Practice Manager - MASH

Allscreens Nationwide Ltd

Thurrock

On-site

GBP 46,000 - 52,000

Full time

11 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave entitlement

Flexible and hybrid working

Ongoing training and professional dev.

Employee assistance programme

Staff discounts and local offers

Supportive and inclusive environment

Job summary

Thurrock Council seeks a Practice Manager (Senior Social Worker) for the MASH to lead safeguarding practice and improve outcomes for children and families. The role involves risk assessment, proportional threshold decisions and multi-agency collaboration.

Applicants should be registered with Social Work England, hold a social work degree (or Masters) and have post-qualification experience at Senior Practitioner level or higher. Hybrid working is available where applicable.

Qualifications

Be registered with Social Work England and hold a social work degree/masters.
Enhanced DBS check required.
Significant post-qualification experience in Children's Social Care, including safeguarding and Early Help.
Experience at Senior Practitioner level or above.

Responsibilities

Provide practice leadership within a multi-agency environment and support the MASH Team.
Assess risk and make timely, proportionate threshold decisions.
Collaborate with partner agencies to safeguard children and families.
Oversee child protection, children in need and Early Help contacts and ensure information sharing.

Skills

Risk assessment

Decision making

Leadership

Communication

Multi-agency collaboration

Education

Social Work degree

Master's in Social Work

Job description

Job Title: Practice Manager (Senior Social Worker) - MASH

Salary: £45,624 to £52,038 per annum

Grade: F

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Hours: 37 hours per week

About the department

Thurrock's Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) is the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns relating to children and young people. Bringing together key partner agencies, including Children's Services, Police, Health, Education and Early Help, the MASH provides a coordinated approach to information sharing, risk assessment and decision-making to ensure children and families receive the right support at the right time.

About the role

We are seeking an exceptional, engaging and committed individual to join Thurrock's Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) as Practice Manager. This role is ideally suited to an experienced and qualified Social Worker at Senior Practitioner level or above who is passionate about delivering high-quality safeguarding practice and improving outcomes for children and families.

This is a unique and exciting opportunity to provide practice leadership within a dynamic multi-agency environment, supporting the MASH Team to assess risk, make timely and proportionate threshold decisions, and work collaboratively with partner agencies to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people in Thurrock. As a Signs of Safety local authority, we are committed to strengths-based, relationship-focused practice, and the successful candidate will play a key role in embedding these principles across the service.

The Practice Manager will provide oversight and support in relation to child protection, children in need and Early Help contacts, ensuring robust decision-making, effective information sharing and timely responses for children and families. The role will also be instrumental in supporting the implementation of the Families First agenda, promoting earlier intervention, whole-family working and strong multi-agency collaboration to ensure families receive the right support at the right time.

The post holder will undertake complex risk assessments, provide practice guidance and quality assurance, deputise for the Team Manager where required, and promote compliance with relevant legislation, statutory guidance, local policies and procedures. This is an opportunity to contribute to service development, champion excellent practice and help shape the future of safeguarding and family help services within Thurrock.

Requirements:

- Be registered with Social Work England and hold a social work degree/masters

- Subject to an Enhanced DBS Check

- Experience within a multi-agency/front door team

- Extensive understanding of threshold and intervention

- Knowledge of universal support and Early Help Services

- Be present in the office for a minimum of two days per week

This role offers the chance to make a real difference by championing Signs of Safety practice and supporting the delivery of the Families First agenda, helping families build on their strengths and access the support they need before issues escal.

What we're looking for:

- Significant post-qualifying experience within Children's Social Care, including safeguarding, child protection and Early Help.

- Excellent analytical and decision-making skills, with the ability to assess risk, apply thresholds and make informed recommendations in a fast-paced environment.

- Experience of providing practice leadership, coaching and support to social workers and multi-agency professionals.

- A strong understanding of relevant legislation, statutory guidance and safeguarding procedures, including Working Together to Safeguard Children.

- Experience of working effectively within a multi-agency setting, building positive relationships with partner organisations and promoting effective information sharing.

- A commitment to strengths-based, relationship-focused practice and the principles of Signs of Safety.

- The ability to support and drive service improvement, including the implementation of the Families First agenda and the delivery of high-quality early intervention and family help services.