Social Worker Single Point of Advice

Are you ready for a new challenge? Join East Sussex as a Social Worker in our outstanding SPOA Team and you will embark on a challenging but hugely rewarding career where you will make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable children and families.

The team is based in Eastbourne town centre with great access to local amenities and easy walking distance of the railway station.

Single Point of Advice is a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary team that is the front door for members of the public and professionals across the county screening all new referrals into Children’s Services and CAMHS - so there’s never a dull moment! You will be at the heart of the decision-making process about how a case is handled with a fantastic opportunity to work closely with mental health colleagues in a genuinely multi-disciplinary environment.

The team is comprised of qualified senior social workers, social workers, CAMHS practitioners, senior early help keyworkers and unqualified social work staff. SPOA screens and triages all referrals within 24 hours and makes decisions about where these needs sit on the Continuum of Need and which is the appropriate service for young persons and their families. As a social worker you will be part of a dynamic team, screening referrals and identifying which cases require further consideration and action by a Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and which can be best met through Early Help based support.

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.
• Ability 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.

Please view the Job Description and Person Specification for more information.

We value our social workers, so we offer a highly competitive pay and benefits package.  We offer amazing supportive environment with colleagues who really look out and care for each other, supported by experienced and practice-wise managers.

And, if you are looking for a family friendly role it’s regular hours too. SPOA works from 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 4.30pm on a Friday, with the agreement to work one day a week from home, with no out of hours working!

To apply for this role, please follow the ‘Apply Now’ button above and 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.  The main areas we want you to tell us about are:

• Your work with children and young people
• How you communicate with others
• Your application or research in theory in practice

Brief and to the point and with some examples is the way to go!

At Interview the main areas we’d like you to tell us about include:

• Your work with children and young people
• How you communicate with others
• Your application of research or theory in practice
• Your strong social work leadership skills

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 the Tuesday 29th September 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 Jemma Kavanagh, or Kate Ford, Practice Managers, SPOA on 01323 464222

*Please note that these salaries include a time limited market supplement which is subject to review in December 2027 – you can view the basic salary on our Salary Scales page

For flexible working, choose East Sussex!

"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

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.