We have an excellent opportunity for an experienced Children’s Social Worker to join our MASH team here at Wokingham Borough Council, on a full-time, permanent basis.

As a MASH Social Worker, you’ll work in a fast-paced, multi-agency environment, gathering information, assessing risk and making evidence-based decisions that help keep children safe. You’ll be at the heart of identifying needs early and ensuring families receive the right support at the right time.

Working alongside colleagues from health, police, education, housing and other agencies, you'll play a vital role in safeguarding children and improving outcomes for families. This is an opportunity to build strong professional relationships while developing your expertise within a supportive and knowledgeable team.

At Wokingham, we are committed to high-quality practice and professional development. We’re looking for qualified Social Workers who bring strong analytical skills, sound judgement and a passion for safeguarding. In return, you'll benefit from a culture that values learning, continuous improvement and making a real impact on the lives of children and young people.

Benefits

Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including: 

⭐ Generous Annual Leave - 28 days per annum (rising by 5 days with 5 years continued local government serviced), plus Bank Holidays

⭐Local Government Pension Scheme 

⭐GP Helpline - Available 7 days a week

⭐Employee Assistance Programme - Including a 24/7 Your Care Helpline

⭐Free Eye Tests and Flu Vaccines

⭐Free Onsite Gym - Located at Shute End Offices, Wokingham

⭐Salary Sacrifice Schemes - Including Car and Cycle to Work schemes

⭐Local & Lifestyle Discounts - Save on shopping, entertainment, dining out & more

⭐Move through Menopause Course

⭐Sports & Social Group Activities – Including running, football, cricket & more

⭐Learning & Development Opportunities

⭐Employee Networks

⭐And more!

Key Responsibilities:

• Receive and review safeguarding referrals, gathering relevant information to make timely, evidence-based decisions that protect children and young people.
• Work collaboratively within a multi-agency team to assess risk, identify need and determine the most appropriate next steps for families.
• Analyse and evaluate information from a range of sources to support robust decision-making and effective safeguarding interventions.
• Maintain accurate, high-quality records and ensure all case information is updated within required timescales.
• Build strong relationships with partners across health, police, education, housing and other agencies to improve outcomes for children.
• Promote the welfare of children at all times, ensuring practice is aligned with legislation, guidance and best practice standards.

Candidate Requirements:

• Qualified Social Worker with a recognised Social Work qualification and professional registration.
• Experience working with children, families, or within a social care, health or education environment.
• Strong assessment, analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to make sound decisions in complex situations.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to work effectively with families and multi-agency partners.
• A motivated team player with good IT skills, a commitment to safeguarding, and a passion for achieving positive outcomes for children and young people.

Hybrid working: This is a hybrid working position, requiring the post holder to be office-based for 2-3 days per week. The requirement reflects the need to support occasional face-to-face contact with members of the public and to promote effective collaboration, learning, and development across the team.

To maintain service resilience, the post holder will be expected to work flexibly in line with team needs, ensuring sufficient office coverage is available on a daily basis, particularly during periods of annual leave, training, and staff absence.

Our Area:

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside. 

We’re home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. The borough has a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life. 

Click the link below and Apply Today! Alternatively, to arrange an informal discussion about the role, contact Jennifer Vanderheyden (MASH Team Manager) via email Jennifer.Vanderheyden@wokingham.gov.uk (Strictly no agencies).

Alternatively, you can contact Recruitment Specialist Alix Williams for a general discussion with regards to the role, and Wokingham Borough Council. Alix.williams@wokingham.gov.uk

Closing date: Sunday 25^th October 2026, at 11pm

Interview date: W/C 2^nd November, in person, in Wokingham.

AI in Applications:

We recognise that candidates may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support the preparation of their job applications. When used appropriately, AI can be a helpful aid in structuring responses, checking clarity, and improving presentation.

However, applications must reflect your own skills, experience and understanding. If an application appears to rely excessively on AI-generated content, it may not meet the required standard and could be rejected.

We encourage all applicants to ensure their submissions are authentic, tailored to the role, and clearly demonstrate their own knowledge, experience and suitability.

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.