Liverpool Council

Liverpool City Council Children’s Services

In Liverpool City Council Children’s Services, Student Social Workers play a vital role in the support we offer to children, young people and their families. A placement with us offers more than just experience — it’s an opportunity to making a real, lasting difference in children’s lives in this city. As a student social worker, you’ll step into a learning environment that steps you up strong for your career ahead.

Liverpool is a city of community, passion and diversity. You will gain experience supporting children and young people from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities. This is your chance to build confidence, develop resilience, and make a difference. If you are ready to be set up strong for your career in social work – there’s no better place to start than Liverpool.

During your placement in Liverpool, you will spend a majority of time of one of the following teams:

Assessment Team
As a student social worker in one of our Assessment Teams, you will gain experience with frontline referrals, statutory assessments, and initial safeguarding responses. You will be working closely with families in crisis and learning to identify risk, assess need, and support from day one.

Safeguarding Team
s a student social worker in one of our Safeguarding Teams, you will develop lasting relationships and safeguard children through child protection plans, child in need support, and court work. This is where you’ll deepen your understanding of complex casework and sustained family support.

Permanence Team
As a student social worker in one of our Permanence Teams, you will see the long-term impact of social work and support young people who we care for. You’ll support children and young people to maintain their safety and wellbeing through care planning and pathway planning into adulthood.

Adoption & Special Guardianship Order (SGO) Team As a student social worker in our Adoption and Special Guardianship Order Team, you will support children and families on their journey of permanence. You’ll gain insight on the complexities of identity, attachment, and family-building, as well as the lifelong impact of these decisions on children and carers alike.

You can also gain shadowing experience in other areas across children’s services that may interest you, including:

CASS
In our CASS service, you will be see how the ‘front door’ to children’s services works as practitioners screen calls, assess risks and enter children and young people at risk are able to access support in a timely manner.

Fostering
In our Fostering service, you will learn how to assess, support, and develop foster carers, and gain insight into the vital role they play in a child’s journey. You’ll support with training, supervision, and placement matching that ensures children feel safe and supported.

Leaving Care
In leaving care, you can be part of supporting young people during a crucial period of their life as they transition into adulthood and independence. You will gain insight on the impact that trauma can have on young people and how crucial having the right support around them is to support them as they settle into their future.

Targeted Services
In Targeted Services you can gain experience of working alongside young people and their families who are at risk of becoming involved with antisocial behaviour, criminality or truancy. The support offered to them during this vulnerable time can make a life changing difference.

Quality Assurance Unit
In our Quality Assurance Team, you will gain insight on how plans of support are created, reviewed and driven forward. You will explore how multi-agency support can make a lasting difference in the lives of children and young people.

No matter which area of children’s services you are placed into, you will have the opportunity to work alongside committed, passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to make a difference for children and young people in Liverpool.