BE EXCEPTIONAL WITH US.
Explore our current vacancies and discover a rewarding career where your expertise is valued, supported and celebrated
Our Vacancies
Shaping our future together
To apply to join us and make a real difference to the lives of children, young people and families across Dudley borough at this exciting time, simply complete an online application form through our jobs portal.
The current roles available are listed below, along with their closing dates. Click on ‘Apply now’ to complete an online application form for the position.
Vacancies - at a glance
Casual Residential Childcare Worker
Social Worker - Dudley Exploitation Team
Social Worker - Assessment Service
Team Manager - Peripatetic Team
Advanced Social Work Practitioner - Adolescent Safeguarding Team
Advanced Social Work Practitioner - Family Safeguarding Team
Social Worker - Peripatetic Team
Team Manager - Children in Care Team
Team Manager - Assessment Service
Personal Advisor
Commissioning Officer
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£47,181 to £50,269 (salary subject to experience)
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Working in the office 3+ days a week (pro-rata) or Onsite full time
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Cable Plaza, Waterfront West, Brierley Hill, Dudley
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Closing date: Monday 20 July 2026
Dudley Council has the highest ambitions for our children and young people.
Our vision is to give children the best start in life and to support families to be independent, responsible and successful and to ensure we provide the highest levels of public protection for our most vulnerable children. Revitalised council leadership arrangements are now in place, and we have accelerated our efforts to support and strengthen the services we deliver to children and families.
We have made significant strides to understand ourselves better and we now know exactly where we want to be and what work needs to be done to deliver on our ambitions.
With an initial £1 million investment from Cabinet, we have initiated a transformation programme to improve every aspect of our vision, partnership and corporate commitment to the services we deliver to children.
Effective evidence and outcomes - based commissioning has a crucial role within this transformation programme.
Longer-term improvements to children’s outcomes can only be achieved through securing effective services that are designed and delivered through an integrated approach that responds clearly to the needs of children and young people.
Dudley Council is therefore seeking to expand its Children’s Commissioning resource to ensure that innovation and transformation can be delivered at pace whilst ensuring continued delivery of safe, high quality and efficient services.
Casual Residential Childcare Worker
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£28,598 - £31,022 per annum subject to pro rata
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Casual
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18 Tipton Road, Sedgley
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Closing date: Saturday 4 May 2030
We are looking to appoint Casual Residential Childcare Workers who will, under the supervision of a senior member of staff, contribute to to all aspects of the physical, emotional and personal care of the the children / young people residing at Dudley's three residential children's homes so as to promote their welfare whilst working in partnership with their family and other professionals.
Initially hours of work will be offered to the successful applicants as required to meet the needs of 18 Tipton Road Children's Home (which provides a safe, nurturing, caring and stimulating environment for young people with complex needs including physical, sensory and moderate to severe learning disabilities or complex social, emotional and behavioural difficulties) but hours at the Authority's other two homes will be available in the future.
Level 4 Diploma for Children's & Young People's Workforce or equivalent together with experience of working with young people is desirable.
For more information on the role contact mark.bates@dudley.gov.uk
Social Worker - Dudley Exploitation Team
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£39,152 to £46,142 per annum plus £7,000 per annum Market Forces Supplement
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Permanent (full time)
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Cable Plaza, Waterfront West, Brierley Hill, Dudley
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Closing date: Friday 17 July 2026
Grade 9 and Grade 10 posts available.
Dudley Exploitation Hub is a multi-disciplinary team that specialise in supporting children who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing harm outside the home. This includes sexual and criminal exploitation, modern slavery, youth criminality, and anti-social behaviour. The service provides a central triage point for referrals from across Dudley Borough and works with partners, our vulnerable young people and their families to disrupt and reduce risk through child centred safety planning and intensive intervention.
