West Berkshire Council

Social Worker – Assessment Team

Pay Rate: £38 per hour
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Locum

About the Role

West Berkshire Council is seeking an experienced Social Worker to join its Assessment Team. This frontline role focuses on completing high-quality Child and Family Assessments, responding to referrals, and identifying the right level of support and intervention to safeguard children and promote positive outcomes.

You will work with children and families at the point of referral, undertaking statutory assessments and working closely with partner agencies to ensure timely and effective decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

Undertake Child and Family Assessments and respond to new referrals.
Complete Section 17 and Section 47 enquiries where required.
Analyse risk and need to inform proportionate and timely interventions.
Carry out direct work with children and families, ensuring the child’s voice is central.
Work collaboratively with multi-agency partners including health, education, and police.
Prepare clear, analytical reports and maintain accurate case records.

Practice Model Used by West Berkshire

West Berkshire operates the Signs of Safety practice model. This strengths-based, relationship-focused approach supports clear risk analysis, collaborative working with families, and transparent decision-making, ensuring children’s safety and wellbeing remain central throughout the assessment process.

Why West Berkshire Is a Great Place to Live and Work

West Berkshire offers an excellent quality of life, combining rural living with strong professional opportunities. The area benefits from:

Beautiful countryside and market towns, including Newbury and surrounding villages.
Excellent transport links to Reading, London, and the South East.
A strong sense of community and family-friendly environment.
A good balance between work and lifestyle, with access to green spaces and outdoor activities.
A supportive local authority committed to high-quality practice and staff wellbeing.