Senior Social Worker – Child Protection Enquiry Team

Ardent Social Ltd; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 37,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

Ardent Social Ltd in Birmingham is seeking an experienced Senior Social Worker to join the Child Protection Enquiry Team. You will undertake safeguarding enquiries, assess risk and contribute to child-focused decisions across the east of Birmingham.

You will join a team of six Senior Social Workers and other professionals, working a five-day turnaround for Section 47 enquiries, with hybrid working (three days home, two days in the office) and ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• Experienced Senior Social Worker with professional registration.
• Strong risk assessment and decision-making in Section 47 contexts.
• Ability to work at pace and meet timescales.
• Excellent assessment, communication and report-writing skills.
• Experience working with children, families and partner agencies.

Responsibilities

• Undertake timely and proportionate Section 47 enquiries.
• Progress enquiries within a five-day turnaround.
• Assess risk, need and protective factors.
• Make evidence-based safeguarding recommendations.
• Participate in RED strategy discussions.
• Respond to step-ups from Family Help.
• Work with children, families and partner agencies.
• Maintain high-quality recording, analysis and planning.

Skills

Risk assessment

Report writing

Communication

Multi-agency working

Trauma-informed practice

Child protection knowledge

Job description

Senior Social Worker – Child Protection Enquiry Team

• Location
• Job Type

Birmingham

Contract

• Consultant
• Contact
• Reference
• Ashish Pattni
• 02081563358
• 1188

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Social Worker – Child Protection Enquiry Team
Specialism: Children’s Services
Location: Birmingham, UK
Salary: £27.89 PAYE, £37.99 Limited/Umbrella Per Hour
Type: Temporary / Full Time

We are seeking an experienced Senior Social Worker to join a well-established Child Protection Enquiry Team supporting children and families across the east of Birmingham. You will undertake safeguarding enquiries, assess risk and contribute to clear, child-focused decisions for children and families.

You will join a supportive Child Protection Enquiry Team consisting of six Senior Social Workers, one Senior Practitioner and one Family Support Worker. The team works collaboratively to respond to safeguarding concerns and complete timely enquiries.

As a Senior Social Worker, you will undertake Section 47 enquiries and progress them within a five-day turnaround. You will assess risk, need and protective factors and determine whether cases should progress to an Initial Child Protection Conference, step down to Section 17 support or close where no further statutory intervention is required. The role also involves responding to RED strategy discussions, managing step-ups from Family Help and working with children, families and partner agencies to ensure effective safeguarding.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake timely and proportionate Section 47 enquiries.
• Progress enquiries within a five-day turnaround.
• Assess risk, need and protective factors.
• Make evidence-based safeguarding recommendations.
• Participate in RED strategy discussions.
• Respond to step-ups from Family Help.
• Work with children, families and partner agencies.
• Maintain high-quality recording, analysis and planning.
• Participate in the team duty cycle, operating one week in every three.

Perks and Benefits

• Stable and supportive service with a consistent team structure.
• Support from an experienced Team Manager and Senior Practitioner.
• Monthly supervision.
• Reflective practice and professional development opportunities.
• Primarily working across the east of Birmingham.
• Occasional travel outside the patch, although this is rare.
• Hybrid working with three days remote and two days in the office.

Requirements

• Experienced Senior Social Worker with relevant professional registration.
• Confidence in understanding and analyzing risk, particularly in relation to Section 47 thresholds.
• Ability to work at pace and make safeguarding decisions within clear timescales.
• Strong assessment, communication and report-writing skills.
• Ability to work effectively with children, families, professionals and partner agencies.
• Strong understanding of Section 47 enquiries, Section 17 support and Initial Child Protection Conferences.
• Ability to analyze risk, need and protective factors and make clear recommendations.
• Confidence in multi-agency working and contributing to strategy discussions.
• Commitment to child-centered, trauma-informed and relationship-based practice.

Why Birmingham

Birmingham offers a vibrant and diverse working environment with excellent transport links and a wide range of communities and amenities. This role primarily supports children and families across the east of Birmingham.

Working with Ardent Social

At Ardent Social, we are committed to connecting experienced social work professionals with quality opportunities across the UK. We provide a transparent, supportive and professional recruitment experience.