Social Worker - Safeguarding

Family Safeguarding | Rochdale Council | £39.00 per hour

About the role

This is a Family Support and Protection role within Children’s Services, working with children and families on Child in Need and Child Protection plans. You’ll hold cases from assessment transfer through to step-down or escalation, completing direct work, coordinating multi-agency plans, and ensuring children’s lived experience stays central to decision-making.

You’ll need to be confident with safeguarding processes, risk analysis, and producing high-quality written work, including assessments, plans, and court-related documentation where required.

Key responsibilities

  • Manage a caseload of children and families within a Family Support and Protection service.

  • Hold and progress Child in Need and Child Protection plans, ensuring timely intervention and clear outcomes.
  • Complete statutory visits and direct work with children to assess risk, need, and protective factors.
  • Undertake assessments and update plans in line with changing family circumstances.
  • Progress Section 47 enquiries and safeguarding actions where concerns escalate.
  • Build effective working relationships with parents and carers while maintaining a clear focus on the child’s safety.
  • Work closely with partner agencies including schools, health, police, and early help services.
  • Attend and contribute to strategy meetings, core groups, child protection conferences, and review meetings.
  • Maintain accurate case recordings and produce clear, evidence-based reports within timescales.
  • Escalate risk appropriately and support step-down planning where risks reduce.

Benefits

  • £39.00 per hour locum rate
  • Strong frontline safeguarding role with meaningful casework
  • Opportunity to work in a team focused on long-term outcomes for children
  • Good fit for social workers confident in CP/CIN planning and multi-agency practice

Requirements

  • Social Work qualification (Degree/DipSW/CQSW or equivalent)
  • Social Work England registration
  • Recent statutory children’s social work experience
  • Experience in Safeguarding / Family Support / Child Protection teams
  • Confident managing CIN and CP plans
  • Strong assessment, risk management, and multi-agency working skills
  • Ability to produce high-quality written work and maintain accurate records

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.