Principal Social Worker (Deputy Team Manager)

Cardiff County Council; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Cardiff is seeking a Principal Social Worker to lead a team while managing complex cases. The role involves supervising staff, conducting assessments, and ensuring quality assurance of care plans within a supportive team environment. Candidates must have relevant qualifications and experience in social work, with strong supervisory skills and a commitment to child welfare. The position offers flexibility with hybrid working options and a supportive work culture.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Flexible working culture

Access to Local Government Pension Scheme

Hybrid working options

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a supervisory role within social work.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding practices and child welfare.
• Ability to manage complex caseloads effectively.

Responsibilities

• Supervise social work assistants and provide regular oversight.
• Conduct monthly supervision and chair strategy meetings.
• Manage complex cases as needed.

Skills

Supervisory skills

Experience in social work

Ability to conduct assessments

Knowledge of child protection

Education

Qualified Social Worker

Post-qualifying Social Work Award

Job description

About The Service

Cardiff Council are looking for a Principal Social Worker to work predominantly in a supervisory role, alongside case management of a small complex caseload, within one of our Locality Teams. The successful candidate would be supported by their Team Manager and the Operational Manager. They would work within a team of social workers, social work assistants and resource assistants (additional administrative support).

About the job

As the Principal Social Worker you will have the opportunity to develop the practice of others within the team through joint working and supervision whilst also leading by example as case-holder for those children with more complex needs who require the expertise of an experienced and skilled practitioner.

Benefits offered

Cardiff is frequently found at the top of lists of best cities in the UK to live in so come join us and see what we can offer.

• A generous annual leave entitlement starting at days per year to a maximum of days per year after years, with the option to purchase additional annual leave to a maximum of days.
• Our working culture is flexible, with a flexi scheme allowing you to work to a schedule that suits you
• Hybrid working – supporting you to flexibly deliver your role whether on visits, from an office or your home
• Access to theCardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Pension Fundwhich is part of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), offering a reputable, secure and flexible pension plan for peace of mind.

This is just some of what Cardiff has to offer, take a look at our Social Work website for more information about all our benefits and hear from some of our social workers, talking about why cardiff is the place to be.

Cardiff Safeguarding and Children looked after teams are now based in localities across the city at St Mellons in the East, Fairwater in the North and Cardiff Bay in the South enabling staff to be based within the communities that they serve. Within the team's geographical area you will support children and young people through robust assessment, outcome focused planning and effective intervention to support them in achieving positive outcomes within their families and communities. Working within a restorative practice approach, you will work in partnership with families and multi-agency colleagues in intervening to address both the presenting concerns and underlying difficulties.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the service which puts the individual at the heart of our work. The teams work from a strengths-based (Signs of Safety) approach to meet the needs of young people and their families.

What We Are Looking For From You

The successful candidate will be required to supervise a pod of social work assistants and lesser experienced social work staff.

Cardiff Council is seeking an individual able to :

• support staff, ensuring the focus of a supportive, positive environment is nurtured within the team.
• will be responsible for conducting monthly supervision, chairing strategy meetings and attending joint visits.
• will be expected to provide regular oversight of the Young People’s care plans through robust quality assurance of the Social Work Assistants work and attendance at relevant meetings such as Child Looked After Reviews.

Whilst the role is predominately non-caseholding, where concerns elevate in respect of Young People allocated to one of your supervisees you will be expected to take on allocation until risks have de-escalated to enable relocation to the Social Work Assistant or NQSW.