Locum Children In Need Qualified Social Worker

Locum Advanced Practitioner – Early Help / Front Door Team

Role Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Advanced Practitioner to join the Early Help / Front Door Team. This is a full-time locum position working 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday, offered on an initial 6-month contract.

This role is ideal for an experienced Senior Social Worker looking to progress into a leadership position. You will provide supervision and support to 2–3 Family Support Practitioners (FSPs) while continuing to contribute to frontline decision-making within a busy Early Help and Front Door service. You will play a key role in ensuring children and families receive timely, proportionate and effective interventions.

Key Responsibilities

   
• Provide regular supervision, mentoring and professional support to 2–3 Family Support Practitioners.
     

• Support the management of daily duty alongside your own workload within a fast-paced Front Door service.
     

• Make threshold decisions relating to Section 17 support, including homelessness and financial assistance.
     

• Undertake Human Rights Assessments to determine whether Section 17 support should continue where appeal rights have been exhausted.
     

• Apply safeguarding thresholds when reviewing and progressing contacts received through the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).
     

• Provide consultation and advice to frontline practitioners on complex cases and threshold decisions.
     

• Develop strong working relationships with Children’s Services and Housing colleagues, attending daily multi-agency meetings and case consultations.
     

• Support the learning and development of frontline staff, students and volunteers through regular supervision and guidance.
     

• Maintain accurate case records and ensure all practice complies with statutory guidance and organisational procedures.

About You

You will be an experienced Senior Social Worker with excellent knowledge of Children’s Services thresholds, Early Help and MASH processes. You will be confident supervising practitioners, making complex safeguarding decisions and working collaboratively with partner agencies to achieve the best outcomes for children and families.

Requirements

   
• Qualified Social Worker with current Social Work England registration.
     

• Minimum of 3 years’ post-qualified experience within Children’s Social Care.
     

• Previous experience supervising frontline practitioners, students and/or volunteers.
     

• Strong understanding of Section 17 legislation relating to homelessness and financial support.
     

• Experience completing Human Rights Assessments and applying statutory thresholds.
     

• Excellent knowledge of MASH and Front Door threshold decision-making.
     

• Ability to manage competing priorities within a busy duty environment.
     

• Excellent communication, leadership and relationship-building skills.

Contract & Salary

   
• Job Title: Locum Advanced Practitioner – Early Help / Front Door Team
     

• Hours: 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday
     

• Contract: Initial 6-month assignment
     

• Working Pattern: Full-time, weekdays
     

• Start Date: ASAP
     

• Salary: Negotiable

How to Apply

If you are an experienced Senior Social Worker looking to take the next step into an Advanced Practitioner role, we’d love to hear from you. This is an excellent opportunity to lead, mentor and support practitioners while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families. Apply using the form on the page.