Senior Social Worker - Children in Care

Senior Social Worker | Children in Care | Manchester City Council
£40 per hour (Umbrella) | Locum

About the role

You’ll manage a CIC caseload and provide a more senior level of oversight in planning, risk management and progression. Expect court-adjacent thinking, high standards of recording, and a clear focus on the child’s lived experience. Practice in Manchester is aligned to Signs of Safety as an overarching framework, with tools to support consistent assessment and planning across the service.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and progress care planning and permanency (long-term fostering, SGO, adoption, reunification where appropriate)
• Complete high-quality LAC work: visits, reviews, PEP oversight, multi-agency planning
• Produce clear analysis and recording that stands up to scrutiny and QA
• Support/mentor colleagues and contribute to stronger decision-making across the team
• Manage risk confidently and escalate appropriately when plans drift

Benefits 

• Senior-level role where your judgement actually matters
• Strong platform if you’re building toward AP/management long-term
• £40/hr is competitive for CIC at Senior level

Requirements

• SWE registration
• Recent experience in Children in Care / Permanency
• Strong planning, written work, and confidence in multi-agency challenge
• Enhanced DBS (or Update Service)

Interested?

Emily Cooper | ecooper@sheldon-phillips.com | 07745 200325
Referral bonus available for successful recommendations.