Consultant Social Worker - Family Safeguarding Team in Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire

Job Title: Consultant Social Worker – Family Safeguarding Team
Specialism: Social Worker – Children
Location: Hertfordshire, UK
Salary: £42.50 per hour
Type: Ongoing, Part Time / Full Time

Consultant Social Worker within the Family Safeguarding Team in Hertfordshire, earning £42.50 per hour. This outstanding ongoing locum opportunity offers both part-time and full-time flexibility, providing an excellent chance for an experienced social work professional to take on a leadership role within a progressive Family Safeguarding Service. Working within a strengths-based and relationship-focused model, you will support children, young people, and families while promoting positive, sustainable outcomes and reducing risk.

Perks and benefits

• Hourly Pay: Earn a competitive rate of £42.50 per hour, rewarding your expertise and dedication.
• Part Time / Full Time: Choose a working pattern that supports your lifestyle and work-life balance.
• Career Development: Access ongoing training opportunities and continuous professional development to enhance your knowledge and advance your career.
• Supportive Environment: Work within a collaborative culture that promotes mentoring, guidance, and professional growth.
• Dynamic Workplace: Join an innovative team committed to improving outcomes for children and families through modern safeguarding approaches.
• Leadership Opportunities: Take an active role in mentoring practitioners and shaping best practice across the service.

What you will do

• Case Management: Manage a complex caseload involving Children in Need, Child Protection, pre-proceedings, care proceedings, and Children Looked After where required.
• Assessment: Complete high-quality assessments of children, families, and carers in line with statutory guidance and local procedures.
• Care Planning: Develop, implement, and review child-centred care and protection plans that promote safety, wellbeing, and positive outcomes.
• Safeguarding Leadership: Lead safeguarding interventions where children are at risk of significant harm.
• Practice Development: Provide expert consultation, mentoring, and reflective supervision to social workers and newly qualified practitioners.
• Strengths-Based Practice: Promote evidence-informed and strengths-based approaches throughout the Family Safeguarding Team.
• Meeting Management: Chair professional meetings and contribute to strategy discussions, case conferences, legal planning meetings, and multi-agency safeguarding arrangements.
• Relationship Building: Develop effective relationships with children, young people, and families to encourage engagement and lasting change.
• Multi-Agency Working: Collaborate with domestic abuse practitioners, substance misuse specialists, mental health practitioners, schools, health services, police, housing providers, and voluntary agencies.
• Court Work: Prepare detailed, analytical reports for court proceedings and provide expert evidence where required.
• Record Keeping: Ensure all case records and documentation are accurate, timely, and compliant with statutory requirements.
• Quality Assurance: Contribute to audits, service development initiatives, and continuous improvement activities.
• Workforce Development: Support colleagues through coaching, practice observation, and professional development activities.
• Equality and Inclusion: Promote anti-discriminatory practice, equality, diversity, and inclusion throughout service delivery.
• Compliance: Ensure practice remains compliant with safeguarding legislation, professional standards, and Hertfordshire County Council policies.

Qualifications / Requirements

• Social Work Qualification: Degree in Social Work or equivalent recognised qualification.
• Registration: Current Social Work England registration.
• Experience: Significant post-qualification experience within Children's Services, including safeguarding and child protection.
• Leadership Skills: Experience providing mentoring, supervision, or practice leadership to other social workers.
• Court Experience: Strong experience of care proceedings, Public Law Outline processes, and court report writing.
• Legislative Knowledge: In-depth understanding of safeguarding legislation, child protection procedures, and statutory guidance.
• Communication Skills: Excellent assessment, analytical, report-writing, and relationship-building abilities.
• Strengths-Based Practice: Commitment to relationship-based and strengths-based approaches to social work practice.

Why Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire offers an outstanding quality of life, combining vibrant towns, beautiful countryside, and excellent transport links into London and beyond. With thriving communities, excellent schools, cultural attractions, and extensive green spaces, Hertfordshire provides the ideal environment for both professional development and personal wellbeing. It is a fantastic place to build your career while enjoying a rewarding lifestyle.

Working with Sanctuary Personnel

Sanctuary Personnel is a trusted and award-winning agency for roles. With an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot from over 1,000 reviews and many prestigious industry awards, we are dedicated to finding you the best possible rates in roles that match your skills and experience.

Apply now

Take the next step in your social work career and join the Family Safeguarding Team in Hertfordshire with Sanctuary Personnel.