Our exploitation hub practitioners work intensively with young people assessed to be at High and Medium risk of exploitation and also support Lead Practitioners from across the partnership, including our Family Help and Youth Justice services, our health, education and police colleagues and our commissioned specialist exploitation services, to ensure that early vulnerabilities are recognised and early intervention and support is co-ordinated.
Working alongside families using our Restorative Model of practice, we use family led-decision making strategies and Motivational Interviewing skills to help families access creative and targeted support packages that will help to develop meaningful and lasting change for families. You will work with a small number of young people, no more than 10 at any one time to lead interventions and support specific to the risks outside the home. This may mean that you also co-work with practitioners in our Family Help or Youth Justice service so that packages are support are well co-ordinated, creative and reflect individual child and family needs.
We are seeking to recruit practitioners who can evidence sound knowledge around exploitation, missing and contextual safeguarding and have the ability to build and develop effective relationships with young people and families facing these complex challenges. You will work with a small number of young people, no more than 10 at any one time to lead interventions and support specific to the risks outside the home and co-work with practitioners in our Family Help or Youth Justice service. You will also contribute to learning with colleagues by mentoring, coaching, and participating in reflective discussions.
If you require more information or have any questions about this exciting opportunity please email Karen Johnson (Principal Service Lead) @ karen.g.Johnson@dudley.gov.uk
Social Worker - Assessment Service
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£39,152 - £46,142 per annum plus £7,000 per annum Market Forces Supplement
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Permanent (full time)
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Cable Plaza, Waterfront West, Brierley Hill, Dudley
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Closing date: Friday 17 July 2026
Grade 9 and Grade 10 posts available.
Our developing Family Help service aims to provide targeted support and help to families so that children and families can thrive and more families are able to stay together. We recognise that providing the right type of support at the right time for families is key to working effectively and that lasting relationships with professionals is central to working alongside families and their networks. Working alongside families using our Restorative Model of practice, we use family led-decision making strategies and Motivational Interviewing skills to help families access creative and targeted support packages that will help to develop meaningful and lasting change for families. This includes increased capacity to manage complex parenting challenges and reducing risks within family networks and across our community.
Our Family Help service is delivered through the ‘Family Safeguarding model’ which delivers a whole family approach to support. Social workers and Family Help practitioners will co-ordinate the support offered to families drawing on the knowledge and skillset of experienced Child Practitioners; Drug and Alcohol practitioners’ Probation Officers; Domestic Abuse Workers, and Mental Health Practitioners. The Family Safeguarding programme is used to inform our direct work with families and our model of supervision is reflective group supervision involving those practitioners involved in supporting a family.
Our ambition is for more families to receive the support that they need from within their local community through our model of early support. However, we recognise that some worries about children and families arise quickly and can be significant for children, particularly child protection concerns. Our Family Help service therefore incudes an assessment service which uses our single assessment process and statutory child protection procedures, to work alongside families in assessing their needs and identifying the right plan of support for them. Referrals come directly to the team from our integrated children’s front door and link in closely with our Family Help and locality partners. We are currently developing our (Multi-Agency Child Protection Team (MACPT) and in time, the Assessment Team will work closed with MACPT to assess and plan for our children requiring child protection intervention.
If you require more information or have any questions about this exciting opportunity please email Karen Johnson (Principal Service Lead) @ karen.g.Johnson@dudley.gov.uk
Social Worker - Family Help
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£39,152 to £46,142 per annum plus £7,000 per annum Market Forces Supplement
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Permanent (full time)
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Cable Plaza, Waterfront West, Brierley Hill, Dudley
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Closing date: Friday 17 July 2026
Grade 9 and Grade 10 posts available.
Our developing Family Help service aims to provide targeted support and help to families so that children and families can thrive and more families are able to stay together. We recognise that providing the right type of support at the right time for families is key to working effectively and that lasting relationships with professionals is central to working alongside families and their networks. Working alongside families using our Restorative Model of practice, we use family led-decision making strategies and Motivational Interviewing skills to help families access creative and targeted support packages that will help to develop meaningful and lasting change for families. This includes increased capacity to manage complex parenting challenges and reducing risks within family networks and across our community.
