Social Worker Senior Practitioner – Viability and Assessment Team

Sanctuary Personnel; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 54,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Hourly pay

Part-time / Full-time

Professional development

Varied work environment

Team support

Job summary

Sanctuary Personnel is seeking a Social Worker Senior Practitioner for the Viability and Assessment Team in Birmingham. The role centres on high-quality assessments of children and families, with a strong emphasis on safeguarding decisions, parenting capacity, and risk management.

The post offers flexible Part Time / Full Time hours, ongoing employment, and opportunities for professional development within a supportive team.

Qualifications

• Experience in child protection and social care.
• Ability to assess family needs and risks.
• Strong analytical and professional judgment.

Responsibilities

• Undertake comprehensive and analytical assessments of children and families.
• Assess parenting capacity, family relationships, strengths, vulnerabilities, and potential safeguarding risks.
• Carry out viability assessments of family members and connected persons where required.
• Contribute to permanence planning and decisions regarding children’s care arrangements.
• Identify children at risk of significant harm and take appropriate safeguarding action.
• Ensure children’s wishes, feelings, and lived experiences are central to assessments and decision-making.
• Engage in direct work with children, parents, carers, and family members to understand their circumstances and needs.
• Gather and analyse information from multiple sources to inform professional recommendations.
• Work collaboratively with parents, wider family networks, and professionals to identify strengths and potential support.
• Prepare high-quality assessments, reports, and recommendations for meetings, panels, reviews, and court proceedings.
• Participate in strategy discussions, child protection conferences, legal planning meetings, and other professional forums as required.
• Contribute to care proceedings and provide professional evidence to court where necessary.
• Work closely with colleagues across children’s social care, fostering, adoption, family support, and safeguarding services.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive case records in accordance with organisational requirements.
• Manage a complex caseload effectively and ensure statutory timescales are met.
• Identify and elevate safeguarding concerns appropriately.
• Apply relevant legislation, statutory guidance, local procedures, and Social Work England professional standards.
• Provide professional advice, guidance, and support to social workers and other colleagues.
• Support less experienced practitioners through mentoring, coaching, case consultation, and reflective practice.
• Contribute to team meetings, service development, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Participate in regular supervision and maintain a programme of continuing professional development.
• Promote equality, diversity, inclusion, and anti-discriminatory practice.

Job description

Social Worker Senior Practitioner - Viability and Assessment Team

Job Title: Social Worker Senior Practitioner - Viability and Assessment Team
Specialism: Social Worker - Children
Location: Birmingham, UK
Salary: £33.30 per hour
Type: Part Time / Full Time (Ongoing)

Social Worker Senior Practitioner - Viability and Assessment Team within Social Worker - Children in Birmingham UK earning £33.30 hourly. This opportunity is ongoing and can be either part time or full time. Birmingham Children’s Trust is thrilled to welcome an experienced Social Worker Senior Practitioner to its Viability and Assessment Team.

This pivotal role focuses on conducting high-quality assessments for children and families, centering on family circumstances, parenting capacity, relationships, and risk factors. You will play a crucial part in making decisions about children’s safety, permanence, and care arrangements, with the possibility of assessing family members and connected persons when necessary.

As a Senior Practitioner, you will skillfully manage a challenging caseload, offer professional guidance to colleagues, and help uplift social work practices across the service. Bring your analytical skills, professional judgment, and unwavering commitment to generate positive child outcomes in a dynamic environment.

Perks and benefits

• Hourly Pay: Enjoy the flexibility of hourly pay, which offers greater control over your work schedule, ensuring you can balance professional and personal commitments effectively.
• Part Time / Full Time: Whether you prefer part-time or full-time work, we’re adaptable to fit your lifestyle needs, making this role an ideal choice for maintaining work-life harmony.
• Professional Development: Continue to grow in your career with access to a wealth of learning resources and professional development opportunities.
• Varied Work Environment: Each day brings new challenges and learning opportunities, providing a stimulating and rewarding work atmosphere.
• Team Support: Be part of a dedicated and supportive team, benefiting from collective expertise and collaboration.

What you will do

• Undertake comprehensive and analytical assessments of children and families.
• Assess parenting capacity, family relationships, strengths, vulnerabilities, and potential safeguarding risks.
• Carry out viability assessments of family members and connected persons where required.
• Contribute to permanence planning and decisions regarding children’s care arrangements.
• Identify children at risk of significant harm and take appropriate safeguarding action.
• Ensure children’s wishes, feelings, and lived experiences are central to assessments and decision-making.
• Engage in direct work with children, parents, carers, and family members to understand their circumstances and needs.
• Gather and analyse information from multiple sources to inform professional recommendations.
• Work collaboratively with parents, wider family networks, and professionals to identify strengths and potential support.
• Prepare high-quality assessments, reports, and recommendations for meetings, panels, reviews, and court proceedings.
• Participate in strategy discussions, child protection conferences, legal planning meetings, and other professional forums as required.
• Contribute to care proceedings and provide professional evidence to court where necessary.
• Work closely with colleagues across children’s social care, fostering, adoption, family support, and safeguarding services.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive case records in accordance with organisational requirements.
• Manage a complex caseload effectively and ensure statutory timescales are met.
• Identify and elevate safeguarding concerns appropriately.
• Apply relevant legislation, statutory guidance, local procedures, and Social Work England professional standards.
• Provide professional advice, guidance, and support to social workers and other colleagues.
• Support less experienced practitioners through mentoring, coaching, case consultation, and reflective practice.
• Contribute to team meetings, service development, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Participate in regular supervision and maintain a programme of continuing professional development.
• Promote equality, diversity, inclusion, and anti-discriminatory practice.

Why Birmingham

Birmingham is a vibrant city teeming with culture, innovation, and community spirit, making it a fantastic place to live and work. With its rich history, diverse population, thriving social scene, and excellent transport links, Birmingham offers a welcoming environment for professionals looking to make a meaningful difference in children’s lives. Join a city that combines career opportunity with an outstanding quality of life.