Experienced Social Worker - Disabled Children Team

3 Month Contract With A Local Authority

To provide high-quality social work services for children, young people and families, managing complex cases where there are significant safeguarding concerns, high levels of need and multi-agency involvement.

The postholder will undertake statutory social work responsibilities, completing assessments, care planning and interventions that promote positive outcomes for children and families. Working within legislative frameworks and the Family Safeguarding Model, the role requires strong assessment, risk management and analytical skills, alongside the ability to work collaboratively with partner agencies, children and their families.

Experienced Social Workers are expected to provide professional leadership within the team, model best practice, support less experienced colleagues and contribute to service development and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a complex and varied caseload of children, young people and families.
  
  
  


• Undertake statutory assessments, investigations and interventions in line with Children's Services legislation.
  
  
  


• Complete comprehensive assessments of need, risk and protective factors.
  
  
  


• Assess and manage safeguarding concerns, including child protection and children in need cases.
  
  
  


• Work directly with children, young people and families using strengths-based and relationship-based practice.
  
  
  


• Apply Family Safeguarding Model principles to support positive family change.
  
  
  


• Develop and implement child-centred care plans and intervention plans.
  
  
  


• Undertake Section 17, Section 47, Section 20 and Section 31 related work where required.
  
  
  


• Chair and contribute to child-focused meetings and planning processes.
  
  
  


• Attend strategy meetings, child protection conferences, reviews and multi-agency meetings.
  
  
  


• Prepare high-quality assessments, reports and court documentation.
  
  
  


• Present evidence and represent the Local Authority in court proceedings where required.
  
  
  


• Assess parental capacity to change and evaluate risks to children.
  
  
  


• Identify signs of neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and exploitation.
  
  
  


• Manage complex safeguarding situations involving high levels of risk and professional challenge.
  
  
  


• Work collaboratively with schools, health professionals, police, legal representatives and other agencies.
  
  
  


• Maintain accurate and timely case recordings and documentation.
  
  
  


• Promote participation and ensure children and young people's voices are central to decision-making.
  
  
  


• Provide guidance and professional support to newly qualified and less experienced social workers.
  
  
  


• Undertake Practice Educator or ASYE Assessor responsibilities where appropriate.
  
  
  


• Contribute to service improvement initiatives, practice development and quality assurance activities.
  
  
  


• Act as a champion for specific areas of practice and support knowledge sharing across the service.
  
  
  

Requirements

Essential

• Qualified Social Worker.
  
  
  


• Registered with Social Work England.
  
  
  


• Minimum two years post-qualification experience within a statutory Children's Social Care setting.
  
  
  


• Significant experience managing complex safeguarding and child protection cases.
  
  
  


• Experience completing assessments, care planning and court-related work.
  
  
  


• Strong knowledge of:
  
  
  
  • Children Act 1989 and 2004
    
    
    
  
  
  • Working Together to Safeguard Children
    
    
    
  
  
  • Child Protection Procedures
    
    
    
  
  
  • Care Proceedings
    
    
    
  
  
  • Family Safeguarding Practice
    
    
    
  
  
  • Relevant Children's Social Care legislation and guidance
    
    
    
  
  


• Experience of multi-agency working and partnership practice.
  
  
  


• Ability to undertake robust risk assessments and formulate effective intervention plans.
  
  
  


• Excellent analytical, assessment and report-writing skills.
  
  
  


• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
  
  
  


• Experience working with challenging family circumstances and high-risk situations.
  
  
  


• Ability to manage competing priorities and complex workloads.
  
  
  


• Good IT skills and experience using social care case management systems.
  
  
  


• Enhanced DBS clearance.
  
  
  

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualification in a relevant area.
  
  
  


• Practice Educator qualification.
  
  
  


• Experience supervising, mentoring or supporting junior colleagues.
  
  
  


• Experience acting as an ASYE Assessor.
  
  
  


• Specialist safeguarding, court or child protection training.
  
  
  

Additional Information

• Location: Swindon
  
  
  


• Hours Per Week: 37 Hours
  
  
  


• Payment Frequency: Bi-Weekly Payment