Social Worker, Duty and Assessment Team
| Posting date: | 11 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £44,120 to £50,435 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 22 March 2026 |
| Location: | Cavendish House, Hastings, TN34 3AA |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | East Sussex County Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 2743 |
Summary
We are looking for a Social Worker to join our Duty and Assessment service. It's an exciting time to join East Sussex Children's Social Work teams. We have several new initiatives in place such as our Connected Families in practice and UK Leading Transformation project that are unique to East Sussex County Council and we also boast one of the best Social worker retention rates in the country.
There are three teams made up of social workers and senior social workers who undertake family assessments, Section 47 enquiries, private fostering assessments, and assessment of homeless young people. They work with children and young people 0-19 years old. The work is short term and if families and children require longer term intervention they are transferred to our Family Support and Youth Support teams.
We are looking for a Social Worker who is able to engage effectively using creativity, compassion and authority to overcome resistance, build relationships, and communicate, while maintaining professional boundaries in complex and emotionally challenging situations
You will be a social worker with the following:
Experience of working directly with children and families.
Experience of completing assessments upon which effective plans are based.
knowledge of legal and policy frameworks that informs and mandates social work practice
*Please note that these salaries include a time limited market supplement which is subject to review in July 2026 – you can view the basic salary on our Salary Scales page.
To apply for this role, please follow the link to our website and click the ‘Apply Now’ button to upload your CV and a Supporting Statement. We will be using your Supporting Statement to shortlist so please be sure to address how you meet all the criteria in the person specification, drawing on any relevant work/life experience, education, or personal interests.
Please download the Job Description and Person Specification for more information.
For guidance on how to write an application see our how to apply page and our statement on the use of AI.
Interviews will take place in person on 02 April in Eastbourne.
Candidates who meet certain criteria are given priority when we shortlist. See our priority status page for details.
Our unparalleled social work education team are dedicated to supporting our social workers grow and develop within and beyond their roles.
We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page.
For an informal discussion about this opportunity contact either Katy Gregory via Katy.gregory@Eastsussex.gov.uk or Lucy Bryant via Lucy.bryant@Eastsussex.gov.uk
'East Sussex is a very good employer. You’re able to work flexibly around childcare and caring responsibilities and that’s really helpful'. Charlotte, Social Worker
‘Social workers love working in East Sussex because they feel valued and supported.’
Ofsted Report 2024
For flexible working, choose East Sussex.
About Us
Additional Information
This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau). For further information about what is required in this process please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record. Please note that we require evidence of an overseas police check if you have lived or worked abroad.
Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is part-time or term-time only.
If you require sponsorship to work in the UK please let the hiring manager know this in your application so we can check eligibility for sponsorship for the role. For further information please go to https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas
If you require any reasonable adjustments, due to disability, to enable you to participate fully in the process please contact the hiring manager on the contact details above.
There are three teams made up of social workers and senior social workers who undertake family assessments, Section 47 enquiries, private fostering assessments, and assessment of homeless young people. They work with children and young people 0-19 years old. The work is short term and if families and children require longer term intervention they are transferred to our Family Support and Youth Support teams.
We are looking for a Social Worker who is able to engage effectively using creativity, compassion and authority to overcome resistance, build relationships, and communicate, while maintaining professional boundaries in complex and emotionally challenging situations
You will be a social worker with the following:
Experience of working directly with children and families.
Experience of completing assessments upon which effective plans are based.
knowledge of legal and policy frameworks that informs and mandates social work practice
*Please note that these salaries include a time limited market supplement which is subject to review in July 2026 – you can view the basic salary on our Salary Scales page.
To apply for this role, please follow the link to our website and click the ‘Apply Now’ button to upload your CV and a Supporting Statement. We will be using your Supporting Statement to shortlist so please be sure to address how you meet all the criteria in the person specification, drawing on any relevant work/life experience, education, or personal interests.
Please download the Job Description and Person Specification for more information.
For guidance on how to write an application see our how to apply page and our statement on the use of AI.
Interviews will take place in person on 02 April in Eastbourne.
Candidates who meet certain criteria are given priority when we shortlist. See our priority status page for details.
Our unparalleled social work education team are dedicated to supporting our social workers grow and develop within and beyond their roles.
We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page.
For an informal discussion about this opportunity contact either Katy Gregory via Katy.gregory@Eastsussex.gov.uk or Lucy Bryant via Lucy.bryant@Eastsussex.gov.uk
'East Sussex is a very good employer. You’re able to work flexibly around childcare and caring responsibilities and that’s really helpful'. Charlotte, Social Worker
‘Social workers love working in East Sussex because they feel valued and supported.’
Ofsted Report 2024
For flexible working, choose East Sussex.
About Us
Additional Information
This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau). For further information about what is required in this process please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record. Please note that we require evidence of an overseas police check if you have lived or worked abroad.
Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is part-time or term-time only.
If you require sponsorship to work in the UK please let the hiring manager know this in your application so we can check eligibility for sponsorship for the role. For further information please go to https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas
If you require any reasonable adjustments, due to disability, to enable you to participate fully in the process please contact the hiring manager on the contact details above.
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.