Senior Social Worker: Contextual Safeguarding & Youth Risk

Sheffield City Council HQ; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Sheffield City Council is seeking an experienced Senior Social Worker for the Risk Outside the Home (ROTH) Team to support children and young people affected by exploitation and extra-familial harm. The role focuses on contextual safeguarding, trauma-informed practice and strong collaboration with partners.

You will manage complex statutory cases, deliver direct work, and drive high-quality assessments and care planning.

Qualifications

• Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration.
• Relevant post-qualifying experience in Children\'s Social Care.
• Experience working with adolescents affected by exploitation, missing episodes, contextual safeguarding concerns or serious youth violence.
• Strong risk assessment and analytical skills.
• Excellent relationship-building and engagement skills.
• Sound knowledge of statutory safeguarding responsibilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to anti-oppressive and inclusive practice.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex statutory cases involving exploitation, serious youth violence, missing episodes, online harm and extra-familial risk.
• Complete high-quality assessments that analyse family strengths, contextual risks, peer relationships, locations and online environments.
• Develop and progress Child in Need, Child Protection and Care Planning interventions.
• Deliver direct work with children, young people and families using relationship-based and trauma-informed approaches.
• Work collaboratively with police, education, health, youth justice and community partners.
• Contribute to contextual mapping, disruption activity and safety planning.
• Ensure children and young people are actively involved in assessment, planning and decision-making.
• Chair or contribute to multi-agency meetings where appropriate.
• Maintain clear, analytical and timely recording and reporting.
• Support reflective discussion and shared learning within the team.

Skills

Risk assessment

Analytical skills

Relationship-building

Engagement skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Anti-oppressive practice

Inclusive practice

Education

Qualified Social Worker

Social Work England registration

Job description

Sheffield City Council is seeking an experienced Senior Social Worker for the Risk Outside the Home (ROTH) Team to support children and young people affected by exploitation and extra-familial harm. The role focuses on contextual safeguarding, trauma-informed practice and strong collaboration with partners.

You will manage complex statutory cases, deliver direct work, and drive high-quality assessments and care planning.