Specialist Social Worker

3 Month Contract With A Local Authority

Role Purpose

To provide high-quality social work practice at a senior level within the Referral & Assessment Team, delivering timely assessments, safeguarding children, and supporting effective decision-making at the front door of Children’s Services. The Senior Practitioner will support the team by offering expertise, mentoring less experienced staff, and ensuring statutory duties are met to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and families.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake high-quality, timely assessments in line with statutory requirements and local policies.

• Analyse risk and protective factors to inform safe and proportionate decision-making.

• Deliver child-centred interventions that promote safety, resilience, and positive outcomes.

• Manage a complex caseload, including urgent safeguarding referrals, Section 47 enquiries, and child in need assessments.

• Ensure all children’s needs and risks are assessed promptly and appropriately.

• Lead multi-agency strategy discussions, child protection enquiries, and emergency safeguarding work.

• Use professional judgement to make defensible decisions in high-risk situations.

• Provide informal supervision, case consultation, and mentoring to social workers and newly qualified staff.

• Support the Team Manager in maintaining practice standards within the team.

• Model high-quality recording, decision-making and reflective practice.

• Promote a culture of learning, continuous improvement, and strengths-based practice.

• Build effective working relationships with partner agencies including health, police, education, and voluntary services.

• Ensure timely information-sharing and joint working to safeguard children.

• Represent the service at professional meetings, case conferences, and legal planning forums.

• Ensure all case records, assessments, and plans are completed to a high standard and within set timescales.

• Contribute to audit activity, service improvements, and the development of team practice.

• Keep up to date with legislation, research, and best practice in children's social care.

Requirements

• Social Work Qualification (BA, BSc, MA, DipSW or equivalent).

• Current registration with Social Work England.

• Significant post-qualifying experience within children’s services, including frontline safeguarding.

• Proven competency working within a Referral & Assessment / Front Door / MASH environment.

• Experience managing complex safeguarding cases and statutory assessments.

• Strong understanding of Children Act 1989, Working Together 2023, Care Act, and other key legislation.

• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities effectively.

• Experience mentoring, supporting, or supervising practitioners.

• Previous experience in a Senior Practitioner or Advanced Social Worker role.

• Training in Signs of Safety, systemic practice, motivational interviewing, or other recognised models.