A social worker CV must show your registration, your team and the statutory work you hold, then evidence of good practice and outcomes. This example is for a children's social worker who has completed the ASYE. Adult social workers should swap in Care Act assessments, safeguarding enquiries and Mental Capacity Act work.
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Example social worker CV
A fictional person, employers and figures, to show the format. Replace every detail with your own.
Aisha Rahman
Social Worker · Children's services · Social Work England registered · Birmingham · aisha.rahman@example.com · 07700 900975
Personal statement
Registered social worker with three years' experience in a children's safeguarding and assessment team, holding a caseload of children in need and on child protection plans. Completed the ASYE. Confident in court work, multi-agency meetings and direct work with children. Looking for a senior practitioner role in a supportive local authority.
Experience
Social Worker, Safeguarding and Assessment, Kingsmere City Council Children's Services, Birmingham (Sep 2024 - Present)
Hold a caseload of children in need, child protection and pre-proceedings cases, completing assessments within timescales.
Lead Section 47 enquiries and present reports at initial and review child protection conferences.
Wrote parenting assessments and statements for care proceedings; the court accepted my recommendations in each case.
Use direct work tools to make sure children's wishes and feelings are recorded in their own words.
Newly Qualified Social Worker (ASYE), Kingsmere City Council Children's Services, Birmingham (Sep 2023 - Aug 2024)
Completed the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment with a protected caseload and reflective supervision.
Worked with schools, health visitors and police in core groups to make plans that families could follow.
Family Support Worker, Bright Paths Family Centre, Birmingham (Jan 2019 - Aug 2021)
Ran parenting groups and home visits for families referred by early help.
Education
MA Social Work, University of Birmingham, 2021 - 2023. Placements in an adult community team and a children's fostering team.
BSc (Hons) Psychology, 2:1, Aston University, 2015 - 2018
Training and certifications
Social Work England registration, Social Work England, Current
Signs of Safety practice, Kingsmere City Council, 2024
Court skills for social workers, Kingsmere City Council, 2025
Skills
Child protection and Section 47 enquiries, Assessment and analysis, Court report writing, Multi-agency working, Direct work with children, Reflective practice, Full UK driving licence
Languages
English, Urdu (fluent)
A social worker personal statement to adapt
Registered social worker with three years' experience in a children's safeguarding and assessment team, holding a caseload of children in need and on child protection plans. Completed the ASYE. Confident in court work, multi-agency meetings and direct work with children. Looking for a senior practitioner role in a supportive local authority.
Key skills for a social worker CV
Assessment and analysis - Gathering information, weighing risk and writing clear, evidence-based conclusions.
Legal knowledge - The Children Act 1989 for children's work, or the Care Act 2014 and Mental Capacity Act 2005 for adults.
Report writing - Assessments, conference reports and court statements that stand up to scrutiny.
Multi-agency working - Core groups, strategy meetings and plans made with schools, health and police.
Direct work - Hearing the child or adult's voice and recording it in their words.
Managing a caseload - Prioritising, meeting timescales and keeping records up to date.
Reflective practice - Using supervision well, which employers value highly.
What a UK social worker CV needs
Registration - Social Work England in England, Social Work Wales, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) or the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC). Give your registration status clearly.
ASYE status - In England, say whether you have completed the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment, or are looking for an ASYE post.
Your team and caseload - Children's or adults', the type of work, and the kind of cases you hold.
Statutory work - Section 47 enquiries, child protection conferences, court work, Care Act assessments or best interests decisions.
Qualifying route - Degree or master's in social work, or routes such as Frontline, Step Up to Social Work or Think Ahead, with placements.
Driving licence - Most local authority posts need one, because of home visits.
Achievement bullets to adapt
The figures are invented to show the format. Use your own.
Held a caseload of children in need and child protection cases, with assessments completed within timescales.
Presented reports at initial and review child protection conferences.
Wrote court statements and parenting assessments accepted by the court.
Completed Care Act assessments and support plans for adults with complex needs.
Supervised a social work student on placement, who passed.
Social Worker CV questions
Should I list my caseload size on my CV?
You can give a typical range if it helps show your level, but focus on the type and complexity of the work. Never include anything that could identify a child, adult or family.
What is the ASYE?
The Assessed and Supported Year in Employment is the first year for newly qualified social workers in England, with a protected caseload, extra supervision and an assessment at the end.
How long should a social worker CV be?
Two pages. Keep detail for your current team and your qualifying placements if you are newly qualified, and shorten older roles.