Our Family Help service is delivered through the ‘Family Safeguarding model’ which delivers a whole family approach to support. Social workers and Family Help practitioners will co-ordinate the support offered to families drawing on the knowledge and skillset of experienced Child Practitioners; Drug and Alcohol practitioners’ Probation Officers; Domestic Abuse Workers, and Mental Health Practitioners. The Family Safeguarding programme is used to inform our direct work with families and our model of supervision is reflective group supervision involving those practitioners involved in supporting a family.
We are based centrally at Cable Plaza, Dudley Waterfront but our Family Help service is a locality-based model. Teams working closely alongside Dudley’s 5 Family Hubs who provide early support to families through their links with our local partners. As the Family help service continues to develop, improved relationships between Family Help practitioners and our local partners will enable more families to be supported earlier when problems and difficulties are easier to address.
We believe our children and families deserve the consistency and stability in the support provided. Our service works with families who require a single assessment, a co-ordinated plan including child protection plans and we undertake pre-proceedings and care proceedings work. We recognise that strong permanency planning for our children is key to supporting family relationships and networks, even when it is not safe for children to remain within the care of a parent. Our kinship offer is developing and we working closely with our kinship team to secure creative and supportive plans for family networks.
Our service is a friendly and passionate service, always seeking to improve the best outcomes for our children and families. We offer a great opportunity to expand your skillset, knowledge, and confidence within front line help and safeguarding practice, supported by regular supervision and a committed and supportive management team.
If you are passionate about working with children, are motivated to make a difference, and have a desire to help and support others, we want to hear from you!
If you require more information or have any questions about this exciting opportunity please email Karen Johnson (Principal Service Lead) @ karen.g.Johnson@dudley.gov.uk
Team Manager - Peripatetic Team
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£55,461 to £59,414 - (salary subject to experience)
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Permanent (full time)
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Cable Plaza, Waterfront West, Brierley Hill, Dudley
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Closing date: Monday 20 July 2026
We’re looking for a confident, adaptable and inspiring Team Manager to lead our peripatetic social work team - a vital, flexible service that steps in wherever the need is greatest across Dudley.
This is not your typical management role. In this post, you and your team go where you’re needed most, supporting service areas under pressure and working with children and families at every stage of their journey. Your leadership will directly impact some of the most complex and high-risk areas of practice. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy variety, and are passionate about making a difference where it matters most - this could be the role for you.
As Team Manager, you will:
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Lead and support a mobile team of skilled social workers deployed across the service.
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Respond to areas of highest need, ensuring children and families receive timely, effective support.
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Provide oversight and direction on complex and high-risk cases.
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Support your team to perform at their best under pressure, maintaining high standards of practice.
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Work across the full child’s journey—from first contact and assessment through to long-term planning and permanence
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Collaborate with senior leaders to identify pressures, allocate support, and drive improvement.
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Champion high-quality, child-centred practice and strong professional decision-making
About you - You’re someone who:
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Is a qualified, experienced social worker with a strong track record in children’s services.
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Understands the full journey of a child through the system, and can confidently lead across all stages.
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Is adaptable and solution-focused, comfortable stepping into new teams and challenges at short notice.
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Stays calm, decisive and resilient in high-pressure situations.
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Has the leadership skills to motivate, guide and develop staff in a changing environment.
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Is committed to achieving the best outcomes for children and families, no matter the circumstances.
For further information regarding this role please contact one of the service managers in Family Help: Jodie Baker, Jodie.baker@dudley.gov.uk or Longina Furidze, longina.furidze@dudley.gov.uk
Advanced Social Work Practitioner - Adolescent Safeguarding Team
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£51,356 to £54,495 per annum
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37 hours per week
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Cable Plaza, Waterfront West, Brierley Hill, Dudley
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Closing date: Friday 17 July 2026
This is an exciting and rewarding time to join Child Friendly Dudley in new Advanced Social Work Practitioner roles which have been introduced across our social work teams.
