Newly Qualified Social Worker

Grade H SCP 27 £38,220- SCP 31 £41,771 plus Essential Car User Allowance up to £963pa
Contract: Permanent
Essential Requirement: Full Driving Licence, DBS
Essential Qualification: Social Work Qualified and Registered with SWE
Interview date: 30 April 2026
For further information about this role, contact Jennifer Kenny Jennifer.Kenny@bolton.gov.uk

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)
We embrace AI to enhance our operations and to innovate our services. However, we value human talent and are looking for passionate individuals to join our organisation. Please ensure you personally complete your application and read all the instructions carefully to maximise your chances of success.

Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting, however we understand that AI may be used as a reasonable adjustment, if using AI to support your application, please give a brief explanation why to help ensure fair selection process.
Ask us about flexible working options to fit with your work/life balance - #HappytoTalkFlexible

The Role
Bolton is looking for newly qualified social workers. We would love you to join us on 30th April 2026 where you will meet our DCS and Assistant Director and Team Managers and hear from our Strategic Leads and Heads of Service. We have roles predominantly in our Safeguarding and Referral & Assessment Teams although other roles may become available. Come and hear about them, meet the managers and then if you are successful choose what’s right for you.

Just about to qualify?

If you are about to qualify we know that your first job is really important and you need to know you will have the support, caseload and colleagues that will help you to gain the confidence and skills you need to set you on the right pathway for an amazing career in social care. We have a dedicated lead for supporting ASYEs and a comprehensive package of support that we think will really set your mind at ease about embarking on what is an exciting but challenging career here in Bolton.

About You
We want people who reflect our values. We want people who are kind, empathic and who genuinely want to make the difference for children and families in Bolton.

We want you to come with an openness, honesty and a can-do attitude and if that’s you, we’ll provide the right context and the support for you to shine.

We can offer a great work life balance, managed caseloads, a nice building to work in with a café and free parking, as well as a supportive management team who are all on-site and on-hand to help you and to make sure you feel supported.

The application is easy. If you think you could be what we're looking for, apply now with your CV and covering letter.

Within your covering letter of no more than 2 sides of A4 with specific reference to the job description and person specification, please demonstrate your skills, knowledge and experience gained from university and relevant work experience /placements which you feel make you a suitable applicant.

If shortlisted we look forward to you joining us on the day. The day will include:
- A group discussion.
- Written exercise.
- Interview.

About Us
This is your opportunity to join us at an exciting time as we have strong ambitions for the borough.

Bolton is a great place to work. We are a welcoming organisation that wants to contribute to a place where people feel active, connected and prosperous. We are passionate about improving the outcomes and experience of Bolton people. We want Bolton to be a vibrant place built on strong cohesive communities, successful businesses and healthy, engaged residents.

As an employer we want to thank our employees for their hard work and commitment, by giving them the opportunity to access a range of exclusive rewards and benefits, including discounts and exclusive gym membership prices and salary sacrifice schemes. In addition, we offer a generous annual leave allowance, flexible work opportunities, access to a Pension Scheme, as well as a range of employee wellbeing and support services.

Our Values are really important to us, read all about them below, along with all our great staff benefits, the job description/person specification for the role and the important legal bits, and our Top Tips too.
Ready to apply? Then please click Apply and upload your anonymised CV and supporting statement discussing your relevant skills and experience and explain how you believe they make you a strong fit for this role.

Within Greater Manchester, local authorities have made a commitment to improve the employment opportunities for people with disabilities, care leavers, carers, and ex-military personnel. Please see greater.jobs for further information before you apply.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance - this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Employment offers are conditional subject to satisfactory clearances. For roles where a criminal records check from the DBS is required, this includes satisfactory clearance of this check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily bar an individual from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of an individual’s offence/s. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here. Bolton Council’s policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders is available here.

This post is a designated customer facing role under the fluency duty and requires a specified level of spoken English as per the person specification.

This organisation has signed up to the Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment. That means we will recognise your continuous or ‘unbroken’ service in any Greater Manchester local authority or NHS organisation that has signed the commitment, Transport for Greater Manchester, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service or Greater Manchester Combined Authority, giving you access to our service-related benefits. Please see the home page of greater.jobs for more information.

For more information about working for Bolton Council, please see greater.jobs; for advice and support with your application, contact recruitment@bolton.gov.uk