Practice Manager - MASH

Position: Practice Manager
Team: Multi-Agency Screening Team (MAST)
Contract: Locum (Initial 12-week contract)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Pay Rate: £40 per hour
Location: Halifax, Calderdale
Start Date: ASAP
Working Pattern: Primarily office-based with occasional home working

Contact: Emily Cooper – 07745200325 | ecooper@sheldon-phillips.com

Sheldon Phillips are working in partnership with Calderdale Council to recruit a Practice Manager within their Multi-Agency Screening Team (MAST).

The MAST is Calderdale’s single front door for all safeguarding, early help, and children’s social care enquiries. The team plays a vital statutory role, screening all incoming contacts to ensure timely and appropriate responses to safeguard children and young people across the borough.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Practice Manager with a strong background in frontline decision-making and multi-agency working to join a high-performing service that places collaboration and child safety at the heart of its practice.

What You Can Expect:

  • Fast-paced, multi-agency environment with daily engagement with Police, Health, and Education partners

  • Responsibility for oversight of all safeguarding and early help referrals

  • Involvement in high-level decision-making within 24-hour statutory timescales

  • Supportive management culture and clear communication pathways

  • Primarily office-based role within a well-structured team environment

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Oversee the screening and decision-making of all incoming safeguarding, early help, and disability/OT referrals

  • Chair and lead strategy discussions in line with statutory guidance

  • Approve outcomes and ensure all decisions are robust, defensible, and timely

  • Coordinate and contribute to MARAC, DRAMM, and Police safeguarding processes

  • Provide direct supervision and oversight to social workers and screening officers

  • Ensure consistent application of thresholds and quality assurance of practice

  • Promote effective partnership working and information sharing across agencies

Requirements:

  • Social Work England registration

  • Social Work qualification (Degree/DipSW/CQSW)

  • Substantial post-qualified experience in safeguarding and front door services

  • Proven ability to lead, supervise, and make sound safeguarding decisions

  • Strong multi-agency working and communication skills

  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume screening environment

This is an excellent short-term opportunity to step into a pivotal leadership role and make a real difference to safeguarding practice in Calderdale.

If you’re an experienced social work manager looking for your next challenge, please get in touch today.

Contact Details:
Emily Cooper – 07745200325 | ecooper@sheldon-phillips.com