We are strengthening our commitment to young people by embedding a trauma-informed, relationship-based approach within our Adolescent Safeguarding Team. Building on our established restorative practice model, we are redesigning our services and implementing the Family Safeguarding model to ensure adolescents remain at the centre of everything we do. This means working collaboratively with families and partners to reduce risk, promote resilience, and create safer futures for young people. As part of the Families First redesign, our adolescent safeguarding service is merging with Family Safeguarding to create one integrated Family Help service — and we’re looking for passionate social workers who want to make a difference for young people and address the issues facing teenagers.
Advanced Practitioners will be pivotal in establishing consistently excellent social work practice in our teams. You will hold a caseload of some of our children needing the most skilled help, and share your expertise with others through modelling, coaching, reflective supervision and other learning activities.
You will be a registered social worker with significant experience of working with children and families in a statutory social work setting including being able to evidence how you have intervened in areas of poor practice, demonstrated leading practice and developing the professional practice of team members. You will also have experience of formally supporting others in a social work or social care role, which may include practice education of students or ASYE social workers. You will be dynamic and driven to achieve strong outcomes for our children, skilled in providing support and challenge to colleagues and families and creating change.
We aim to create an inclusive working environment where everyone can achieve a healthy work/life balance. We are serious about our responsibility for personal and professional development and look to ensure that staff are equipped with the skills, knowledge and experience to succeed. The Councils Benefit Package is designed to boost and maintain the health, wellbeing and general quality of life of all our staff.
For an informal discussion please contact Longina Furidze, Service Manager Adolescent Safeguarding @ longina.furidze@dudley.gov.uk
Advanced Social Work Practitioner - Family Safeguarding Team
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£51,356 to £54,495 per annum
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37 hours per week
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Cable Plaza, Waterfront West, Brierley Hill, Dudley
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Closing date: Friday 17 July 2026
This is an exciting and rewarding time to join Child Friendly Dudley in new Advanced Social Work Practitioner roles which have been introduced across our social work teams.
We are building on our established restorative practice model by re-designing our directorate and implementing the Family Safeguarding model to ensure we focus on children first and place them at the heart of all we do.
Advanced Practitioners will be pivotal in establishing consistently excellent social work practice in our teams. You will hold a caseload of some of our children needing the most skilled help, and share your expertise with others through modelling, coaching, reflective supervision and other learning activities.
You will be a registered social worker with significant experience of working with children and families in a statutory social work setting including being able to evidence how you have intervened in areas of poor practice, demonstrated leading practice and developing the professional practice of team members. You will also have experience of formally supporting others in a social work or social care role, which may include practice education of students or ASYE social workers. You will be dynamic and driven to achieve strong outcomes for our children, skilled in providing support and challenge to colleagues and families and creating change.
We aim to create an inclusive working environment where everyone can achieve a healthy work/life balance. We are serious about our responsibility for personal and professional development and look to ensure that staff are equipped with the skills, knowledge and experience to succeed. The Councils Benefit Package is designed to boost and maintain the health, wellbeing and general quality of life of all our staff.
For an informal discussion please contact Karen Johnson, Head of Service - Family Safeguarding @ karen.g.johnson@dudley.gov.uk
Social Worker - Peripatetic Team
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£39,152 to £46,142 plus £7000 per annum Market Forces Supplement
(Grade and salary subject to experience) -
Permanent (full time)
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Cable Plaza, Waterfront West, Brierley Hill, Dudley
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Closing date: Monday 20 July 2026
At Dudley Children’s Services, we are building a flexible, dynamic peripatetic team that goes where the need is greatest—supporting children, young people, and families at critical points in their journey.
