Senior SW Childrens

We Do Social Work; Preston; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

We Do Social Work in Preston is seeking a Senior Social Worker to join the Family Safeguarding Team. You will undertake complex assessments and develop safeguarding plans to promote children’s safety and long-term outcomes for families in Preston.

The role emphasises child-centred practice, collaboration with schools, health professionals and police, and leadership to support less experienced staff while ensuring safeguarding procedures are followed.

Qualifications

• Qualified social worker with BA/MA or DipSW.
• Registered with Social Work England.
• Experience in statutory children’s care.
• Knowledge of child protection procedures and safeguarding.
• Experience conducting assessments and safeguarding plans.
• Ability to manage complex cases and meet deadlines.
• Experience working with multi-agency professionals.

Responsibilities

• Manage a complex caseload of children and families.
• Undertake comprehensive assessments of needs and risks.
• Develop and review child protection and child-in-need plans.
• Ensure children's voices are central to decisions.
• Work with parents, schools, health, police and other agencies.
• Prepare reports for conferences, core groups and courts.
• Maintain confidential case records.
• Provide supervision and support to colleagues.
• Promote family-led, strengths-based interventions.

Skills

Assessment skills

Analytical thinking

Decision making

Written communication

Verbal communication

Collaboration

Education

Social Work degree (BA/MA or DipSW)

Job description

Senior Social Worker – Children’s Services

Department:Family Safeguarding Preston
Location:CSC, Ripon Street, Preston, PR1 7LY
Job Title:Senior Social Worker – Children’s Services

Job Purpose

To provide high-quality social work services to children, young people and their families within the Family Safeguarding Team in Preston. The Senior Social Worker will undertake complex assessments, develop effective safeguarding plans and work collaboratively with families and partner agencies to promote children’s safety, welfare and long-term outcomes.

The postholder will support children and families experiencing difficulties, ensuring that practice is child-centred, strengths-based and focused on achieving sustainable positive change.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a complex caseload of children and families requiring support and safeguarding intervention.
• Undertake comprehensive assessments of children’s needs, risks and family circumstances.
• Develop, implement and review child protection plans, child-in-need plans and other safeguarding interventions as appropriate.
• Ensure children’s voices, wishes and feelings are central to all assessments, decisions and care planning.
• Work in partnership with parents, carers, schools, health professionals, police and other relevant agencies.
• Apply relevant legislation, statutory guidance, local policies and safeguarding procedures.
• Identify and respond promptly to concerns relating to child abuse, neglect, exploitation and other forms of harm.
• Prepare high-quality reports for child protection conferences, core groups, reviews and court proceedings.
• Maintain accurate, timely and confidential case records in accordance with organisational requirements.
• Participate in supervision, case discussions, multi-agency meetings and professional development activities.
• Provide guidance and support to less experienced social workers and other team members where appropriate.
• Promote family-led solutions and strengths-based interventions that help families make lasting changes.
• Ensure all decisions and interventions are proportionate, evidence-based and focused on children’s best interests.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• A recognised social work qualification, such as a BA or MA in Social Work, DipSW or equivalent.
• Registration with Social Work England.
• Substantial experience working with children and families within a statutory children’s social care setting.
• Knowledge of child protection procedures, safeguarding legislation and statutory social work practice.
• Experience undertaking assessments, managing risk and developing effective safeguarding plans.
• Ability to manage complex cases, prioritise competing demands and meet statutory deadlines.
• Experience working collaboratively with multi-agency professionals and family networks.
• Strong written communication, report-writing and verbal communication skills.

Essential Skills and Competencies

• Excellent assessment, analytical and decision‑making skills.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding