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The Role
As a Consultant Social Worker within the Family Safeguarding Teams, you will:
- Support children and families facing challenges such as complex neglect, sexual harm, physical harm, risks outside the home (including child exploitation), and parental learning difficulties.
- Conduct direct work with children and young people to capture their voices and understand their experiences.
- Engage with parents and the wider family network, utilizing Family Group Conferencing to identify strengths, address problems, and support behavioral change.
- Receive regular and reflective group and personal supervision.
What Somerset are looking for
They're seeking experienced and dedicated social workers who:
- Hold a Social Work England registration and have a minimum of three years post-qualification experience in Safeguarding Social Work.
- Have experience managing court work/PLO, adoption work, and are qualified to write Child Permanence Reports (CPRs).
- Are passionate about strengths-based practice and can build meaningful relationships to support positive outcomes for children and families.
- Are adaptable, innovative, and skilled in leadership within social work.
- Are proficient in IT and capable of using or learning LiquidLogic.
- Hold a full driving license and have access to their own vehicle for travel within Somerset.
What Somerset offer
- A supportive, rewarding learning environment with a friendly and passionate team.
- Embedded Motivational Interviewing to support families in achieving sustainable change alongside multi-agency partners.
- Encouragement to attend CPD sessions and access to training opportunities.
- Hybrid working model - flexible working between home and our office in Shepton Mallet (minimum of three days per week in the office).
Key Responsibilities
- Act as the lead professional on complex cases and provide expert statutory advice.
- Undertake advanced assessments, including court reports and CPRs, ensuring a detailed, outcome-focused analysis.
- Represent the service in legal proceedings.
- Operate with professional independence, demonstrating expertise through CPD and post-qualification achievements.
- Manage a complex caseload, making informed decisions and maintaining high professional standards.
- Chair strategy discussions and key meetings to review and refine care plans.
- Model and facilitate reflective practice to enhance team learning and development.
- Contribute to the service's Key Performance Indicators and ongoing improvement initiatives.
- Maintain a commitment to quality standards and continuous professional development.
If you are an experienced social worker looking for a rewarding locum opportunity in a supportive and forward-thinking team, we would love to hear from you!
Apply today to make a difference in the lives of children and families in Somerset.
