Social Worker - Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)

EMEA3 Recruitment; Horsham; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

West Sussex County Council is seeking a Social Worker for the MASH within the Integrated Front Door in West Sussex, based at County Hall North, Horsham. You will manage a high volume of safeguarding inquiries, apply safeguarding knowledge, and contribute to strategy meetings with police when needed.

The role requires post-qualification experience, strong communication, and the ability to work in a fast-paced safeguarding environment with a child-focused approach. A driving licence is desirable.

Qualifications

• Ability to analyse and interpret complex information and data, prioritise needs and formulate plans for intervention.
• Ability to work proactively in a team to make accurate assessments and negotiate effective outcomes.
• Experience of managing levels of risk within a caseload of complex cases.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with parents, carers, young people and professionals.
• Experience of effective partnership working and forming relationships with colleagues and partner agencies.

Responsibilities

• Manage a high volume of short-term safeguarding enquiries in a fast-paced environment.
• Support the Strategy Desk, preparing for strategy meetings with managers and police.
• Triage police SIGNs with MASH Officers and determine if further action is needed by Children's Services.
• Maintain child-focused practice while prioritising competing demands and risks.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

Risk management

Communication

Partnership working

Driving licence

Post-qualifying training

Child-focused practice

Education

Social Work qualification

Post-qualifying training

Job description

About the Role

Salary: £46,324 - £54,830 per annum (includes market rate supplements)
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full time - 37 hour per week
Location: Based at County Hall North, Horsham

Within West Sussex, the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) forms part of the Integrated Front Door (IFD), bringing together a wide range of information, expertise and partner agencies to support timely decision-making about the right level of help for children and families.

The MASH is an extremely fast-paced and continually evolving service, where you will manage a high volume of short-term safeguarding enquiries. As a Social Worker you will continually review threshold as information emerges, consider presenting concerns alongside relevant history, identify strengths and protective factors, analyse risk and need, and produce clear, analytical and well-reasoned recommendations about the most appropriate next steps. You will apply your knowledge of social work theory, safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance and local thresholds to inform your analysis, professional judgement and recommendations.

Another aspect of the role relates to the Strategy Desk, including supporting the preparation for strategy meetings, working alongside managers and police where there are concerns about significant harm. This will require you to apply your understanding of safeguarding legislation and Section 47 enquiries.

The role also includes triage of police reports (SIGNs) alongside MASH Police Officers, helping to determine whether information within the SIGNs requires further consideration by Children's Services. This is an important, fast-moving function requiring you to identify key information, recognise potential risk and make timely recommendations.

Our ideal candidate will have MASH or assessment experience and able to build positive professional relationships, prioritise competing demands, communicate clearly and respectfully challenge when appropriate. We are looking for emotionally intelligent, organised and resilient social workers who can work effectively in a demanding safeguarding environment with the ability to remain child focused.

How We Support You

We provide regular reflective supervision and peer learning opportunities alongside specialist roles within the team to focus on the most vulnerable children. As a Social Worker, you’ll have a minimum of 5 CPD and training days per year with access to excellent learning and development provisions such as Research in Practice and Community Care Inform, Social Work England fees paid and annual leave up to 29 days, as well as the option to buy up to 3 additional days. Additional benefits include:

As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance and are rewarded for the work they do. For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee, please visit Rewards and Benefits page.

Experience & Skills

Some of the key skills, experience and qualifications required:

• Able to analyse and interpret complex information and data, prioritise needs and
  formulate plans for intervention and service provision.
• Able to work proactively as a member of the team to make accurate assessments
  of needs and negotiate and implement effective outcomes.
• Experience of managing levels of risk within a caseload of complex cases.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage with parents, carers, young people and professionals and partner agencies for an effective service.
• Experience of effective partnership working and forming effective working relationships with individuals and colleagues, focusing on the needs and handling conflict such as professionally challenging decisions through being child focused.
• A recognised Social Work qualification and relevant professional registration body.
• Completion of relevant post qualifying training.
• Evidence of at least one year's experience post qualification.
• A sound understanding of the relevant safeguarding legislation, statutory requirements and social work practice.
• Valid, full driving licence.

About Us

The Integrated Front Door (IFD) brings together Children's Social Care, Early Help and a multi-disciplinary team to provide an effective way to manage referrals in West Sussex. As the first point of contact with children and families, the IFD can influence their entire journeys. As a fast-moving service everyone can make a difference, and we build strong relationships with a wide range of partner agencies including police, health and housing professionals who are co-located and working together to ensure the best outcomes for children, young people and families.

You will be joining our service at an exciting time of recent change, bringing an opportunity to influence our ways of working, utilising and developing your skills in an evolving team.

For further information about us and about working in Children's Social Care at West Sussex County Council, please visit Careers in children's social work in West Sussex.

Further Information

The reference number for this role is CAFHE06521.

For an informal conversation or for further information regarding the role, please contact Hafiza Qureshi at [e-mail].

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to Social Work England registration, an enhanced DBS check, 5 years referencing and a health check.

Equity, inclusion and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver. More information can be found on our application help page.