Qualified Childrens Social Worker - Front Door Team
Job Description:
We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Children's Social Worker to join our Front Door Team. This role is crucial in ensuring the safety and well-being of children by conducting initial assessments, handling referrals, and making informed decisions on the next steps for children and families in need of support. You will be the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns, working in a fast-paced environment where timely intervention is essential.
Key Responsibilities:
- Act as the first point of contact for referrals and concerns related to children's welfare and safeguarding.
- Conduct initial risk assessments and gather relevant information from various sources, including families, schools, healthcare professionals, and police.
- Make informed decisions regarding the appropriate level of intervention and support required.
- Work closely with multi-agency partners to ensure a coordinated approach to child protection and welfare.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date case records in accordance with statutory guidelines and local authority policies.
- Participate in strategy discussions, child protection conferences, and multi-agency meetings as required.
- Provide guidance and support to families, ensuring that children's needs are met while prioritising their safety.
- Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, policies, and procedures, including the Children Act 1989 & 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children, and local safeguarding protocols.
Essential Requirements:
- Qualified Social Worker (Degree in Social Work or equivalent).
- Registered with Social Work England.
- Proven experience working within a Front Door/Referral & Assessment Team or similar child protection setting.
- Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation, child protection procedures, and multi-agency working.
- Ability to assess risk effectively and make sound professional judgments under pressure.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with children, families, and professionals.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency in IT systems for case recording and report writing.
Desirable Skills & Experience:
- Experience working within a local authority children's services team.
- Additional training in safeguarding, domestic abuse, or trauma-informed practice.
- Knowledge of Signs of Safety or similar strength-based approaches.
We are looking for a passionate and enthusiastic Social Worker who has the child's voice at the heart of everything they do to join us in our Integrated Front Door in Bedford Borough Council Children's Services.
Our Integrated Front Door is based in Bedford Borough Council and made up of professionals from Children's Services including our Early Help Services and partner agencies. We are developing our team and looking for an experienced social worker to join us in making the most appropriate and informed decisions for children and families in our Borough with the aims to protect vulnerable children and young people by identifying and assessing potential risks, making informed decisions about interventions and support needs, and ensuring their safety and wellbeing through collaboration with partner agencies.
We are a team who have a passion for ensuring that children, young people and families in our community receive a positive and timely service. The work is rich, varied and allows for multi-agency working to tight timelines. We value training opportunities in the Borough and offer all staff the opportunity to engage with Solution focused, MI and Systemic training to achieve the best communication and engagement with families and agencies we work with.
Caritas Recruitment is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.
