Why Southampton?

Our vision and how we work

Southampton is a vibrant, diverse, city with a beautiful coastal and forest backdrop and huge ambition for children. It has significant aspiration and challenges, and a real soul and identity.

We know the social work profession is challenging. It requires stamina, resilience, and determination, but it is a career that enriches and transforms the lives of children and families. It is a profession we should be proud to be a part of, as well as humble that all that we do can have a lasting impact on our most vulnerable children.

Ofsted told us that our practitioners report having manageable workloads, supportive relationships with almost entirely permanent managers. We offer the opportunity to continually grow in experience, knowledge and confidence.

We are building a strong social work family where practitioners and managers feel safe and are supported to develop enduring relationships with children, families and each other. 

Our career pathway celebrates practitioners and managers with every kind of ambition, including:

  • Training to be a social worker
  • Undertaking your Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE)
  • Being a highly valued senior social worker or, qualifying as a practice educator

And with the right support and opportunities, becoming great leaders and managers. There is more than one pathway available, reflecting our understanding that practitioners wish to develop their skills and careers in different ways. We are not a one size fits all organisation.

Why choose us

Southampton is an invigorating and rewarding place to be a social worker. It is also a great city to live, bring up a family with rich cultural diversity, great open spaces and the sea in open view.

Even when the work is not easy, it is always rewarding. Here is why:

Training and development SHOW


Work-life balance SHOW


Living and working in Southampton SHOW


Become part of the Southampton family

If you decide to work at Southampton City Council, you’ll be joining a friendly team who help one another to achieve their full potential and feel supported. We often refer to our tight knit team as the Southampton family as we are able to work so closely together and support each other.

See our latest vacancies