Return to Social Work

We are thrilled to be recruiting to our seventh Return to Social Work Programme cohort commencing in September 2025

Has it been a while since you last did a home visit?  

Did you have a career break or taken some time out to raise a family?

You may have left but we can support you to return to the profession that you love.

If you are someone who was previously qualified and practiced as a social worker but has had a break of more than 2 or more years from the profession, we are offering a bespoke Return to Social Work Programme to support you in your professional learning and development journey.

At Birmingham Children’s Trust we have a highly recognised Practice Academy, which supports all Social Workers Pre and Post qualification in a five year development pathway of opportunities. This includes but is not limited to; newly qualified Social Workers on their ASYE journey, Students, Practice Educators and Social Work Apprentices. We are committed to attracting high quality practitioners to our workforce and this programme will complement our current model of recruitment.

We are very different in our approach and vision as a Trust.  We have exceptional varied opportunities to develop your learning, ongoing training to improve practice, a clear way to progress through our progression pathway that recognises success and values staff. 

Our Return to Social Work Programme offers a paid opportunity to spend time back in practice gaining the experiences needed to support restoration with Social Work England. Each week you will be afforded a hybrid working approach to enable you to have learning time as well as hands on time working directly with children and families. Throughout you will have a strong team base together with designated developmental support from the Practice Academy to help you gain what you need and feel confident in your return to Social Work.

There are opportunities to join our Assessment and Short term intervention, Safeguarding; Children in Care; Fostering and Disability services, so do not delay – get your application in today!

About the Programme

On this programme you will receive:

• A supervised practice-based tailored experience, including shadowing and learning opportunities in the field of your choice within one of our key service areas
• Full support from our Practice Academy Practice Educator and team
• Opportunities for private and formal study
• Cohort approach where you will build close relationships and a support network within a learning environment

Throughout your placement you will be provided with support that will be appropriate to your level of experience and time away from practice, tailored to your individual needs.

Our Academy will support your placement to review your progress and ensure you have met all requirements in order to gain your registration with Social Work England.

Upon a successful placement and gaining your Social Work England registration, you will have access to the Core Practice training offer in line with the post qualifying practice standards; knowledge and skills statements. There is also a further option to consolidate your learning through our Children and Family Practitioner Programme with further support and developmental opportunities available.

We recognise that it can be challenging returning to practice after a period away, but with the right support, opportunities and encouragement we will ensure you will regain the confidence, experience and knowledge you need to make your return as smooth as possible, back to enjoying the role and making a difference to children and families lives across Birmingham.

Wider benefits in our offer

Following successful completion of your placement and restoration as a registered Social Worker, we offer a fully supportive team environment, with regular supervision, access to training and shared learning as well as mental health and well-being support. This is in addition to the wider range of benefits available which includes competitive rewards and pension, a generous annual leave package with 30 days plus bank holidays; Retention payment from day 1 of joining (where applicable) and our recently launched Salary Sacrifice Car Leasing Scheme; to name a few.  To find out more click HERE

If you want to know more or have any questions, come and join our drop-in webinar sessions on

Thursday 3rd April via Microsoft Teams between 5pm and 6pm  Join the meeting now

Tuesday 8th April via Microsoft Teams between between 1pm and 2pm Join the meeting now

Please note you will only need to attend one of these as both sessions will be the same.

The webinars will showcase the programme we offer throughout your development, the structure of training, our employment offer, and the application/ interview process. This will also give you an opportunity to ask any questions you have regarding our programme.

Please email [email protected] to register your attendance or contact if you have any queries.

Interviews will take place on the 13th, 14th and the morning of the 15th of May 2025. These will be held virtually.

The programme will commence week commencing 22nd September 2025.

Changing the lives of children and young people is at the heart of Birmingham Children’s Trust. Every child deserves a safe, nurturing environment where they can thrive and reach their full potential.

Help us to change children and young people’s lives!

At Birmingham Children’s Trust, we are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of over 10,000 children and young people in our city every day. Our mission is to support the most disadvantaged children and young people in Birmingham, ensuring they are safe, happy, and healthy.

Why Join Us?

• Impactful Work - be part of a team that makes a real difference in the lives of the city’s most vulnerable children.
• Supportive Environment - enjoy a supportive and collaborative work culture where your contributions are valued.
• Career Development - benefit from tailored development programs, supportive supervision, and a range of learning opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career.
• Generous Benefits - take advantage of our competitive reward package including generous leave allowance, Local Government pension scheme, and additional benefits.

Our Values

We approach our work with care and compassion, actively listening to the needs of the children and young people we serve. We involve them in the decisions that affect their lives, ensuring their voices are heard and respected.

We are committed to using our resources wisely, ensuring that every penny is spent where it counts the most. We foster collaboration among schools, health professionals, and the police, working together to create a supportive network for our young people.

We believe that when we work as one cohesive team, the children and young people of Birmingham are more likely to thrive. Our unified approach ensures that we provide the best possible support and opportunities for their growth and development.

Join us and together, we can create a brighter future for all.

Safeguarding

At Birmingham Children’s Trust, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Depending on the role, you may be asked to undergo the appropriate level of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to assess your suitability for working with children and young people.

The level of check (Standard, Enhanced, or Enhanced with Barred List) is determined based on the specific responsibilities of the role and the level of contact with children and young people.

We are committed to the fair treatment of all applicants, including those with criminal records. Having 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 the offence.