvement and create the conditions for children and young people to thrive.
As a key member of the Children's Services leadership team, you will lead high-performing managers and teams, build strong partnerships across the city and play a central role in shaping services that deliver outstanding outcomes.
 
We are looking for a confident and inspiring leader with significant experience in children's social care, a passion for improving lives and a track record of leading change.
 
You will:

• Provide strategic leadership across children in care and care leaver services
• Champion high-quality, relationship-based practice
• Lead and develop high-performing teams
• Drive improvement, innovation and transformation
• Build strong partnerships that deliver better outcomes for children and young people
• Ensure services are safe, effective and focused on what matters most, helping children achieve their best possible future.
  If you are ambitious for children, committed to excellence and ready to lead positive change, we would love to hear from you.

Head of Children in Care Job Description

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a supporting statement setting out how you meet the criteria for the role to: helen.pearson2@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Please state the role you are applying for in the subject field of your email.

The closing date for applications is 23.59 on Friday 9th October. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as vacancies may close before the advertised closing date if we receive a high volume of applications.

If you have any questions about the role or recruitment process, please contact helen.pearson2@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

• Hybrid Working
• Full-Time 37 hours a week
• Permanent
• Team Manager - Children in Care Team Job Description

As Team Manager for the Children in Care Team, you will play a key role in helping us deliver our vision that every child in Nottingham is seen, heard, and supported to thrive. You will lead a dedicated team committed to providing stable, nurturing, and ambitious support for children and young people in our care, ensuring they have every opportunity to achieve positive outcomes and reach their full potential.

You will be responsible for overseeing high-quality social work practice, ensuring statutory responsibilities are met and children receive the right support at the right time. Through effective leadership and management oversight, you will ensure care planning is child-centred, purposeful, and focused on achieving permanence, stability and positive long-term outcomes for children and young people.

Working closely with foster carers, residential providers, education, health, and partner agencies, you will champion collaborative working that places children at the centre of decision-making. You will support children to maintain meaningful relationships, achieve their educational potential, and access the services and opportunities they need to thrive.

We are seeking an experienced and passionate manager with a strong understanding of children's social care and the needs of children in care. You will bring excellent leadership and practice development skills, alongside a commitment to relationship-based practice, high professional standards, and continuous improvement.

You will play a key role in driving high-quality practice across the team, ensuring children's voices are heard and their experiences shape the support they receive. Through effective leadership, you will help create a culture of aspiration, accountability and learning, improving life chances and achieving the best possible outcomes for children and young people across Nottingham.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a supporting statement setting out how you meet the criteria for the role to: helen.pearson2@nottinghamcity.gov.uk 

Please state the role you are applying for in the subject field of your email.

The closing date for applications is 23.59 on Friday 9^th October. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as vacancies may close before the advertised closing date if we receive a high volume of applications.

If you have any questions about the role or recruitment process, please contact helen.pearson2@nottinghamcity.gov.uk 

• Hybrid Working
• Full-Time 37 hours a week
• Permanent
• Team Manager - Children in Care Team Job Description

As Team Manager for the Care Leavers Team, you will lead and support a dedicated team working with young people transitioning from care into adulthood, ensuring they are equipped with the support, opportunities, and relationships they need to build successful, independent, and fulfilling adult lives.

You will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of high-quality services to care-experienced young people, ensuring statutory responsibilities are met and that pathway planning is ambitious, strengths-based and focused on helping every young person achieve their goals, realise their potential and make a successful transition to adulthood. Through strong leadership and management oversight, you will ensure young people receive timely, responsive, and tailored support as they progress towards greater independence.

Working closely with housing, education, employment, health, social care and community partners, you will promote a joined-up approach that ensures young people have access to safe and suitable accommodation, meaningful education, training and employment opportunities, and the practical and emotional support needed to thrive as independent adults.

We are seeking an experienced and passionate manager with a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing care-experienced young people. You will bring excellent leadership and practice development skills, alongside a commitment to relationship-based practice, partnership working, and continuous improvement.

You will play a key role in championing the voices, ambitions, and lived experiences of care-experienced young people, ensuring they remain at the centre of service delivery and development. Through strong leadership, you will help create a service where young people feel seen, heard, and supported, building confidence, resilience, and independence as they move into adulthood and achieve the futures they want for themselves.

