Child-Centered Social Worker: Safeguarding & Permanence

We Do Social Work; Bulwell; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Nottinghamshire County Council’s Social Work service is recruiting a Social Worker for the District Child Protection, Court & Permanence team. You will assess needs, safeguard children and promote positive outcomes through strengths-based practice, working directly with families and partner agencies.

You will undertake statutory visits, contribute to care planning and court processes, and prepare professional reports in line with legislation and professional standards.

Qualifications

• Current registration with Social Work England is required.
• Experience of working with children, young people and families within a statutory or relevant social care setting.
• Knowledge and understanding of child protection, safeguarding and children's social care legislation.
• Experience of undertaking assessments, managing risk and developing effective care and support plans.
• Ability to undertake direct work with children and families using a child-centred and strengths-based approach.
• Good understanding of statutory processes, including Child Protection, Child in Need and care planning.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare professional reports and court documentation.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and maintain accurate case records.
• Ability to work effectively with multi-agency professionals and build positive working relationships with families.

Responsibilities

• Undertake comprehensive assessments of children and families, identifying needs, strengths, vulnerabilities and potential safeguarding risks.
• Direct work with children and young people to understand their wishes, feelings and lived experiences.
• Undertake statutory visits and maintain regular contact with children and families in accordance with statutory requirements.
• Develop, implement, monitor and review effective plans to safeguard children and promote positive outcomes.
• Manage a varied caseload, ensuring that cases are progressed effectively and within required timescales.
• Respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns, undertaking necessary enquiries and interventions to protect children from harm.
• Contribute to Child Protection Conferences, Core Groups, Child in Need meetings, Looked After Children reviews and care planning meetings.
• Prepare high-quality assessments, case recordings, reports, statements and court documentation within required deadlines.
• Support children and families through care proceedings, permanence planning and other statutory processes where required.
• Work collaboratively with parents, carers, schools, health professionals, police and other relevant partner agencies.
• Promote family participation and ensure that children and young people's voices remain central to all decision-making.
• Maintain accurate, timely and comprehensive case records in line with organisational policies and professional standards.
• Identify and respond to changes in family circumstances, reassessing risks and adapting intervention plans accordingly.
• Participate in regular supervision, team meetings, training and professional development activities.
• Work in accordance with relevant legislation, statutory guidance, local procedures and Social Work England professional standards.

Skills

Current registration with Social Work

Experience with children & families in

Child protection & safeguarding

Assessments & risk management

Direct work with children & families

Statutory processes knowledge

Excellent written & verbal comms

Prioritisation & meeting deadlines

Multi-agency collaboration

Education

Degree in Social Work or DipSW

Job description

Nottinghamshire County Council’s Social Work service is recruiting a Social Worker for the District Child Protection, Court & Permanence team. You will assess needs, safeguard children and promote positive outcomes through strengths-based practice, working directly with families and partner agencies.

You will undertake statutory visits, contribute to care planning and court processes, and prepare professional reports in line with legislation and professional standards.