Our vision is to provide social work from the secure base model. Promoting resilience and skills in child and family social workers helps good social work thrive.
We recognise the intense and, sometimes, emotionally depleting work that our profession demands. We are proud to have our own humanistic integrative counsellor. This is part of our commitment to support and provide a secure base for you, and will help you to be as effective as you can be in your role.
For new starters we offer a full induction, equipping you with the tools you need to undertake effective work with families. We use a buddy system to support new practitioners to feel confident with new systems and new environments.
Our pledge is one we make to each other:
To create a sense of belonging for all our staff where you will feel connected, appreciated, heard, accepted, included, and supported.
Our key commitments to staff include:
- manageable caseloads - allowing you to spend more time with children
- regular reflective supervision, including personal, case and group supervision
- an embedded practice model alongside innovative tools to support your practice
- a visible, approachable and available leadership team
- learning and development opportunities with professional development plans and appraisals
- membership to Research in Practice and Making Research Count
Other benefits
Retention payment
Social Workers within our Children’s Social Care Teams are entitled to a 4% retention payment.
The retention payment is paid on successful completion of each year’s service. See our individual job descriptions for further details.
Essential car user allowance and free car parking
We offer a £963 car user allowance.
Learning and development
It is important to us that you feel confident and able to do a good job. We will encourage you to take up the wide variety of learning and development available.
Workforce development is a key priority of our department, and we know the importance of continual professional development. We offer a blended learning approach, and you will be encouraged and supported to have time to learn and develop.
You will benefit from an individualised professional development plan, an annual appraisal and regular reflective supervision. You will also have full access to both of our learning platforms Research in Practice and Making research count.
We're also proud to offer our Children's Social Care Academy.
Pension
Bracknell Forest Council operates the Local Government Pension Scheme.
This is a final salary pension scheme. Contributions depend on your salary (ranging from 6.5% to 8.5% of gross salary) and full tax relief is given.
Staff benefits
Working for Bracknell Forest entitles you to a large variety of rewards and benefits. This will give you access to shopping vouchers from high street retailers such as Sainsburys, leisure centre membership and an excellent sports and social club.