Exploitation Social Worker | Contextual Safeguarding | Central Lancashire and Lancaster

Lancashire County Council; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave + bank holidays

Flexible and hybrid working

Local Government Pension Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounts & salary sacrifice schemes

Continuous learning & development

Job summary

Lancashire County Council is seeking a Contextual Safeguarding Social Worker to support children and young people experiencing exploitation and extra-familial harm. The post sits in the EmPower Contextual Safeguarding Team in Central Lancashire and offers a multidisciplinary, developmental approach with strong supervision.

Join a service committed to safeguarding outcomes, relationship-based practice, and ongoing professional development in a flexible, hybrid working environment.

Qualifications

• Registered with Social Work England (SWE) or in process.
• Must have a vehicle for business use (driving).
• Experience in contextual safeguarding, exploitation, or related safeguarding work is desirable.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and with partner agencies.

Responsibilities

• Hold and manage a caseload of children experiencing exploitation and extra-familial harm.
• Complete high-quality assessments, planning and direct intervention work.
• Develop safety plans and support children to achieve positive outcomes.
• Work collaboratively with families, professionals and community partners.
• Contribute to risk management and safeguarding processes.
• Deliver reflective, child-centred social work practice.
• Champion contextual safeguarding approaches across the partnership network.

Skills

Relationship building

Curious & reflective

Motivated to learn

Confident in complex safeguarding

Child-centred practice

Job description

Salary £35,235 - £44,711 (Bar at £39,513) Per Annum | Permanent, Full Time, 37 hours per week |

International Sponsorship – this role is not open to international sponsorship.

Ready for Your Next Step in Social Work?

If you're passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people affected by exploitation and extra-familial harm, Lancashire's Contextual Safeguarding Service offers an exciting opportunity to be part of a growing and innovative service.

Whether you're an experienced practitioner looking for your next challenge or seeking to develop your expertise in exploitation and contextual safeguarding, we'll support you to thrive and grow your career.

This is an exciting time to join Lancashire County Council as we continue to redesign and strengthen our approach to supporting children experiencing exploitation, serious youth violence, and other forms of extra-familial harm.

By adopting the Tackling Child Exploitation (TCE) Practice Principles and expanding our multidisciplinary teams, you'll have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with children and young people, helping them to achieve positive and lasting outcomes.

Come and Meet the Team

Thinking about joining us?

We welcome informal conversations with prospective applicants to help you learn more about the role, our vision, and how we work with children and young people across Lancashire.

For An Informal Discussion, Please Contact

Sophie Eaves, Team Manager

[e-mail]

Why Join Lancashire?

At Lancashire County Council, we're committed to delivering innovative, relationship-based practice that places children and young people at the centre of everything we do.

You’ll Benefit From

• A progressive and evolving Contextual Safeguarding Service
• Strong management support and reflective supervision
• Opportunities to influence the development of service delivery
• Collaborative multi-agency working
• Meaningful direct work with children and young people
• A culture that values learning, development, and professional curiosity

Working in Contextual Safeguarding

Our EmPower Contextual Safeguarding Team works with children and young people who are experiencing:

• Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)
• Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)
• Serious youth violence
• Missing episodes
• Extra-familial harm
• Peer and community-based risks

Working within a multidisciplinary framework, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Develop trusted, impactful relationships with children and young people
• Understand and address risks beyond the family home
• Work collaboratively with partner agencies and communities
• Support children to reduce vulnerability and increase safety
• Promote positive outcomes through creative and relationship-based interventions

About The Role

As a Contextual Safeguarding Social Worker, you will:

• Hold and manage a caseload of children experiencing exploitation and extra-familial harm
• Complete high-quality assessments, planning, and direct intervention work
• Develop safety plans and support children to achieve positive outcomes
• Work collaboratively with families, professionals, and community partners
• Contribute to risk management and safeguarding processes
• Deliver reflective, child-centred social work practice
• Champion contextual safeguarding approaches across the wider partnership network

We currently have a vacancy within our EmPower Contextual Safeguarding Team in Central Lancashire.

About You

We're looking for Social Workers who are:

• Passionate about improving the lives of vulnerable children and young people
• Skilled in building trusting relationships
• Curious, reflective, and motivated to learn
• Confident working in complex safeguarding situations
• Committed to delivering strengths-based practice
• Resilient, compassionate, and child-focused

Our children and young people tell us they value professionals who:

• Listen to them
• Spend time getting to know them
• Are reliable and consistent
• Understand their experiences
• Help them feel safe and respected

Training & Development

Your professional development is important to us.

We Offer

• Comprehensive induction and onboarding support
• Training in Contextual Safeguarding and Exploitation Practice
• Access to learning through the TCE Practice Framework
• Regular supervision and reflective practice opportunities
• Ongoing professional development and career progression pathways
• Support from experienced managers and multidisciplinary colleagues

What We Offer

We recognise the importance of supporting your wellbeing and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Benefits Include

• 26 days annual leave rising to 32 days, plus bank holidays
• Option to purchase up to 20 additional days leave
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to employee discounts and salary sacrifice schemes
• Continuous learning and development opportunities

Closing Date: 25 September

Interviews Expected: 5 October

This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended).

Applicants must be registered with Social Work England (SWE) or have submitted an application for registration before appointment.

You will be required to provide a vehicle for business use and hold appropriate business insurance. Applications from candidates unable to drive due to a disability will be considered.

Lancashire County Council reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.