Senior Social Worker

Hillingdon Council; London Borough of Hillingdon; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Hillingdon Council is seeking a Senior Practitioner for their Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). This role involves leading assessments to safeguard children and families. With a focus on collaboration and professional growth, applicants should have a strong social work background and a commitment to child welfare.

Benefits

Flexible Working Hours

Generous Holiday Entitlement

Local Government Pension Scheme

Mental Health Support and Counselling Services

Travel Support

Qualifications

• Must have a Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
• At least 12 months' postgraduate experience is required.
• Experience in a MASH team is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and lead assessments for children and families.
• Collaborate with partner agencies for a coordinated safeguarding approach.
• Provide guidance and support to MASH team members.

Skills

Assessment skills

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Decision-making

Education

Social Work qualification

Job description

About the role

Are you an experienced and dedicated Senior Social Worker in the field of children's services? Do you have a passion for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!

We are currently seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Practitioner to join our Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) team based within the Stronger Families Hub. As a Senior Practitioner, you will play a crucial role in coordinating and leading the assessment and intervention process for children and families at risk of harm and in need of support.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work with a team of Senior practitioners & triage officers in the MASH, providing guidance, support, and supervision to ensure effective service delivery.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments of children and families referred to the MASH, gathering and analysing relevant information to determine the level of risk and appropriate intervention.
• Collaborate with partner agencies, such as social services, police, health professionals, and education providers, to gather and share information, ensuring a coordinated approach to safeguarding.
• Make informed decisions regarding the need for immediate protection and intervention, ensuring the safety and well-being of children at all times.
• Provide expert advice and consultation to colleagues and partner agencies on complex cases, ensuring best practice and adherence to statutory requirements.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of assessments, interventions, and case progress, ensuring compliance with data protection and confidentiality policies.

• Support the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and training programs to enhance the effectiveness of the MASH team and promote continuous improvement.
  
  

The requirements of the role include:

• A recognised social work qualification and registration with the relevant professional body.
• Extensive experience working within children's services, with a focus on safeguarding and child protection.
• Sound knowledge of relevant legislation, threshold decisions, policies, and procedures related to child protection and safeguarding.
• Excellent assessment and analytical skills, with the ability to make informed decisions in complex and challenging situations.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with colleagues, partner agencies, and families.
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise workload, ensuring timely and effective service delivery.
• Commitment to continuous professional development and keeping up-to-date with current research and best practice in the field.

You must have:

• A Social Work qualification.
• At least 12 months' postgraduate experience and completed your ASYE, where applicable.
• Be able to evidence a commitment to your own development since qualification.
• Previous experience working in a MASH team.
  

In addition you must be registered with Social Work England.

Why Choose Us?

Impactful Work: Every day, our social workers transform lives by providing essential support and resources to those in need.
Professional Growth: We offer continuous training and development opportunities to help you grow in your career.
Supportive Environment: Join a team that values collaboration, empathy, and mutual respect.
Community Focused: Be a part of initiatives that strengthen and uplift our community.

If you are ready to make a positive impact, apply now. Together, we can build a stronger, more compassionate community.

You will embark on a rewarding career in Children Social Care with us, where excellence is not just a goal but a proven standard. We are proud to announce that our Children's Services have recently received an Outstanding rating from OFSTED, a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care and support for children and families.

About us

We value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us. We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation. That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work-life balance, financial wellbeing, health, and professional development.

Here’s a comprehensive overview of the fantastic benefits we provide:

• Flexible Working Hours – We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
• 36 Hour Week – Enjoy a standard 36-hour workweek for all full time staff.
• Generous Holiday Entitlement – increasing with length of service (for non-casual roles).
• Hillingdon Sports & Leisure – Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes – option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
• Cycle to Work – Eco-friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
• Local Government Pension Scheme – access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
• Vivup Benefits – Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Vivup Benefits.
• Mental Health Support and Counselling Services – Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues. Access free 24-hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
• Travel Support – Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.
  

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly.

The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.

Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation's success.

Recruitment Information

Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme. We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a ‘per application’ basis.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject tothe following pre-employment screening:

• Enhanced DBS Check
• Qualifications Check
• Professional Registration Check
• 5 years of Referencing

Please note:Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.

It may be necessary due to a high volume of applications to close this role early. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.