Experienced Social Worker Visa Sponsorship UK

Job Description

Experienced Social Worker – Children in Our Care Team
Bedford Borough Council

• Reference: 005041
  Salary: £41,771 – £45,091 per annum (full-time equivalent)
  Plus Market Rate Supplement of £6,000 per annum (subject to review)
  Plus welcome and retention payments
• Contract: Permanent, Full-time (37 hours per week)
• Location: Borough Hall, Bedford, Bedfordshire
• Service: Children’s Services – Corporate Parenting
• Closing date: 23 March 2026
• Interview dates: 2 & 3 April 2026

Are you a dedicated and skilled social worker with experience in children’s social care? Join our Children in Our Care team at Bedford Borough Council, where you’ll play a key role in supporting looked after children aged 0–18, including unaccompanied asylum-seeking and separated migrant children.

In this rewarding position, you’ll focus on creating stable, long-term care plans that deliver permanency while driving positive improvements in education, health, and overall wellbeing for the children and young people we support. A core part of the role involves meeting all statutory duties, safeguarding their welfare, building strong multi-agency partnerships, and acting as a powerful advocate on their behalf.

We are committed to our Parenting Together approach, and we are looking for someone who shares our passion for working collaboratively with carers, families, and professionals to achieve the best possible life chances for every child in our care.

Key benefits include:

• Competitive salary with additional market supplement and welcome/retention payments
• Designated car user allowance
• Full-time weekday working pattern
• Opportunities to make a real difference in a supportive team environment

Essential requirements:

• Relevant social work qualification and registration with Social Work England
• Proven experience working with looked after children
• Strong knowledge of relevant legislation and statutory responsibilities
• Excellent communication, partnership-working, and advocacy skills

This is an enhanced DBS check position (exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974). Successful applicants will need to declare any spent or unspent convictions or cautions (excluding protected ones).

How to apply
Ready to take the next step? Click Apply for Vacancy on our careers portal. You’ll need to upload your CV and complete some straightforward application questions (mostly yes/no). Make sure your CV clearly demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the full job profile.
An optional CV template is available to help structure your application.

For any questions, please email the recruitment team at recruitment.team@bedford.gov.uk.

Our commitments

Bedford Borough Council proudly supports the Armed Forces Covenant, guaranteeing an interview for eligible applicants from the Armed Forces community who meet the minimum job criteria.

We are also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer and offer a guaranteed interview to disabled applicants whose applications meet the essential requirements – find out more about our working culture and commitments.

We participate in the Care Leavers Covenant, providing similar interview guarantees where applicable.

Visa sponsorship

The Council holds a sponsor licence and may consider visa sponsorship for suitable candidates already based in the UK.

This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to high-quality services for children and families across Bedford Borough. We look forward to hearing from you!