Senior Social Worker – Safeguarding Teams

Organisation: Achieving for Children
Location: High Street, Kingston upon Thames, Greater London, KT1 1EU
Service: Children's Social Care – Safeguarding Teams
Role level: Senior Practitioner

Job Purpose

To undertake complex statutory social work with children, young people and families within the Safeguarding Teams, ensuring that children are protected from harm and supported to achieve positive and sustainable outcomes.

The post holder will manage a complex caseload of children subject to Child Protection Plans and Child in Need Plans, providing high-quality assessments, interventions, care planning and safeguarding services.

The Senior Social Worker will exercise professional autonomy, make sound decisions about risk and safeguarding, and work collaboratively with children, families, partner agencies and multidisciplinary professionals.

The role also involves supporting the professional development of colleagues, supervising students and newly qualified social workers, contributing to team learning and deputising for the Team Leader when required.

 Key Responsibilities

 Safeguarding and Child Protection

• Manage a complex caseload of children and families requiring statutory social care intervention.

• Undertake child protection investigations and assessments of children's needs and circumstances.

• Identify, assess and manage safeguarding risks, taking appropriate action to protect children from abuse, neglect and harm.

• Develop, implement and review Child Protection Plans and Child in Need Plans.

• Work with families to identify risks, strengths and protective factors.

• Ensure children's voices, wishes and feelings are represented in all safeguarding decisions.

• Promote children's safety, welfare and best interests in accordance with statutory requirements.

 Assessment, Care Planning and Case Management

• Complete comprehensive assessments of children and families, demonstrating sound analytical skills and professional judgement.

• Prepare accurate assessment reports, care plans, court reports and other statutory documentation.

• Apply relevant legislation, policies and safeguarding thresholds when determining appropriate interventions.

• Undertake home visits, direct work and interventions with children, young people and their families.

• Monitor progress against agreed plans and review interventions to ensure positive outcomes.

• Manage allocated cases independently, ensuring statutory timescales and organisational procedures are met.

• Maintain accurate, timely and confidential case records.

 Court Work and Legal Proceedings

• Manage cases progressing through the Public Law Outline (PLO) pre-proceedings process.

• Contribute to care proceedings and support the development of appropriate permanency plans.

• Prepare reports and evidence to support legal decision-making.

• Work collaboratively with legal professionals, guardians and other relevant agencies.

• Maintain case responsibility until the final court order is granted and a permanency plan is agreed, where applicable.

 Multi-Agency Partnership Working

• Develop effective working relationships with children, parents, carers and extended family networks.

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

• Coordinate multi-agency meetings and contribute to safeguarding conferences and professional discussions.

• Work alongside specialist practitioners, including domestic abuse specialists, mental health professionals, substance misuse workers and family support practitioners.

• Promote family-led solutions and community-based support to prevent unnecessary escalation of statutory intervention.

 Leadership, Supervision and Professional Development

• Provide professional support and guidance to colleagues within the safeguarding team.

• Directly supervise student social workers and/or Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) practitioners.

• Lead peer supervision and contribute to reflective practice and team learning.

• Support the development of colleagues' knowledge, skills and professional confidence.

• Share best practice and promote continuous professional development.

• Deputise for the Team Leader when required.

 Practice Standards and Continuous Improvement

• Apply the Signs of Safety practice model when working with children and families.

• Promote relationship-based, strengths-based and child-centred social work.

• Ensure practice meets statutory requirements, professional standards and organisational policies.

• Participate in regular reflective supervision and professional development.

• Contribute to service improvement and the development of effective safeguarding practice.

 Qualifications and Professional Requirements

Essential:

• Degree-level education with a recognised professional Social Work qualification.

• Active registration with Social Work England.

• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD).

 Knowledge, Skills and Experience

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Extensive experience in statutory children's social care.

• Knowledge of child protection procedures and safeguarding legislation.

• Understanding of the Children Act 1989 and other relevant statutory frameworks.

• Experience undertaking child protection investigations and comprehensive assessments.

• Ability to assess and manage complex safeguarding risks.

• Experience managing a complex caseload independently.

• Strong analytical, assessment and decision-making skills.

• Experience developing and reviewing Child Protection and Child in Need Plans.

• Knowledge and understanding of Public Law Outline and care proceedings.

• Experience undertaking direct work with children, young people and families.

• Ability to prepare high-quality assessments, reports and court documentation.

• Experience working in partnership with multidisciplinary agencies.

• Experience supporting, mentoring or supervising other professionals.

• Ability to organise workload effectively and meet statutory deadlines.