Senior Social Worker – MASH

Senior Social Worker – MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub)

Southwark Council

Salary: £39.04 per hour (Umbrella) 
Contract: Locum | Full-time | Inside IR35
Start Date: ASAP

Southwark Council is seeking an experienced Senior Social Worker to join its Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). This is a fast-paced frontline role where you'll be responsible for making timely threshold decisions on incoming referrals, ensuring children and families receive the right support at the earliest opportunity.

As Southwark begins to redesign its Front Door in line with the Families First model, this is an exciting opportunity to be part of a service driving positive change. The successful candidate will be a confident and experienced MASH practitioner, able to make sound decisions under pressure while working collaboratively with partner agencies to achieve the best outcomes for children and families.

About the Role

As a Senior Social Worker within MASH, you'll screen and triage all incoming referrals, gathering and analysing information from partner agencies to make informed threshold decisions within statutory timescales.

Working in a dynamic multi-agency environment, you'll need to think creatively about support pathways for families, identifying opportunities for early help and community-based interventions where statutory social work involvement isn't required. You'll play a key role in ensuring children receive the right service at the right time while maintaining a strong focus on safeguarding and risk management.

Key Responsibilities

• Screen, triage, and assess all incoming referrals into Children's Services.
• Make robust threshold decisions in line with statutory guidance and local procedures.
• Gather and analyse information from partner agencies to inform decision-making.
• Identify appropriate pathways, including Early Help and community-based support where appropriate.
• Respond effectively to safeguarding concerns within strict timescales.
• Build positive relationships with families and partner professionals.
• Work collaboratively within a multi-agency environment to achieve the best outcomes for children.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and high-quality case recordings.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of Southwark's Front Door service as it transitions to the Families First model.

Practice Model

Southwark is redesigning its Front Door service in line with the Families First model, placing greater emphasis on early intervention, collaborative working, and ensuring families receive the right support at the earliest opportunity.

This approach encourages relationship-based practice, creative problem-solving, and strong partnership working to reduce unnecessary statutory intervention while ensuring children remain safe and supported.

Requirements

• Social Work degree or equivalent qualification.
• Social Work England registration.
• Minimum of 2–3 years' consistent experience working within a MASH team.
• Strong understanding of threshold decision-making and safeguarding legislation.
• Experience screening and triaging referrals within statutory timescales.
• Excellent assessment, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships with families and multi-agency partners.
• Ability to work confidently in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

Benefits

• £39.04 per hour Umbrella 
• Hybrid working where service needs allow.
• Opportunity to join an evolving Front Door service implementing the Families First model.
• Supportive multi-agency working environment.
• Long-term locum opportunity within a highly regarded London authority.

Interested?

Contact Rhys Rafferty at Sheldon Phillips on 07595 063297 or email rrafferty@sheldon-phillips.com to discuss this role in more detail.

Referral Bonus: Know someone who would be a great fit? Refer them to Sheldon Phillips and, if we successfully place them into a locum role, you'll receive a £300 referral bonus as a thank you. Terms and conditions apply.