As part of our continued investment in services for care-experienced young people, you will help shape and lead a strengthened Care Leavers Service focused on aspiration, independence, and positive outcomes for young people across Nottingham.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a supporting statement setting out how you meet the criteria for the role to: helen.pearson2@nottinghamcity.gov.uk 

Please state the role you are applying for in the subject field of your email.

The closing date for applications is 23.59 on Friday 9^th October. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as vacancies may close before the advertised closing date if we receive a high volume of applications.

If you have any questions about the role or recruitment process, please contact helen.pearson2@nottinghamcity.gov.uk 

Working pattern: Hybrid working
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week
Salary: £40,777 to £44,075
Contract: Permanent

Ready to take the next step in your social work career?

At Nottingham City Children's Services, we're committed to helping social workers develop, thrive and progress throughout their careers.

We currently have vacancies across the following teams:

• Locality Social Work Teams
• Children in Care
• Fostering Kinship Team
• Children with Disabilities
• Permanence

As a Level 2 Social Worker, you'll build on your post-qualification experience, taking responsibility for more complex cases with increasing autonomy and professional confidence. Working directly with children, young people and families, you'll undertake assessments, lead family network meetings, contribute to statutory decision-making, and coordinate multi-agency responses to improve outcomes for children.

This is an exciting opportunity for qualified and registered social workers who have completed their ASYE and are looking to broaden their skills and deepen their expertise. You'll further develop your risk assessment, professional judgement and court work experience, while also supporting colleagues and contributing to a culture of excellent practice.

Through reflective supervision, coaching and ongoing professional development, you'll be supported to strengthen your practice, grow your confidence and continue progressing your social work career within a service that values learning, development and professional excellence.

Our career pathway recognises growing knowledge, experience and professional influence, while creating opportunities to make a meaningful difference to the lives of children, young people and families across the city and supporting your progression into more advanced social work and practice leadership roles.

How to apply

Please submit your CV and a supporting statement setting out how you meet the criteria for the role to: helen.pearson2@nottinghamcity.gov.uk 

The closing date for applications is 23.59 on Wednesday 30th September.

• We have multiple vacancies across our services; if you are shortlisted, we may contact you before Wednesday 30th September.
• Please state the team you are applying for in the subject field of your email.
• If you have any questions about the role or recruitment process, please contact helen.pearson2@nottinghamcity.gov.uk 

Working pattern: Hybrid working
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week
Salary: £36,362 – £39,152 per annum
Contract: Permanent

Download Job Description

At Nottingham City Council, we are reshaping how we support children, young people and families by focusing on early help, strong relationships and services that work together more effectively. Our ambition is to create a system that fits around children and families, not the other way around.

We work collaboratively across education, health, social care and community services to provide joined-up support that improves outcomes. Children's Services is on an exciting improvement journey, and we are investing in our workforce to ensure social workers have the support, resources and development opportunities they need to thrive. As a Newly Qualified Social Worker, you will be welcomed into a positive and supportive environment where you can build confidence, develop your skills and make a meaningful difference to the lives of children and families.

We are committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-informed practice and have invested in therapeutic and multi-systemic approaches that help families achieve lasting change and strengthen frontline social work practice.

As part of our Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE), you will have the opportunity to gain experience across a range of services, including assessment and safeguarding, family support and intervention, children in care, permanence planning and support for care leavers. Each area offers unique learning opportunities, strong management support and the chance to contribute to positive outcomes for children, young people and families across Nottingham.

The role

As a Social Worker Level 1, you will support children, young people and families by building relationships, understanding need and helping to keep children safe.

You will:

• Hold a caseload of Child in Need cases and co-work more complex work, including Child Protection
• Complete assessments, visits and direct work with children and families
• Develop and review plans that reduce risk and meet children’s needs
• Work closely with colleagues and partner agencies
• Learn to use legal and safeguarding frameworks in your practice
• Keep clear records and contribute to reports, including for court
• Meet the national requirements for early career social worker development

You will begin by working alongside experienced social workers and will build your confidence and independence through a structured early career programme.

