Job Description
1 year contract with a Local Authority
Job Summary:
• The Qualified Social Worker (QSW) will join the Children’s Assessment and Safeguarding Team (CAST) in Basingstoke, Hampshire, providing high-quality social work services to children, young people, and families.
• This locum role involves assessing risks, safeguarding, and supporting families within statutory frameworks, delivering interventions to promote positive outcomes, and working collaboratively with multi-agency partners.
• The role benefits from strong management support, structured supervision, and access to CPD opportunities.
Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):
• Conduct assessments of children, families, and carers to identify needs, risks, and protective factors within statutory frameworks.
• Develop and monitor care plans, ensuring interventions meet legal and departmental standards.
• Work collaboratively with other agencies, carrying out joint assessments as appropriate.
• Manage a caseload of approximately 25 families, prioritising tasks and achieving outcomes.
• Prepare reports for internal and external purposes, including statutory meetings and court proceedings.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records using paper and electronic case management systems.
• Advise families on benefits, allowances, and services to promote independence.
• Monitor and review care packages and interventions to ensure effectiveness.
• Attend supervision, team meetings, and participate in professional development activities.
• Respond appropriately to emerging risks, safeguarding concerns, and statutory duties.
Skills/Experience:
• Experience working with children and families within statutory social work settings.
• Knowledge of child protection legislation, safeguarding frameworks, and substitute care.
• Strong assessment, analytical, and report-writing skills.
• Ability to manage a complex caseload effectively and work autonomously.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, including negotiation with families and professionals.
• Knowledge of equalities, empowerment, safety, and dignity principles in social work practice.
• Understanding of Best Value principles and managing resources within constraints.
• Organised, with strong time management and prioritisation skills.
• Ability to meet travel requirements for the role.
Additional Information:
• Degree in Social Work or equivalent (CQSW, DipSW) and HCPC registration.
• Locum role, full-time, flexible condensed hours possible.
• Based in Basingstoke, Hampshire, within CAST.
Requirements
• Experience working with children and families within statutory social work settings. • Knowledge of child protection legislation, safeguarding frameworks, and substitute care. • Strong assessment, analytical, and report-writing skills. • Ability to manage a complex caseload effectively and work autonomously. • Effective communication and interpersonal skills, including negotiation with families and professionals. • Knowledge of equalities, empowerment, safety, and dignity principles in social work practice. • Understanding of Best Value principles and managing resources within constraints. • Organised, with strong time management and prioritisation skills. • Ability to meet travel requirements for the role.