Job Description:

CSW - Senior Social Worker / Advanced Practitioner - 0-25 Disabilities (Grade J) - Social Care Qualified Job Purpose

To work within a Resilience Framework, providing a comprehensive, effective and integrated social work service to children and families, particularly in complex and high-risk situations. The post holder will ensure that services are delivered in a timely manner and in accordance with statutory legislation, safeguarding requirements, departmental policies and the council’s statutory obligations.

The post holder will demonstrate advanced social work practice, professional autonomy and leadership, supporting positive outcomes for children and families while promoting safeguarding, permanence and the opportunity for every child to reach their full potential.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a complex caseload of children and families, undertaking assessments, planning and interventions to safeguard children and promote their welfare.
• Assess, manage and respond to high levels of risk, ensuring appropriate safeguarding measures are implemented and reviewed.
• Develop, implement and evaluate child protection, care planning and permanence arrangements in line with statutory requirements.
• Demonstrate expert social work practice in complex situations, exercising sound professional judgement and making evidence-based decisions.
• Provide guidance, support, supervision and mentoring to less experienced social workers to promote high standards of practice.
• Take a lead role in a specialist area of practice, as directed by departmental policies and procedures.
• Deputise for the line manager when required or undertake delegated management responsibilities as authorised by the designated Head of Service.
• Work collaboratively with children, families, carers and multi-agency professionals to achieve positive outcomes.
• Ensure that children’s voices, wishes and feelings are heard and considered throughout assessment, planning and decision-making processes.
• Maintain accurate, timely and comprehensive case records, reports and assessments in accordance with council policies and statutory requirements.
• Promote strengths-based and resilience-focused practice, empowering families and supporting children to achieve their full potential.
• Identify and respond to emerging safeguarding concerns, escalating risks appropriately and ensuring that interventions are proportionate and effective.
• Contribute to service development, quality assurance and the continuous improvement of social work practice.

Essential Requirements

• Recognised social work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
• Substantial post-qualifying experience within a statutory Children’s Social Care setting.
• Extensive experience managing complex cases involving safeguarding, child protection and permanence planning.
• Demonstrable ability to assess and manage high levels of risk and make sound professional decisions.
• Strong knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory guidance, safeguarding procedures and local authority policies.
• Experience supporting, mentoring and developing less experienced social workers.
• Excellent communication, assessment, report-writing and multi-agency working skills.
• Ability to work autonomously, prioritise competing demands and manage a complex caseload effectively.
• Commitment to promoting children’s welfare, participation, equality and positive outcomes.