Assessment Social Worker

Assessment Social Worker | Bedford Borough Council | £40.50 per hour

Bedford Borough Council is looking for an experienced Assessment Social Worker to join their frontline service on a locum basis at £40.50 per hour.

This is a strong opportunity for a capable practitioner who is confident managing assessments, safeguarding and child protection work within a fast-paced local authority setting. The team operates a duty week model, with office-based working required 1 week in every 4 weeks. This role would suit a qualified social worker with solid frontline children’s services experience who can step into assessment work quickly, make sound decisions and manage risk effectively.

Role Overview

As an Assessment Social Worker, you will be responsible for completing timely and high-quality assessments for children and families, ensuring that risks are identified early and that appropriate plans are put in place to safeguard children and promote positive outcomes.

You will work closely with families, partner agencies and internal teams to gather information, assess needs and determine the right level of intervention. This role requires confident analysis, clear recording and strong decision-making within statutory timescales.

Key responsibilities

• Undertake Child and Family Assessments in line with statutory duties and local procedures
• Manage a caseload involving safeguarding, child in need and child protection work
• Carry out duty responsibilities during the allocated office-based duty week
• Complete visits, risk assessments and direct work with children and families
• Work closely with schools, health professionals, police and other partner agencies
• Prepare clear, analytical reports and maintain accurate case recordings
• Attend strategy discussions, legal meetings, child protection conferences and core groups where required
• Contribute to robust care planning and ensure all work is progressed within timescales

Benefits

• £40.50 per hour
• Bedford Borough Council local authority contract
• Hybrid working model
• Office attendance required 1 week in every 4 weeks for duty
• Supportive frontline team environment
• Opportunity to work in a well-established assessment service
• Immediate impact role for an experienced practitioner

Requirements

• Social Work England registration
• Qualified Social Worker status
• Previous frontline children’s services experience within a local authority setting
• Strong background in assessment, safeguarding and child protection
• Ability to manage a fast-paced caseload and make defensible decisions
• Confident written and verbal communication skills
• Enhanced DBS

Interested?

For more information or to apply, please contact Emily Cooper at Sheldon Phillips: ecooper@sheldon-phillips.com | 07745200325

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