Child protection social work is demanding in any council, and the reality of a team matters more than the job title. Somerset Council is recruiting a Family Safeguarding Social Worker in Taunton, working with children in need, children on child protection plans, and children in care and care leavers. The pay is £38,510 to £43,149 a year, the working pattern is hybrid, and the advert says sponsorship may be considered for overseas social workers who already live in the UK.
About the Council and Its Ofsted Position
Somerset Council runs children’s social care for the county and is based at Taunton. Ofsted inspected Somerset’s children’s services in spring 2026. Three of its four judgements were “requires improvement to be good”: the impact of leaders on social work practice, the experiences and progress of children who need help and protection, and the experiences and progress of children in care. Care leavers were judged good. The report says services were judged good in 2022 and that some services for very vulnerable children have since deteriorated.
Two findings matter to anyone considering the job. Leaders acknowledged that workloads, especially in assessment and safeguarding teams, stop some children getting timely help, and plans to address workforce pressure exist but aren’t yet funded. On the other hand, the report says most front-line staff like working in Somerset and feel supported by their teams, though some say their workloads are too high. Ask about caseloads at interview and how the council plans to reduce them.
Read Before You Apply
Sponsorship is limited to people already in the UK. The advert says the council “may consider” Skilled Worker sponsorship for suitably qualified overseas social workers who already live in the UK. You must hold a recognised social work qualification and be registered with Social Work England, and sponsorship will be assessed during recruitment. There is no resettlement support. This isn’t open to people applying from abroad. Social work is a national pay scale occupation for visa purposes, and we couldn’t confirm that the advertised local council pay range satisfies the visa salary rules for this post, so ask the council to confirm in writing. This is general information, not immigration advice.
Registration comes first. The advert requires registration with the professional regulator. In England that means Social Work England.
You need a car. The role needs a full driving licence and your own vehicle, because travel is required.
Apply early. The council says it may interview before the closing date, depending on the response.
What Is Family Safeguarding?
The advert doesn’t explain the term, so here is the general idea. Family Safeguarding is a way of organising child protection work, first developed in Hertfordshire, in which children’s social workers work in a team alongside specialist adult workers who deal with issues such as domestic abuse, substance misuse and mental health. The aim is to tackle the problems driving the risk to a child within one team instead of making separate referrals. Ask the council how its own model is staffed, because the Ofsted report we read doesn’t discuss it.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Carrying out child-centred assessments of need and risk
- Building trusting relationships with children and families, using strengths-based and trauma-informed practice
- Managing a caseload of children with different levels of complexity, and escalating risk where needed
- Developing, reviewing and delivering care plans and evidence-based interventions
- Completing statutory assessments, reviews and risk assessments
- Working with health, education, housing and police partners, and acting as lead professional where appropriate
- Preparing reports for courts and decision-making forums
- Keeping accurate records and contributing to quality assurance
- Taking part in duty work, supervision and professional development
Pay, Contract & Location
- Pay: £38,510 to £43,149 a year
- Contract type: Not stated in the advert (check the job pack)
- Location: Taunton TA1 4DY, with hybrid working and flexible options
- Closing date: 1 November 2026 (reference 758/DT)
- 30 days’ annual leave
- Commitment to continuing professional development
- Access to AI tools including Magic Notes, used to help with case recording
- A recognised social work qualification, or equivalent, and registration with the regulator
- Knowledge of social care practice, legislation and statutory duties
- Understanding of social care resources beyond statutory services
- Experience in social care in a multi-disciplinary setting, including partnership working with health, education and voluntary agencies
- Experience working with children, young people and families with a range of needs
- Strong IT skills, clear plain-English communication, and the ability to manage sensitive situations and know when to elevate
- Awareness of current government guidance and legislative changes
- Supervisory experience
- Evidence of continuing professional development and reflective practice
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