Social Worker

Tripod Partners; England; On-site; Full time

Job summary

A leading local authority in the UK is seeking a qualified Social Worker for their Family Support Team, focused on child protection and family stability. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in managing complex cases and will work autonomously within a supportive team environment, contributing to meaningful child welfare outcomes.

Benefits

Competitive hourly rate up to £35

High-quality reflective supervision

Commitment to continuous professional development

Qualifications

• Significant experience in children's social care, specifically long-term child protection.
• Strong understanding of Public Law Outline (PLO) and care proceedings.
• Ability to work autonomously in high-pressure environments and manage complex caseloads.

Responsibilities

• Manage diverse and complex caseloads involving Child Protection Plans.
• Conduct in-depth assessments and prepare detailed regulatory reports.
• Facilitate multi-agency collaborations and present cases in Child Protection Conferences.

Skills

Assessment

Analytical Skills

Risk Management

Communication

Negotiation

Advocacy

Education

Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration

Job description

Social Worker - Family Support Team

Thurrock Council

Up to £35 per hour

Are you a highly skilled and resilient Social Worker looking for a challenging yet incredibly rewarding role within a dedicated long-term child protection team? Thurrock Council is seeking a committed and experienced individual to join our Family Support Team, where you will play a crucial role in safeguarding children and promoting family stability.

About the Role:

As a Social Worker in our Family Support Team, you will manage a diverse and complex caseload of children subject to Child Protection Plans, Children in Need plans, and Children in Care (CIC) plans. This is a long-term team where you will build sustained relationships with families and lead on significant legal processes, always striving for the best outcomes for children.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage a complex caseload, working with children and families where children are subject to Child Protection Plans, Child in Need plans, and Children in Care (CIC) plans, including those in care proceedings.
• Initiate Public Law Outline (PLO) and Care Proceedings, including the meticulous preparation of Witness Statements and comprehensive Care Plans for court.
• Conduct a range of in-depth assessments, including parenting capacity assessments, sibling assessments, and assessments of potential kinship/connected persons, encompassing Viability Assessments and Special Guardianship Assessments.
• Provide evidence-based analysis of significant harm to inform critical decisions within the court arena, ensuring permanence for children and amplifying the child’s voice throughout the process.
• Undertake Child Protection Enquiries under Section 47 of the Children’s Act of 1989, responding effectively to safeguarding concerns.
• Prepare detailed Child Protection Conference Reports and confidently present cases at Child Protection Conferences.
• Convene and chair Core Group Meetings, facilitating multi-agency collaboration.
• Undertake Core Assessments within the Child in Need Framework, implementing and reviewing Child In Need Plans, including chairing Child in Need meetings.
• Conduct Pre-Birth Assessments under Section 47 of the Children’s Act of 1989 where there are safeguarding concerns for an unborn child.
• Conduct regular home visits for monitoring purposes to promote the welfare of children, adhering to statutory guidelines under relevant plans.
• Conduct home visits, including school visits, to safeguard children, ensuring adherence to statutory guidelines.
• Liaise and work closely with a wide range of partnership agencies to provide comprehensive support to families.
• Complete Court Reports for Private Law Proceedings such as Section 7 and Section 37 Reports as required.
• Complete Child in Care reports in preparation for Child in Care Reviews and Conferences.
• Hold "Stability Meetings" to proactively plan for placements that may be at risk of breakdown.
• Undertake direct work with children and families to build relationships, understand their experiences, and support their development.

About You:

• A qualified Social Worker with current Social Work England registration.
• Significant post-qualifying experience in children's social care, specifically within a long-term child protection or family support setting.
• Demonstrable experience of managing complex caseloads, including those in care proceedings.
• Expert knowledge and practical experience of Public Law Outline (PLO) and care proceedings.
• A comprehensive understanding of relevant legislation, policy, and guidance, including the Children Act 1989, Working Together to Safeguard Children, and relevant case law.
• Exceptional assessment, analytical, and risk management skills, with the ability to provide clear, evidence-based reports.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and advocacy skills, with the ability to engage effectively with children, families, legal professionals, and partner agencies.
• Resilience, empathy, and a child-centred approach, with a commitment to achieving permanence and positive outcomes for children.
• Ability to work autonomously, prioritise effectively, and manage competing demands in a high-pressure environment.
• Possession of a valid UK driving licence and access to a car for business use.

What We Offer:

• A competitive hourly rate of up to £35 per hour.
• The opportunity to work in a stable and supportive long-term team with experienced colleagues.
• Regular, high-quality reflective supervision and management oversight.
• Commitment to your continuous professional development, with access to targeted training opportunities.
• The chance to undertake meaningful and impactful work, making a lasting difference to children and families in Thurrock.