Senior Social Worker

The Methodist Church in Britain; Norwich; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible/hybrid working

Free parking

Up to 16 days flexi leave per year

Social Work England registration paid

Advanced training and leadership/advoc

Job summary

Cheshire West and Chester Council is seeking a Senior Social Worker within the Family Help Safeguarding Team to lead a complex caseload for children on Child Protection Plans and Public Law Outline processes. The post involves practice leadership, mentoring colleagues and supporting the Team Manager with operational duties.

You will champion trauma-informed and systemic approaches, contribute to quality assurance, and work across multi-agency partners to embed the Families First Partnership

Qualifications

• Social Work England registration is required.
• Highly experienced social work practitioner with a strong track record.
• Commitment to trauma-informed, relational and systemic practice.

Responsibilities

• Act as lead professional for children and families with the most significant needs, ensuring robust assessment, planning and risk management.
• Manage a small but complex caseload.
• Supervise and mentor newly qualified and less experienced social workers, providing reflective supervision and challenge.
• Contribute to ASYE development as a practice assessor.
• Support the Team Manager with day-to-day operational management, including chairing meetings and team performance.
• Produce high-quality assessments, reports and court work.

Skills

Trauma-informed practice

Relational practice

Systemic practice

Education

Social Work degree

Job description

This Senior Social Worker post sits in the Family Help Safeguarding Team at Cheshire West and Chester Council, working with children on Child Protection Plans and in Public Law Outline processes. The core of the role is leading a small but complex caseload as lead professional for families with the most significant needs, while supervising and mentoring newly qualified and less experienced social workers. It is a practice leadership post that also supports the Team Manager and helps embed the Families First Partnership Programme with multi-agency partners. Social Work England registration is required, and the council pays for it.

What the job involves

• Act as lead professional for children and families with the most significant needs, ensuring robust assessment, planning and risk management
• Manage a small but complex caseload
• Supervise and mentor newly qualified and less experienced social workers, providing reflective supervision and challenge
• Contribute to ASYE development as a practice assessor
• Support the Team Manager with day-to-day operational management, including chairing meetings and team performance
• Support quality assurance and service improvement activities
• Work with children subject to Child Protection Plans and Public Law Outline processes
• Produce high-quality assessments, reports and court work
• Lead the embedding of the Families First Partnership Programme, working across multi-agency partners
• Deliver trauma-informed and systemic interventions
• Model critical analysis, professional curiosity and confident decision-making in complex and high-risk situations
• Support colleagues to develop analytical and recording skills and help shape policy and systems

What’s required

Registration & licences

• Social Work England registration

Experience

• Highly experienced social work practitioner

Skills & knowledge

• Motivated, with a commitment to high-quality practice
• Trauma-informed, relational and systemic practice

What’s offered

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Free parking at all office locations
• Competitive salary and reward package
• Up to 16 days' flexi leave per year, in addition to annual leave
• Social Work England registration paid for by the council
• High-quality supervision and opportunities to lead practice
• Advanced training, leadership and development opportunities
• Clear progression pathways into advanced and management roles