Social Worker - Children and Young People Disability Team
| Posting date: | 13 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £39,152 to £44,075 per year |
| Additional salary information: | £8,000 Market Supplement |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 01 February 2026 |
| Location: | Reading, Berkshire |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | Reading Borough Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | DOC0029 |
Summary
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About the role
As a Social Worker within the disabled children’s service you will be responsible for the planning and intervention of support for our most vulnerable children, who will be subject to Child in Need, Child Protection, and Looked After Children planning
You will carry out assessments, develop care plans, and deliver interventions to safeguard and promote the welfare of SEN and Disabled children and young people .
Key Responsibilities
You will play a vital role in supporting children and families through challenging circumstances. Your work will involve both direct engagement and multi-agency collaboration to ensure the best outcomes.
Undertake assessments and arrange support where appropriate.
Work closely with children, families, carers, and professionals such as OT’s and other health and education colleagues to support informed decision-making and positive change.
Maintain accurate case notes and prepare reports; provide evidence in court when required.
Liaise with internal teams and external agencies to plan and deliver interventions.
Lead multi-agency meetings and monitor objectives.
In addition, you’ll stay up to date with legislation and best practice in children’s social work, ensuring that your approach reflects current standards and guidance.
About You
We’re looking for someone who combines professional expertise with a compassionate approach. You should be confident in managing complex situations and committed to making a real difference.
Essential qualities:
approachable, resilient, and able to work both independently and as part of a team.
Strong communication and analytical skills are key, along with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
You’ll demonstrate a commitment to equality, diversity, and safeguarding in all aspects of your work.
If you thrive in a dynamic environment and want to help shape brighter futures for children, we’d love to hear from you.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed
Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
A wide range of flexible working opportunities
Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
Closing Date: Sunday 1st February 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interview Process: To be confirmed
About the role
As a Social Worker within the disabled children’s service you will be responsible for the planning and intervention of support for our most vulnerable children, who will be subject to Child in Need, Child Protection, and Looked After Children planning
You will carry out assessments, develop care plans, and deliver interventions to safeguard and promote the welfare of SEN and Disabled children and young people .
Key Responsibilities
You will play a vital role in supporting children and families through challenging circumstances. Your work will involve both direct engagement and multi-agency collaboration to ensure the best outcomes.
Undertake assessments and arrange support where appropriate.
Work closely with children, families, carers, and professionals such as OT’s and other health and education colleagues to support informed decision-making and positive change.
Maintain accurate case notes and prepare reports; provide evidence in court when required.
Liaise with internal teams and external agencies to plan and deliver interventions.
Lead multi-agency meetings and monitor objectives.
In addition, you’ll stay up to date with legislation and best practice in children’s social work, ensuring that your approach reflects current standards and guidance.
About You
We’re looking for someone who combines professional expertise with a compassionate approach. You should be confident in managing complex situations and committed to making a real difference.
Essential qualities:
approachable, resilient, and able to work both independently and as part of a team.
Strong communication and analytical skills are key, along with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
You’ll demonstrate a commitment to equality, diversity, and safeguarding in all aspects of your work.
If you thrive in a dynamic environment and want to help shape brighter futures for children, we’d love to hear from you.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed
Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
A wide range of flexible working opportunities
Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
Closing Date: Sunday 1st February 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interview Process: To be confirmed
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.