Children in Care Social Worker | Derbyshire County Council (Chesterfield Locality) | £35 per hour
Sheldon Phillips are working with Derbyshire County Council to recruit an experienced Social Worker to join their Children in Care Team based in the Chesterfield locality. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a stable and supportive service working with children and young people who are looked after, ensuring they receive consistent care planning and positive long-term outcomes.
Role Overview
As a Children in Care Social Worker, you will manage a caseload of looked after children, focusing on ensuring their care plans are effective, stable, and centred around achieving permanence. You will work closely with children, carers, families, and multi-agency professionals to ensure their needs are met and their voices are central to all planning and decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a caseload of looked after children and young people
- Undertake statutory visits in line with legislation and local authority timescales
- Develop and review care plans, ensuring they promote permanence and stability
- Support pathway planning for care leavers where appropriate
- Prepare high-quality reports for reviews and, where required, court proceedings
- Work collaboratively with foster carers, adopters, and residential providers
- Build strong relationships with children and young people, ensuring their voice is heard
- Work closely with partner agencies including education, health, and early help services
- Maintain accurate, timely and high-quality case recording
Benefits
- Competitive rate of £35 per hour
- Supportive and experienced management team
- Stable Children in Care service with clear structure and guidance
- Hybrid/flexible working arrangements available
- Opportunity to work within a well-established local authority
- Manageable caseloads with a focus on quality practice
- Ongoing professional development opportunities
Requirements
- Social Work qualification (Degree/DipSW/CQSW)
- Registration with Social Work England
- Post-qualified experience within Children’s Services
- Experience working with looked after children is highly desirable
- Good understanding of the Children Act 1989 and care planning framework
- Experience of multi-agency working and child-focused practice
- Strong assessment, communication, and report writing skills
- Commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes for children and young people
Interested?
If you are an experienced Children’s Social Worker looking for your next locum opportunity, we’d love to hear from you.
Contact Emily Cooper on 07745 200325 or email ecooper@sheldon-phillips.com for more information or to apply.