Social Worker – CIC

Social Worker – Children in Care (CIC)

Job Breakdown

• Employer: Leaders in Care (Recruiting for a forward-thinking Local Authority)

• Location: Newcastle upon Tyne (Note: Listing mentions Suffolk-based service; local remote/hybrid options or relocation packages typically apply).

• Salary: Up to £47,054 per annum.

• Job Type: Full-time (Part-time opportunities also available).

• Estimated Average Salary (2026): For experienced Social Workers in Children in Care (CIC) services, the regional average ranges from £42,000 – £48,000, making this a highly competitive offer.

Key Responsibilities

• Caseload Management: Oversee a dedicated caseload of “looked-after” children, ensuring all care plans are robust, child-focused, and updated regularly.

• Permanency Planning: Work toward positive long-term outcomes, whether through reunification, long-term foster care, or adoption.

• Multi-Agency Collaboration: Partner closely with foster carers, biological families, health professionals, and schools to provide a holistic support network.

• Stability & Support: Ensure children in care thrive in safe, nurturing environments by conducting regular visits and assessments.

• Documentation: Maintain accurate, high-quality records of interventions and assessments in compliance with statutory requirements and Social Work England standards.

Requirements

• Professional Registration: Must be a Qualified Social Worker with active Social Work England registration.

• Experience: Previous experience within a Children in Care (LAC) team is desirable.

• Transferable Skills: Open to practitioners from other children’s services (e.g., Safeguarding or Assessment) with strong relationship-building and assessment skills.

• Mission-Driven: A genuine passion for improving life outcomes for vulnerable young people.

• Logistics: Ability to work a hybrid schedule (typically 3 days in the office/field).

Salary and Benefits

• Financial Incentives: Base salary up to £47,054 plus a retention payment of up to £4,000.

• Work-Life Balance: Hybrid working model and flexible part-time options.

• Team Stability: Join a service in the final stages of moving to a 100% permanent workforce, reducing reliance on agency staff.

• Professional Growth: Access to premier regional learning and development programs and a supportive leadership culture.

• Environment: Opportunity to work in a well-structured service within a scenic coastal location (Suffolk).

Job Description

The Role Leaders in Care is proud to represent a forward-thinking Local Authority currently seeking an experienced and dedicated Social Worker to join their Children in Care (CIC) team. This is a unique opportunity to step into a service that has moved away from the “churn” of temporary staffing. By joining this team, you are joining a stable, permanent workforce committed to providing the consistency that children in care desperately need.

Your Impact In this role, you aren’t just managing files; you are the primary advocate for children who are currently looked after by the state. You will be responsible for ensuring that every child on your caseload has a clear, actionable plan for their future. You will act as the vital link between foster carers, schools, and medical professionals, ensuring that the “corporate parent” is doing everything possible to help the child thrive.

You will thrive here if you value a “child-first” approach. Your daily work will involve deep relationship-building, not just with the children, but with the support networks around them. Whether you are navigating complex family dynamics or presenting a case for permanency, your expertise will directly contribute to the stability and safety of the region’s most vulnerable young people.

Why Join This Service? The authority has invested heavily in its leadership and culture. Unlike many overstretched departments, this service prioritizes worker well-being through manageable caseloads and a clear long-term vision. With a hybrid working model (3 days in the office), you have the autonomy to manage your schedule while still benefiting from a collaborative, “in-person” team environment.

This is a rare opening in a service that is nearing its goal of a fully permanent staff. If you are tired of the instability of agency-heavy teams and want a role where you can truly see the long-term results of your work, this is the position for you.

Leaders in Care is a premier healthcare recruitment consultancy that plays a pivotal role in the Newcastle upon Tyne medical and social care landscape. Specializing in the placement of high-level nursing and management professionals, the agency is recognized for its “one-to-one” bespoke service, bridging the gap between elite talent and the North East’s leading care providers.

Organization & Culture

Leaders in Care operates with a philosophy that recruitment should be “easy, transparent, and effective.” The culture is defined by its award-winning status—including a consistent 5.0/5 star rating from candidates—and a commitment to building long-term relationships over short-term placements.

The internal environment is high-energy and supportive. In 2026, the firm is noted for its “Digital-First” approach, utilizing market-leading timesheet and payroll systems to remove administrative friction for its workers. Staff at their regional hubs describe a vibrant atmosphere with a focus on autonomy, “Fun Fridays,” and a management team that values professional growth and work-life balance.

Key Organisation Highlights (2026)

Core Operations & Specialist Roles

Leaders in Care focuses on “quality over quantity,” placing specialized professionals into critical roles within Newcastle’s healthcare infrastructure:

• Home & Unit Management: Sourcing Registered Managers and Deputy Managers for luxury nursing homes and specialized care facilities in areas like Gosforth and Jesmond.

• Qualified Social Work: Placing experienced practitioners into high-stakes Child Protection, Adult Safeguarding, and Court Work teams within local authorities.

   

• Specialist Nursing: Recruiting Registered Nurses (RGN/RMN/RNLD) for both permanent and “block-booking” interim roles in private hospitals and complex care settings.

   

• Interim & Turnaround Management: Providing highly experienced leaders to help regional care services improve their CQC ratings or manage periods of organizational change.

   

Working through Leaders in Care (Newcastle)

For healthcare professionals in the North East, the agency provides a premium alternative to standard “bank” work:

• Pay & Salaries (2026): Qualified Social Workers in the region often earn approx. £38–£42 per hour, while Home Manager positions can command salaries ranging from £65,000 to £95,000 per annum.

• Personalized Support: Each candidate is assigned a dedicated consultant (like Nathan or Georgia) who provides interview preparation, real-time insight into the performance of local providers, and frequent check-ins during placements.

   

• Candidate Experience: Reviews highlight the “speed of organization” and the agency’s ability to find “perfect matches” based on a deep understanding of a candidate’s career goals.

• Technology: The 2026 “Leaders App” allows candidates to manage their entire work-life, from accepting shifts to viewing real-time payroll status, ensuring they are “paid on time, every time.”

2026 Strategic Vision: “The Execution Priority”

As of March 2026, Leaders in Care is aligning its strategy with the broader shifts in the UK healthcare sector:

• Capacity Creation: Focusing on placing “transformational leaders” who can help care organizations reduce internal friction and better integrate AI tools into their workflows.

• Clinical Excellence: Partnering with regional providers to ensure that all placements focus on “completed outcomes” and measurable improvements in patient safety and dignity.

• Loyalty & Retention: Expanding their exclusive loyalty bonus schemes to combat the national shortage of social workers and specialized nurses in the North East.