As a Peripatetic Social Worker, you won’t be tied to one team or service area. Instead, you’ll be deployed across the service, stepping into areas under pressure and working with some of the most complex and high-risk situations. This is a role for social workers who thrive on variety, challenge, and purpose.
If you are adaptable, resilient, and committed to delivering high-quality practice when and where it matters most, we want to hear from you.
What you’ll be doing:
In this unique role, you will:
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Work as part of a mobile team of social workers, led by an experienced Team Manager.
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Be deployed to areas of highest demand, providing targeted support where it’s needed most.
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Work across the full child’s journey—from initial contact and assessment through to long-term planning and permanence.
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Manage complex and high-risk cases, ensuring timely and effective interventions.
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Quickly build relationships with children, families, and professionals in new teams and environments.
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Demonstrate flexibility and professionalism while maintaining consistent, high-quality practice.
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Contribute to stabilising services, reducing pressure, and improving outcomes for children.
About you - You’re someone who:
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Is a qualified social worker, registered with Social Work England.
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Has experience within children’s social care, with confidence working across different service areas.
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Understands the child’s journey from start to finish, and can adapt your practice accordingly.
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Is highly adaptable, able to step into new situations and make an immediate impact.
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Is resilient and confident working in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.
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Has strong assessment, analytical and decision-making skills
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Is committed to child-centred practice and achieving the best possible outcomes
For further information regarding this role please contact one of the service managers in Family Help: Jodie Baker, Jodie.baker@dudley.gov.uk or Longina Furidze, longina.furidze@dudley.gov.uk
Team Manager - Children in Care Team
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£55,461 to £59,414 - (salary subject to experience)
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Permanent (full time)
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Cable Plaza, Waterfront West, Brierley Hill, Dudley
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Closing date: Monday 20 July 2026
Dudley Children's Services are looking for an exceptional Team Manager to join our dedicated Children in Care service. This is your chance to lead a highly skilled social work team making a real impact for our most vulnerable young people.
Why you'll love working with us:
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In our last Ofsted focus visit our service was praised! They highlighted the empathy, care and thoughtful approach our social workers bring to every child.
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High support, high challenge: Be part of a restorative practice authority where we empower staff, children and their families.
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Experienced leadership team: Get ongoing support from a team of passionate professionals, from the Head of Service to Advanced Practitioners, we are all a permanent work force who are invested in getting it right for children.
What you'll bring:
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Proven experience in Children in Care, with a sound understanding of practice, processes and procedures.
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A track record of supervising social workers, either as a team manager or practice educator.
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Expertise in court work (DOL’s, Special Guardianship, Discharge of Care Orders, Adoption).
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Understanding of restorative practice principles.
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A willingness to champion all elements of children’s rights.
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Collaborate with senior leaders to identify pressures, allocate support, and drive improvement
Ready to join a team that makes a difference?
We offer a competitive salary, a wonderful training programme and a chance to be part of something truly special.
Apply today and help us build a brighter future for Dudley's children!
Make a difference.
For more information on the role, please contact steven.orchard@dudley.gov.uk
Team Manager - Assessment Service
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£55,461 to £59,414 - (salary subject to experience)
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Permanent (full time)
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Cable Plaza, Waterfront West, Brierley Hill, Dudley
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Closing date: Monday 20 July 2026
We’re looking for a confident, driven and inspiring Team Manager to lead one of our Assessment Teams—a critical service that sits at the front of Dudley Children’s Services, making timely decisions that shape the journey of children and families from the outset. This is a fast-paced and influential leadership role where your decisions and oversight will directly impact how we safeguard children and support families at the earliest point of intervention. You will lead a team managing high levels of demand, ensuring assessments are robust, timely and focused on achieving the right outcomes.
If you thrive in a dynamic environment, enjoy leading under pressure, and are passionate about high-quality practice—this could be the role for you.
