Locum Safeguarding Qualified Social Worker

Social Worker – Family Safeguarding

Brief Job Overview

 
We are recruiting an experienced and dedicated Social Worker to join the Family Safeguarding Team at Dudley Council on a 3-month locum contract. This role offers the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of children and families by supporting them to achieve safety, stability, and long-term positive outcomes.  

You will work as part of a multi-agency team, delivering high-quality, relationship-based interventions that protect children and empower families to make sustainable change.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a diverse caseload including Child in Need (CIN), Child Protection (CP), and Looked After Children (LAC) cases in line with statutory and local procedures.
• Undertake comprehensive assessments under the Children Act 1989 to identify risk, need, and strengths within families.
• Develop outcome-focused, child-centred care and protection plans that promote safety and wellbeing.
• Work collaboratively with parents, carers, and partner agencies to implement family safeguarding interventions.
• Contribute to multi-agency meetings, child protection conferences, and statutory reviews, ensuring all decisions are evidence-based and timely.
• Prepare high-quality, analytical reports for courts and child protection proceedings as required.
• Maintain clear, accurate, and timely records in accordance with legislation, policy, and local authority procedures.
• Promote best practice and reflective learning through supervision and team discussions.
• Ensure children’s voices are central to assessments and planning, reflecting their wishes, feelings, and experiences in all work undertaken.

About You

 
You are a skilled and passionate social worker with a strong background in safeguarding and family support. You bring professional curiosity, excellent assessment skills, and the ability to manage complex situations with confidence and empathy. You are committed to collaborative, strengths-based practice and improving outcomes for children and families in Dudley.

Requirements

• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
• At least two years’ post-qualified experience in statutory children’s services, ideally within Family Safeguarding or a similar safeguarding team.
• Comprehensive understanding of the Children Act 1989 and Working Together to Safeguard Children.
• Experience working with CIN, CP, and court cases.
• Strong assessment, report-writing, and case management skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and time management skills.
• Commitment to reflective practice and ongoing professional development.

Contract & Salary

• Job Type: Locum
• Location: Dudley
• Service Area: Children’s Services – Family Safeguarding
• Contract Length: 3 months
• Salary: Negotiable, dependent on experience
• Working Hours: Full-time
• Working Pattern: Hybrid / Office-based as required

How to Apply

 
If you are a passionate and skilled Social Worker ready to contribute to the safety and wellbeing of children and families in Dudley, we’d love to hear from you.  
Please apply using the form on the page.