Social Worker - Safeguarding Team

Social Worker – Safeguarding Team
(Portsmouth City Council)

Pay Rate: Up to £42 per hour
Hours: 37 hours per week, hybrid working (3 days office-based)
Contract: Locum

About the Role

Portsmouth City Council is seeking an experienced Social Worker to join its Safeguarding Team on a locum basis. This is an exciting opportunity to work within a service committed to promoting the safety, stability, and wellbeing of children and families across the city.

You’ll manage a caseload of Child in Need and Child Protection cases, carrying out detailed assessments, developing outcome-focused plans, and working closely with families and partner agencies to support positive and sustainable change.

With a supportive management structure and hybrid working arrangements (3 days in the office, 2 from home), Portsmouth offers the ideal balance between collaboration and flexibility.

Key Responsibilities

  • Undertake Section 17 and Section 47 assessments within statutory timescales.
  • Develop, implement, and review Child in Need and Child Protection Plans.
  • Work in partnership with children, families, and professionals to achieve safe, stable outcomes.
  • Prepare high-quality reports for Child Protection Conferences and legal proceedings.
  • Maintain accurate, timely case records using Liquidlogic, Portsmouth’s case management system.
  • Participate in reflective supervision and contribute to ongoing service improvement.

Practice Model & System Used

Portsmouth’s social work practice is built around a Restorative and Relationship-Based Model, which emphasises working with families rather than to them. This strengths-based approach focuses on empowering families, building trust, and developing sustainable solutions that ensure the child’s voice remains central to every decision.

All casework is completed using Liquidlogic, ensuring efficient workflows and clear multi-agency communication.

Requirements

  • Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration.
  • Experience in Safeguarding / Child Protection / CIN teams.
  • Strong assessment, risk management, and planning skills.
  • Excellent communication and report-writing ability.
  • Familiarity with Liquidlogic (advantageous).

Benefits

  • Competitive locum rate – up to £42 per hour.
  • Full-time contract – 37 hours per week.
  • Hybrid working (3 days office-based).
  • Supportive and reflective team culture.
  • Opportunity to join an authority recognised for its commitment to children’s services.

About Portsmouth

Located on England’s beautiful south coast, Portsmouth offers the perfect blend of coastal living and city life. With its historic Harbour, Gunwharf Quays shopping and dining complex, and great transport links to London and the South West, it’s a vibrant, welcoming city full of character.

Portsmouth City Council has made significant investment in workforce development, innovation, and wellbeing — making it a fantastic place to live, work, and grow as a social worker.

Interested?

If you’d like to apply, please email your CV to dmitchell@sheldon-phillips.com
or click the Apply button.

Questions?
Call me on 07561 805654 and I’ll be happy to talk things through.