Lead Social Worker (Hybrid, 9-Day Fortnight)

Hampshire County Council; Abbots Worthy; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working options

Relocation assistance up to £8,500

Wellbeing support

Job summary

Hampshire County Council is seeking an experienced social worker to deliver statutory interventions and assessments for children and families. You will champion the Hampshire Approach, centering children’s voices in decisions, while managing complex caseloads and maintaining clear care planning documentation.

Role includes supervising junior staff, mentoring in Family Help Hubs, and leading statutory meetings as deputy Team Manager. Experience in safeguarding and service development is essential.

Qualifications

• Significant UK-based frontline statutory social work experience, including senior-level practice within Children & Families services.
• Excellent assessment and supervision skills.
• Confident in making safeguarding decisions to ensure children are safe and protected at all times.
• Proven track record in service development and innovation.

Responsibilities

• Deliver statutory interventions and assessments for children and families, including child protection, child-in-need, care proceedings and contextual safeguarding.
• Champion the Hampshire Approach, ensuring children's voices are central to all decision-making.
• Contribute to effective caseload management by co-working complex cases, prioritising tasks and maintaining high standards in written work, assessments and care planning.
• Support the development of less experienced staff within the Family Help Hubs through supervision, mentoring and group sessions, while ensuring regular case reviews and team briefings are conducted.
• Provide leadership through chairing statutory meetings, deputising for the Team Manager and acting as a key point of reference for casework decisions and task allocation.

Skills

Frontline statutory experience

Assessment & supervision

Safeguarding decisions

Service development & innovation

Education

Social Work degree

Job description

Hampshire County Council is seeking an experienced social worker to deliver statutory interventions and assessments for children and families. You will champion the Hampshire Approach, centering children’s voices in decisions, while managing complex caseloads and maintaining clear care planning documentation.

Role includes supervising junior staff, mentoring in Family Help Hubs, and leading statutory meetings as deputy Team Manager. Experience in safeguarding and service development is essential.