This includes a comprehensive package of support, supervision and development aligned to national standards, supporting your progression across your first two years in practice.

About you

You are a qualified and registered social worker at the start of your career, or about to qualify. You are committed to learning and want to build strong, effective practice.

You will bring:

• A recognised social work qualification and Social Work England registration
• A good understanding of safeguarding and the needs of children and families
• Strong communication and relationship building skills
• The ability to reflect on your practice and use supervision well
• Curiosity, motivation and a willingness to learn 

You will keep the focus on the experiences and outcomes of children and families in all that you do.

How to apply

Please submit your CV and a supporting statement setting out how you meet the criteria for the role to: cestom@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 23.59 on Wednesday 23rd September.

• We have multiple vacancies across our services; if you are shortlisted, we may contact you before Wednesday 30th September.
• If you have any questions about the role or recruitment process, please contact cestom@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Inspection and Improvement Team Manager (Grade J) 
Hybrid Working
Full-Time 37 hours a week
Salary: £51,356 – £54,495
Permanent 

Download Job Description

As Inspection and Improvement Team Manager you will play a key role in driving excellence across Children's Services, leading activity that supports continuous improvement, quality assurance and inspection readiness.

You will provide leadership and oversight for the development, implementation and monitoring of improvement activity, ensuring that services deliver high-quality, child-centred practice and achieve positive outcomes for children, young people and families. Through effective performance management and quality assurance processes, you will help evaluate the impact of practice, identify areas for development and support the delivery of sustainable improvements.

Working closely with operational managers, practitioners and strategic partners, you will coordinate inspection preparation, monitor progress against improvement plans and ensure learning from audits, reviews, feedback and inspections is embedded across services. You will promote a culture of accountability, reflection and learning, supporting services to achieve and maintain high standards.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated manager with a strong understanding of children's social care, safeguarding, performance management and quality assurance. You will bring excellent analytical, communication and leadership skills, alongside the ability to interpret data, evaluate practice and drive improvement across complex services.

You will play a pivotal role in ensuring Children's Services are well prepared for inspection and continue to deliver high-quality support to children and families. Through effective leadership, you will champion a culture of continuous improvement, helping services to build on strengths, address challenges and achieve the best possible outcomes for children and young people.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a supporting statement setting out how you meet the criteria for the role to: Jessica.anderson@nottinghamcity.gov.uk 

• The closing date for applications is 23.59 on Sunday 20th September.
• Please state which role you are applying for in the subject field of your email
• If you have any questions about the role or recruitment process, please contact Jessica.anderson@nottinghamcity.gov.uk 

Please note: Do not use AI tools to generate your response, as this will be checked and considered during shortlisting.

Lead Child Protection Practitioner (LCPP) (Grade J)
Hybrid Working
Full-Time 37 hours a week
Salary: £51,356 – £54,495
Permanent

Download Job Description

As a Lead Child Protection Practitioner (LCPP), you will play a pivotal role in ensuring that children at risk of significant harm are safeguarded through robust child protection processes, effective multi-agency working and high-quality professional practice.

You will provide professional leadership, oversight and constructive challenge across child protection activity, supporting practitioners and partner agencies to make informed decisions that place the safety and wellbeing of children at the centre of all interventions.

Through skilled analysis, professional curiosity and a strong understanding of safeguarding responsibilities, you will help ensure that children and families receive timely and effective support.

Working closely with social care, health, education, police and other key partners, you will facilitate and contribute to multi-agency decision-making, ensuring that risks are appropriately identified, assessed and managed. You will promote best practice, support continuous improvement and help drive positive outcomes for children and young people. 

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a supporting statement setting out how you meet the criteria for the role to: Jessica.anderson@nottinghamcity.gov.uk 

• The closing date for applications is 23.59 on Sunday 20th September.
• Please state which role you are applying for in the subject field of your email
• If you have any questions about the role or recruitment process, please contact Jessica.anderson@nottinghamcity.gov.uk 

Please note: Do not use AI tools to generate your response, as this will be checked and considered during shortlisting.

