Senior Social Worker - Child Protection

Senior Social Worker - Child Protection

Plymouth City Council

Up to £42 per hour

Plymouth City Council is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Social Worker to join our busy and supportive Child Protection team. This is a vital role managing complex and high-risk cases, contributing significantly to safeguarding the most vulnerable children in the city.

We are looking for a practitioner who can provide expert intervention and demonstrate advanced knowledge of the legal framework surrounding child protection.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

As a Senior Social Worker, you will be expected to:

• Manage a complex caseload of children subject to statutory intervention, demonstrating high-level analytical and risk assessment skills.
• Lead multi-agency strategy discussions and effectively chair complex meetings.
• Prepare robust assessments and court documentation to the highest standard, meeting strict legal deadlines.
• Work collaboratively with legal services, CAFCASS, and partner agencies to achieve positive and timely permanency outcomes for children.
• Provide peer support and mentoring to less experienced colleagues within the team.

Desirable Experience

• ParentAssess Training: Experience or certification as a ParentAssess trained practitioner is highly desirable, enabling you to conduct specialist, high-quality parenting assessments.

Requirements:

• Qualification and Registration: A recognised Social Work qualification and current registration with Social Work England (SWE).
• Local Authority Experience: A minimum of 3 years' permanent experience working directly within a Local Authority Children's Services team.
• Specialist Experience: Extensive and demonstrable experience in Child Protection work, including Section 47 Enquiries, Child Protection Planning, and managing complex Child in Need and Child Protection cases.
• Legal Expertise: Proven, recent experience withCare Proceedings, including writing expert evidence, presenting to court, and implementing complex care plans.