Locum Safeguarding Qualified Social Worker

Social Worker (Children’s, Schools and Families)

Brief Job Overview

 
We are seeking an experienced and dedicated Children’s Social Worker to join the Children’s, Schools and Families Team at Cornwall Council. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of children and young people by supporting vulnerable families, safeguarding those at risk, and promoting positive, lasting change.  

You will be responsible for managing a diverse caseload including Child Protection (CP), Child in Need (CIN), and Children in Care (CIC) cases. The successful candidate will use the Signs of Safety approach to build strong, collaborative relationships with families and professionals, ensuring the best outcomes for children across Cornwall.

Key Responsibilities

• Hold and manage a complex caseload of Child Protection, Child in Need, and Child in Care cases.
• Undertake Section 47 enquiries and complete high-quality child protection investigations and reports.
• Prepare and present detailed court reports and confidently give evidence in court proceedings.
• Chair and actively participate in multi-agency core group meetings to coordinate effective safeguarding interventions.
• Use the Signs of Safety framework to assess, plan, and review work with children and families.
• Build positive relationships with children, families, and partner agencies to promote safety and wellbeing.
• Demonstrate sound professional judgment in assessing risk and developing clear, outcome-focused plans.
• Work collaboratively with education, health, and other multi-agency professionals to ensure integrated service delivery.
• Complete accurate, timely recording on the MOSAIC system in line with policy and statutory expectations.
• Undertake duty work as required, ensuring timely responses to referrals and safeguarding concerns.
• Promote a culture of reflection, learning, and continuous improvement across the team.

About You

 
You are an experienced, confident, and compassionate Social Worker with a strong background in child protection, care proceedings, and multi-agency working. You are a clear communicator — both written and verbal — and can work effectively with a wide range of professionals and vulnerable families.  

You bring a strengths-based, solution-focused approach to your work and are passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people. You are adaptable, resilient, and committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based social work across Cornwall.

Requirements

• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
• Proven experience working within Children’s Services, particularly in Child Protection and Court Work.
• Ability to undertake Section 47 enquiries and produce analytical child protection reports.
• Strong understanding of the Signs of Safety approach and its practical application in child protection work.
• Experience writing and presenting court reports and evidence with confidence.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and partnership working skills.
• Knowledge and experience of using MOSAIC or similar case management systems.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and maintain professional standards in high-pressure environments.
• Full UK driving licence and access to own vehicle, with flexibility to travel across Cornwall.

Contract & Salary

• Job Type: Locum
• Location: Cornwall Council
• Service Area: Children’s, Schools and Families Team
• Contract Length: 3 months (with potential for extension)
• Salary: Negotiable, dependent on experience
• Working Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week
• Working Pattern: Hybrid / Office-based as required

How to Apply

 
If you’re an experienced Social Worker with strong child protection and court experience, and you’re passionate about supporting children and families across Cornwall, we’d love to hear from you.  
Please apply using the form on the page.