PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WORKER - Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)

Cyngor Caerdydd/Cardiff Council; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market supplement £5,000

Job summary

Cardiff Council's MASH team is recruiting two Principal Social Workers on a full-time basis to lead and shape safeguarding practice and performance. You will develop risk assessment and management skills while supporting the Team Manager and ensuring timely progression to services.

You will oversee a sub-team, lead staff development and supervision, and manage high-risk Strategy Meetings on a rotation basis, linking with partner agencies to strengthen practice.

Qualifications

• HCPC/Social Care Wales registration (or eligible).
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary safeguarding teams.
• Strong risk assessment and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a sub-team and oversee staff development and supervision.
• Manage high-risk Strategy Meetings on a rotation basis.
• Support the Team Manager with referrals, allocations and assessments.
• Collaborate with MASH partner agencies to sustain safeguarding practice.

Skills

Leadership

Risk assessment

Staff supervision

Decision making under pressure

Education

Social Care Wales registration

Social Work qualification

Job description

With effect from 1st April 2026, this role attracts a market supplement of £5,000 (full time equivalent)

This payment is reviewed on a 12 monthly basis.

Our Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub, or ‘MASH’, is the first point of contact for all new contacts about children, young people and their families. We help vulnerable children who may benefit from early help, community-based services as well as children in need of social work support, protection and care.

The MASH is an innovative way of strengthening local safeguarding practice to enable local safeguarding partners to share information and work together. We work closely with a wide range of professionals from other statutory agencies, voluntary services as well as; family members, members of the public and children and young people themselves.

About the job

MASH are looking to recruit two Principal Social Workers on a full-time basis.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead and shape practice and performance within the Team, whilst developing your risk assessment and management skills. You will support the Team Manager and the Team in delivering the Signs of Safety approach and a high quality service.

What We Are Looking For From You

Under the guidance of the Team Manager, you will be responsible for your own small sub-Team and will take the lead on staff development and supervision and be responsible for high-risk Strategy Meetings, on a rotation basis with the other sub-Team. You will further support the Team Manager with “Ragging” referrals, allocations and authorising Social Worker’s assessments.

You will be expected to work closely with the MASH Partner Agencies and assist the Team Manager in promoting professional, positive and meaningful relationships with them. You will be expected to partake in the development of the Service and partake in Task Force Groups.

MASH is a fast-moving, fast-paced Team that requires experience and confidence in decision making, risk assessment and management and an ability to work on your own initiative under extreme pressures and within timescales, to ensure children and young people are safeguarded and there is no delay in progression to the appropriate statutory or non-statutory services.

Children's Services promotes flexible working for its staff and all staff are provided with equipment to agile work. As a Principal Social Worker, however, you will be expected to be office based on a rota basis with your counter-part to support and assist the Team Manager.

Additional information

With effect from the 1st April 2026 this post attracts a market supplement of £5000 per annum full time equivalent.

This payment is reviewed on a 12 monthly basis.

This post has a requirement for registration with Social Care Wales.

This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced checks.

Safeguarding and Child Protection are key priorities for the Council. We aim to support children and vulnerable adults to ensure they are as safe as they can possibly be. Our services are committed to ensuring the safety and protection of all children and vulnerable adults, and will take action to safeguard their well-being, and acknowledge that children and vulnerable adults have a right to protection. This is supported in the general ethos of the Council.

This vacancy is suitable for post share.

We welcome applications in both English and Welsh. Applications received in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than English applications.

Job Category Social Services - Childrens

Working Pattern/Contract Type Full Time Permanent