As Team Manager, you will:
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Lead and support a team of social workers delivering high-quality assessments.
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Oversee timely decision-making at the front door, ensuring children receive the right response at the right time.
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Provide clear direction on complex and high-risk cases, ensuring effective risk management.
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Drive strong performance and quality of practice across a busy and demanding service.
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Support your team to work effectively under pressure, maintaining high professional standards.
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Ensure assessments are analytical, child-centred, and outcome-focused.
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Work closely with partners to ensure a coordinated multi-agency response.
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Collaborate with senior leaders to manage demand, improve services, and embed best practice.
About you - You’re someone who:
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Is a qualified, experienced social worker with a strong track record in children’s services.
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Has a sound understanding of front-line services, thresholds, and assessment processes.
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Brings strong skills in risk assessment, decision-making, and service leadership.
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Is confident leading in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
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Can motivate, support and develop staff to achieve high standards.
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Is organised, resilient and able to manage competing priorities effectively.
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Is committed to delivering timely, high-quality interventions that improve outcomes for children.
For further information regarding this role please contact the Interim Service Managers for the Assessment Service: Elsie Fordam
Elsie.Fordam@dudley.gov.uk
Personal Advisor
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£31,537 to £34,434 - (salary subject to experience)
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Working in the office 3+ days a week (pro-rata) or Onsite full time
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Cable Plaza, Waterfront West, Brierley Hill, Dudley
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Closing date: Monday 20 July 2026
This is an exciting time to join the Dudley Care Experienced Team as we continue to grow and strengthen our service.
We are looking to recruit dynamic and compassionate individuals who are passionate about making a positive and lasting difference in the lives of our care experienced young people.
As a Personal Advisor, you will:
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Work directly with young people to build trusting, supportive relationships.
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Help them navigate challenges linked to their early life experiences.
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Support them to achieve their goals, aspirations and independence.
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Work collaboratively with partners and colleagues to deliver the best outcomes.
You will need:
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Experience of managing a caseload and working with vulnerable young people.
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A positive, proactive “can-do” approach.
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The ability to motivate, guide and empower young people to overcome barriers.
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A strong commitment to relationship-based, restorative practice.
Above all, you will be young person-centred in everything you do, with a genuine passion for helping young people thrive and succeed in their communities.
If you’re committed to making a real difference and want to be part of a supportive and forward-thinking team, we would love to hear from you.
Please note: A full driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential for this role.
If you require any further information about this exciting role please email Samantha Thornton or Sharon Plaskitt via samantha.thornton@dudley.gov.uk / sharon.plaskitt@dudley.gov.uk
Placements Officer
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£31,537 to £34,434 - (salary subject to experience)
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Working in the office 3+ days a week (pro-rata) or Onsite full time
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Cable Plaza, Waterfront West, Brierley Hill, Dudley
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Closing date: Monday 20 July 2026
This is an exciting and rewarding time to join Dudley Children and Young People Services as we strengthen our approach to delivering high‑quality, safe and sustainable placements for children and young people.
Social Care Placements Officers play a pivotal role in securing, coordinating and monitoring placements for our children in care. You will work closely with social workers, providers and partner agencies to ensure that placements are safe, suitable, cost‑effective and responsive to the assessed needs of children and young people.
You will have experience of working in a social care, commissioning, placement‑finding or related setting, with the ability to evidence strong negotiation skills, effective decision‑making and experience of working in fast‑paced environments.
You will be confident in challenging poor practice, supporting colleagues and providers, and helping to ensure that Dudley’s children receive the highest standard of care.
You will be dynamic, solution‑focused and committed to achieving positive outcomes for our children. You will demonstrate excellent communication and organisational skills, with an ability to build strong relationships while ensuring compliance with statutory duties, policies and procedures.
If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact:
Emma Dixon, Strategic Commissioning Manager (Children’s Social Care) via Emma.dixon@dudley.gov.uk