Social Worker - Assessment

Assessment Team | Salford Council | £39 per hour

Salford are looking for an experienced Social Worker to join their Assessment Team on a locum basis. This is a strong opportunity for someone who is confident working in a fast-paced frontline service, completing timely assessments, managing risk effectively, and making safe decisions for children and families.

This role would suit a practitioner who is organised, decisive, and experienced in statutory assessment and safeguarding work.

Role Overview

As a Social Worker in Salford’s Assessment Team, you will be responsible for completing child and family assessments, identifying risk, and determining the right level of intervention for children and families at the point of referral. You will play a key role in progressing cases where there are safeguarding concerns, ensuring assessments are completed within timescales and plans are child-focused and evidence-based.

This is a busy frontline role where you will work directly with children, families, and partner agencies to assess need, analyse risk, and make recommendations around next steps. The role requires strong statutory experience, confidence in managing s17 and s47 work, and the ability to produce clear and analytical recording. Previous experience in Assessment, Duty, or Child Protection services is highly beneficial.

Key responsibilities

• Complete child and family assessments within statutory timescales
• Undertake s17 and s47 enquiries where required
• Assess risk and identify appropriate levels of intervention
• Progress cases following referral and determine next steps
• Work closely with children, families, and partner agencies
• Develop child-focused plans based on risk and need
• Maintain clear, accurate, and analytical case recording
• Manage a varied caseload within a fast-paced assessment setting

Benefits

• Strong rate of £39 per hour
• Frontline statutory role within a busy Assessment Team
• Opportunity to work in a fast-paced safeguarding service
• Valuable experience within a well-established local authority team
• Chance to make an immediate impact for children and families at the point of intervention

Requirements

• Social Work England registration
• Qualified Social Worker status
• Previous experience in Assessment, Duty, or Child Protection services
• Strong understanding of statutory assessment and safeguarding processes
• Confident managing risk and making defensible decisions
• Ability to work at pace while maintaining high-quality practice
• Enhanced DBS and full compliance for locum work

Interested?

For more information or to apply, contact:
Emily Cooper - ecooper@sheldon-phillips.com | 07745 200325

Know someone suitable? We offer a referral bonus for successful recommendations.