Job Title: Social Worker - Children's First Response Team
Employer: Leicestershire County Council
Rate of Pay: £38 per hour
Are you a highly motivated and resilient Social Worker with a passion for frontline safeguarding and early intervention? Leicestershire County Council is seeking an enthusiastic Social Worker to join our critical Children's First Response Team!
At Leicestershire County Council, we are dedicated to protecting children and ensuring their safety and well-being from the very first point of contact. Our Children's First Response Team acts as the initial "front door" to Children's Social Care, responding swiftly to all new referrals and concerns to assess risk, identify needs, and ensure appropriate actions are taken without delay.
The Role
As a Social Worker in the Children's First Response Team, you will manage a dynamic and fast-paced caseload, dealing with a diverse range of new concerns regarding children and families. Your key responsibilities will include:
* Acting as the first point of contact for new referrals, undertaking initial screenings and gathering essential information.
* Conducting urgent assessments and enquiries, including Section 47 Child Protection Enquiries, to determine immediate risk and need.
* Completing robust risk assessments and safety planning with families and relevant agencies to ensure children's immediate protection.
* Working collaboratively and dynamically with multi-agency partners, including the police, health services, education, and early help providers, often within a Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) model.
* Making critical decisions and recommendations regarding the most appropriate pathway for children and families, whether that's escalating to a longer-term team, providing targeted support under a Child in Need plan, or signposting to universal services.
* Maintaining accurate, analytical, and timely electronic records in compliance with statutory requirements and Leicestershire County Council policies.
* Working effectively under pressure and adhering to strict statutory timescales in a high-volume environment.
About You
We are looking for a committed and skilled Social Worker with:
* A recognised Social Work qualification.
* Current registration with Social Work England.
* Demonstrable experience working in a frontline, duty, or assessment team within children's social care.
* A strong and confident understanding of relevant legislation, including the Children Act 1989 and Working Together to Safeguard Children.
* Exceptional assessment, risk analysis, decision-making, and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport quickly and work effectively in crisis situations.
* The ability to manage a demanding caseload efficiently and prioritise tasks under pressure.
* A profound commitment to safeguarding children and promoting their welfare.
* A full UK driving licence and access to a car for business use (or ability to travel efficiently across the county).
Why Leicestershire County Council?
Leicestershire County Council is dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for our children and families. We foster a supportive culture where our social workers are valued, invested in, and empowered to deliver high-quality, effective interventions. Join us in making a crucial difference at the very start of a child's social care journey.
Apply Now
If you are a resilient and skilled Social Worker ready for your next challenging and rewarding role, we encourage you to apply!
For an informal discussion about this exciting opportunity, please contact Fahmida Ahmed on 07441 927663 or .
To apply, please submit your comprehensive CV outlining your suitability for the role .
Randstad Care acts as an employment business when supplying temporary staff and as an employment agency when introducing candidates for permanent employment with a client. Randstad Care is an equal opportunities employer and decisions are made on merits alone.
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