Social Worker - MASH

MASH Team | Oldham Council | £39 per hour

Oldham are looking for an experienced Social Worker to join their MASH service on a locum basis. This is a strong opportunity for someone who is confident working in a fast-paced front-door setting, gathering and analysing information quickly, and making safe, timely decisions for children and families.

This role would suit a practitioner who is organised, calm under pressure, and experienced in multi-agency safeguarding work.

Role Overview

As a Social Worker in Oldham’s MASH team, you will be responsible for screening referrals, reviewing multi-agency information, and supporting threshold decision-making at the front door of children’s services. You will play a key role in identifying risk, assessing immediate safeguarding concerns, and ensuring children are directed into the right service at the right time.

This is a frontline safeguarding role within a busy Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub. You will work closely with partner agencies including police, health, education, and early help to build a clear picture of risk and need. The role requires strong analytical skills, confidence in threshold application, and the ability to make well-reasoned decisions based on information gathered from a range of sources. Previous experience in MASH, Duty, or Assessment is highly beneficial.

Key responsibilities

  • Screen incoming referrals and review safeguarding information from multiple agencies
  • Gather, analyse, and interpret information to support threshold decisions
  • Identify immediate safeguarding risks and ensure timely action is taken where needed
  • Make recommendations around next steps, including step-down, progression to assessment, or urgent intervention
  • Liaise with partner agencies including police, health, education, and early help services
  • Contribute to strategy discussions and decision-making around complex or high-risk referrals
  • Maintain clear, accurate, and analytical case recording
  • Work at pace while ensuring decisions remain child-focused and evidence-based

Benefits

  • Strong rate of £39 per hour
  • Front-door role with a clear focus on safeguarding and decision-making
  • Opportunity to work in a fast-paced multi-agency environment
  • Valuable experience within a well-established MASH setting
  • Chance to make an immediate impact at the first point of contact for children’s services

Requirements

  • Social Work England registration
  • Qualified Social Worker status
  • Previous experience in MASH, Duty, Assessment, or frontline safeguarding services
  • Strong understanding of thresholds, risk, and statutory intervention
  • Confident multi-agency working and information-sharing practice
  • Ability to make clear, defensible decisions in a fast-paced environment
  • Enhanced DBS and full compliance for locum work

Interested?

For more information or to apply, contact:
Emily Cooper - ecooper@sheldon-phillips.com | 07745 200325

Know someone suitable? We offer a referral bonus for successful recommendations.