Organisation: Cheshire East Council (or relevant authority)
Location: Base at Wyvern House with hybrid working arrangements
Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday (4:30pm finish on Fridays)
Rate: Capped agency rate (as agreed)
Role Purpose
An experienced and qualified Senior Social Worker is required to join the i-ART (Integrated Access and Referral Team) Front Door service. This is a fast-paced safeguarding and decision-making environment, acting as the first point of contact for children’s social care referrals.
The successful candidate will be responsible for screening, assessing, and triaging contacts and referrals to ensure appropriate and timely safeguarding responses in line with statutory guidance and local procedures.
Key Responsibilities
Work within the i-ART Front Door team to screen, triage, and assess referrals to children’s social care
Make timely and informed threshold decisions in line with safeguarding procedures and statutory guidance
Undertake risk assessments and determine appropriate levels of intervention (Early Help, Child in Need, Child Protection)
Liaise effectively with multi-agency partners including police, health, education, and Early Help services
Provide clear professional advice and decision-making support to referrers and partner agencies
Ensure all safeguarding concerns are appropriately escalated in line with procedures
Maintain accurate and timely recording on case management systems
Contribute to a high-performing front door service ensuring consistency, quality, and safeguarding outcomes
Participate in team meetings, supervision, and service development activity
Essential Requirements
Qualified Social Worker with current Social Work England registration
Significant post-qualified experience in statutory children’s social care
Essential experience working within an i-ART / MASH / Front Door safeguarding team
Strong knowledge of thresholds, safeguarding legislation, and statutory guidance (Children Act 1989/2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children)
Ability to make confident, timely, and defensible decisions in a high-pressure environment
Excellent communication, analytical, and recording skills
Experience working within multi-agency safeguarding frameworks