Practice Lead (Grade I)
Hybrid Working
Full-Time 37 hours a week
Salary: £46,142 - £49,282
Permanent 

Download Job Description

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced social work professional to play a key role in driving quality, learning, and continuous improvement across Children's Services. Working collaboratively with managers, leaders, and practitioners, you will contribute to the delivery of high-quality services that achieve positive outcomes for children, young people, and families.

The Practice Lead role combines quality assurance, audit, and workforce development responsibilities. You will design and deliver training whilst also undertaking audits. You will work with teams across Children's Services to ensure learning from audits and quality assurance activities is embedded into practice and that improvement actions are effectively implemented.

You will actively promote the Council's vision, values, and priorities, supporting the delivery of high-quality, best-value services. Through your expertise, you will contribute to performance management, quality standards, service improvement initiatives, and the development of strong partnerships across Children's Services and with key stakeholders.

This role is ideal for an experienced social worker with strong analytical skills, a passion for practice excellence, and a commitment to developing others and improving outcomes for children and families.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a supporting statement setting out how you meet the criteria for the role to: Jessica.anderson@nottinghamcity.gov.uk 

• The closing date for applications is 23.59 on Sunday 20th September.
• Please state which role you are applying for in the subject field of your email
• If you have any questions about the role or recruitment process, please contact Jessica.anderson@nottinghamcity.gov.uk 

Please note: Do not use AI tools to generate your response, as this will be checked and considered during shortlisting.

Policy and Reporting Officer (Grade H)
Hybrid Working
Full-Time 37 hours a week
Salary: £40,777 – £44,075
Permanent 

Download Job Description

As a Policy and Reporting Officer, you will play a key role in supporting service improvement across Children's Services through the development of policies, performance reporting and quality assurance activity.

Working closely with managers, practitioners and partner agencies, you will support the development, review and implementation of policies, procedures and practice guidance, ensuring they reflect current legislation, statutory requirements and organisational priorities. You will help ensure staff have access to clear and effective guidance that supports consistent and high-quality practice.

You will be responsible for collating, analysing and reporting on performance and service data, producing accurate reports, dashboards and management information to support decision-making, service planning and continuous improvement. Through the effective use of data and intelligence, you will help identify trends, monitor performance and support the delivery of improvement priorities.

Working across a range of services, you will contribute to quality assurance processes, including audits, reviews and inspections, helping to evidence good practice and identify opportunities to improve outcomes for children, young people and families. 

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a supporting statement setting out how you meet the criteria for the role to: Jessica.anderson@nottinghamcity.gov.uk 

• The closing date for applications is 23.59 on Sunday 20th September.
• Please state which role you are applying for in the subject field of your email
• If you have any questions about the role or recruitment process, please contact Jessica.anderson@nottinghamcity.gov.uk 

Please note: Do not use AI tools to generate your response, as this will be checked and considered during shortlisting.

Participation and Engagement Officer (Grade F)
Hybrid Working
Full-Time 37 hours a week
Salary: £32,597 – £35,412
Permanent

Download Job Description

Are you passionate about ensuring children and young people have a genuine voice in shaping the services that affect their lives?

We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed Participation and Engagement Officer to champion the involvement of children, young people and families across Children's Services.

In this rewarding role, you will lead and support engagement activities that empower children and young people to share their experiences, influence decision-making and contribute to the design, delivery and evaluation of services. Working collaboratively with colleagues, partners, schools, communities and families, you will develop creative and inclusive approaches that ensure diverse voices are heard, particularly those of vulnerable and underrepresented groups.

You will play a key role in embedding a culture of participation across Children's Services, helping to ensure that services are responsive, child-centred and informed by the views and lived experiences of children and young people. The successful candidate will be an excellent communicator with strong engagement and relationship-building skills, experience of working with children and young people, and a passion for improving outcomes through meaningful participation.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a supporting statement setting out how you meet the criteria for the role to: Jessica.anderson@nottinghamcity.gov.uk 

• The closing date for applications is 23.59 on Sunday 20th September.
• Please state which role you are applying for in the subject field of your email
• If you have any questions about the role or recruitment process, please contact Jessica.anderson@nottinghamcity.gov.uk 

Please note: Do not use AI tools to generate your response, as this will be checked and considered during shortlisting.