Shropshire Council

Senior Practitioner – Duty and Assessment Team

Pay Rate: £33.30 per hour
Hours: 37 per week
Contract: Locum

About the Role

Shropshire Council is seeking an experienced Senior Practitioner to join its Duty and Assessment Team.
You will work at the front door of Children's Services, undertaking assessments, responding to safeguarding concerns, and ensuring children and families receive the right intervention at the right time.

As a Senior Practitioner, you will manage complex cases, provide support and guidance to colleagues, and help maintain high standards of practice across the team.

Key Responsibilities

• Complete Child and Family Assessments and Section 47 enquiries.
• Manage a complex caseload of safeguarding and assessment cases.
• Respond to new referrals and undertake duty responsibilities.
• Develop and implement effective safety and support plans.
• Support and mentor less experienced social workers.
• Work collaboratively with education, health, police, and partner agencies.
• Prepare high-quality reports for conferences, reviews, and court proceedings.
• Maintain accurate and timely case recordings.

Practice Model Used by Shropshire

Shropshire Children's Services uses a Strengths-Based Practice Model supported by Signs of Safety principles.

This approach focuses on:

• Building collaborative relationships with children and families
• Identifying strengths and support networks
• Transparent assessment and decision-making
• Clear risk assessment and safety planning
• Reflective supervision and continuous professional development
• The model supports consistent, relationship-based social work practice and positive outcomes for children.

Why Shropshire Is a Great Place to Live and Work

Shropshire offers an exceptional quality of life with a perfect blend of rural beauty, historic market towns, and excellent connectivity:

• Home to the stunning Shropshire Hills National Landscape, ideal for walking, cycling, and outdoor activities.
• Affordable housing and a lower cost of living than many neighbouring counties.
• Historic towns such as Shrewsbury, offering excellent shopping, dining, and cultural attractions.
• Strong transport links to Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and the wider Midlands region.
• A supportive local authority committed to staff wellbeing, career development, and improving outcomes for children and families.
• It’s a fantastic place to build your social work career while enjoying an excellent work-life balance.

Interested?

To apply, please send your CV to:
dmitchell@sheldon-phillips.com

For more information, call:
07561 805654