Job Description
3 month contract role with a Local Authority
Job Summary:
• Walsall Council is seeking an experienced Senior Practitioner to join the Children’s Services team within the West locality based in Darlaston.
• The role involves working within a family safeguarding model, managing complex cases involving children and families where there are safeguarding concerns.
• The successful candidate will provide high-quality social work practice, contribute to decision-making on complex cases, and support less experienced social workers where required.
• This is a hybrid role requiring a mixture of office-based work and home working.
Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):
• Manage a caseload of complex children and family safeguarding cases.
• Work within the Family Safeguarding model to support and protect children at risk.
• Undertake comprehensive assessments and risk assessments in line with statutory guidance.
• Develop and implement child-centred care and protection plans.
• Work with families to promote positive change and improve outcomes for children.
• Prepare high-quality reports, including assessments and court documentation where required.
• Attend and contribute to multi-agency meetings such as child protection conferences and core groups.
• Provide professional guidance and support to less experienced social workers within the team.
• Work collaboratively with partner agencies including health services, education, police, and voluntary organisations.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date case records in line with organisational and statutory requirements.
Skills/Experience:
• Qualified Social Worker with current Social Work England registration.
• Minimum of 3 years post-qualified experience (PQE) in children’s social care.
• Proven experience working within a Family Safeguarding model.
• Strong experience managing complex safeguarding cases involving children and families.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory guidance, and safeguarding procedures.
• Experience preparing court reports and supporting legal processes where required.
• Strong analytical, assessment, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work effectively within multi-agency environments.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
Additional Information:
• Bi-Weekly Payments.
• Rate: £33.30 per hour (Umbrella – MOU rate).
• Hours: 37 hours per week.
• Location: Darlaston (West Locality), Walsall Council.
• Working Pattern: Hybrid – approximately 2–3 days in the office.
• Driver essential due to travel requirements.
• Minimum 3 years PQE required.
• DfE form must be completed for submission – applications without this will be rejected.
Requirements
• Qualified Social Worker with current Social Work England registration. • Minimum of 3 years post-qualified experience (PQE) in children’s social care. • Proven experience working within a Family Safeguarding model. • Strong experience managing complex safeguarding cases involving children and families. • Knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory guidance, and safeguarding procedures. • Experience preparing court reports and supporting legal processes where required. • Strong analytical, assessment, and decision-making skills. • Ability to work effectively within multi-agency environments. • Excellent communication and organisational skills.