Our Values

In line with our One Coventry Values we strive to have a workforce that reflects our local communities and welcome applicants from all sections of the community. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic backgrounds, applicants who have a disability and applicants who are from the LGBTQ+ community to apply for our senior leadership roles. 

Our Values are:

• Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
• Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
• Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
• Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
• Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
• Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

About the team we are recruiting to

At Coventry City Council, we are embarking on an incredible journey to create a brighter future for Coventry's children. As a 'Good' Local Authority, we believe in pushing boundaries and delivering excellence for children and families. We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias.

Our vision is clear, and our social workers are unwavering in their commitment to putting children and families at the centre of their practice.

Be part of our inspiring team, making a meaningful difference in the lives of Coventry's children. Together, let's create a nurturing environment where every child's potential can flourish.

What is the job role?

We are looking for a Principal Social Worker to join our Leadership Team to deliver the best outcomes for children. As a ‘GOOD’ authority rated by Ofsted , this is an exciting time to join Children’s Services and be part of the journey that has ‘children and young people at the heart of everything we do’

As the Principal Social Worker, you will provide leadership and professional support to social workers and be responsible for the development of social work practice and practice systems, promoting best practice which positively responds and supports practitioners and the Council to meet the individual needs of children, young people and their families in the city.

You will lead and support the delivery of developing a sufficient, sustainable, diverse, and inclusive workforce. The service recognises that creating the right conditions for good practice to succeed and supporting Children’s Services colleagues to be the best has a positive impact for the children and families we work with.

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for an inspirational and culturally competent leader with significant knowledge and expertise in the practice and delivery of social work for children across a range of settings.

You will be an individual who recognises the value of diversity in driving organisational excellence, and who is committed to creating an environment where every individual feels valued and supported.

You will have detailed knowledge of current legislation, national standards and best practice affecting children's services, knowledge of national strategies, policies and frameworks for the provision of children's services and detailed knowledge of qualification and professional accreditation arrangements for social work learning and career pathways.

The children and families we work with come from a variety of backgrounds and in order to deliver the best possible care it is vital that we have a workforce that represents and understands their unique experiences and perspectives.

Our workforce data shows that men, people from minority ethnic backgrounds, have a disability or who identify as being from the LGBT+ community are under-represented at management level and encourage applicants from these backgrounds to apply.  This does not prevent individuals with or without other protected characteristics as set out within the Equality Act 2010 from applying for this post.  

If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.

For full details on the application process please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'

Interview date: 21st June 2024

About Coventry

Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change.

We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.

At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.

To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.

If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package - to find out more please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies

Coventry City Council