Social Worker - Duty and Assessment

Social Worker – Duty and Assessment Team | Manchester City Council

Position: Social Worker
Team: Duty and Assessment
Contract: Locum
Hours: 35 hours per week
Pay Rate: £35 per hour
Location: Manchester City Centre
Contact: Emily Cooper – 07745200325 | ecooper@sheldon-phillips.com

Sheldon Phillips are working with Manchester City Council to recruit a Social Worker to join their Duty and Assessment Team on a locum basis. This is a key frontline role, working in a fast-paced, well-structured team with strong management support.

The team operates on a full-time, office-based model, especially during duty weeks, and offers a great opportunity to develop your assessment and decision-making skills in a dynamic urban setting.

What You Can Expect:

  • A busy, high-performing front door service

  • Full-time, office-based working for all duty weeks (5 days per week)

  • Clear management structure with accessible Team Managers

  • Fast-paced environment with a strong emphasis on safeguarding and early response

  • Work based out of a central Manchester location with excellent transport links

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Respond to new referrals and complete initial assessments under Section 17 and 47

  • Manage safeguarding enquiries and make quick, evidence-based decisions

  • Liaise closely with partner agencies including health, police and education

  • Complete timely and high-quality case recordings and reports

  • Prepare for transfer of cases to longer-term teams when appropriate

  • Attend strategy meetings, ICPCs and legal planning meetings as needed

  • Manage a rotating duty caseload with urgency, clarity and professionalism

  • Work confidently and consistently within Manchester’s practice standards and policies

Requirements:

  • Social Work England (SWE) Registration

  • Recognised Social Work qualification

  • Strong experience in Duty & Assessment or Front Door services

  • Proven safeguarding, risk analysis, and assessment skills

  • Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced statutory team

  • Willingness to work fully office based, 5 days per week during duty weeks

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