Social Worker (Starting Point)

Derbyshire County Council; Matlock; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Derbyshire County Council is seeking staff for Starting Point, an office-based service that triages and screens referrals for Early Help and safeguarding. The role involves supporting staff, providing oversight, and making threshold decisions on incoming contacts, with training and ongoing professional development offered.

There is no direct face-to-face contact with children or families in this post, but the role requires DBS screening and alignment with safeguarding standards.

Responsibilities

• Screening domestic abuse incidents and contacts relating to unborn children; determining whether these require referral to Starting Point; speaking with families and professionals by telephone where required; completing requests for information.

Job description

The advertised post is within Starting Point, an office-based service responsible for triaging and screening referrals for children across Early Help, safeguarding and specialist services. The role does not currently involve direct face-to-face contact with children, families or members of the public. However, continuing professional development opportunities are being progressed to support practice in this area and ensure alignment with Social Work England standards.

Our teams are responsible for gathering information and triaging work in accordance with Derbyshire's Stronger Families Safer Children model and the Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children's Board Threshold document.

Team managers and social workers undertake the initial screening of incoming referrals. You will support staff and provide oversight of completed work, while making threshold decisions on incoming contacts. Responsibilities will include responding to the professional advice and consultation line; screening domestic abuse incidents and contacts relating to unborn children; determining whether these require referral to Starting Point; speaking with families and professionals by telephone where required; and completing requests for information.

You will be expected to undertake relevant training and continuing professional development to support the requirements of the role.

Provisional Interview Date: Week commencing 09 November 2026

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Due to this post having access to children and/or vulnerable adults, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided. Click here to see our policy on criminal background checks.

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We welcome applications from individuals who share our values – being Collaborative, Innovative, Empowered and Accountable. These values describe who we are and what we stand for as a council. They help shape our culture, encourage consistent behaviour and guide how we work together to make a positive difference for both our employees and the residents we serve.