Social Worker - Family Safeguarding

Senior Social Worker – Safeguarding Team
Herefordshire Council | Locum | £33.30 per hour
Hybrid – 3 Days in the Office

Herefordshire Council is looking for an experienced Senior Social Worker to join their Safeguarding Team on a locum basis. This is an opportunity to work within a supportive environment while contributing to improved outcomes for vulnerable children and families across the county.

About the Role:
You will be responsible for managing complex safeguarding cases, ensuring child-centred and strength-based practice in line with Herefordshire’s approach.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage a varied caseload of children in need, child protection, and care proceedings.
• Undertake Child and Family Assessments, Section 47 enquiries, and court work.
• Lead strategy discussions, case conferences, and planning meetings.
• Provide professional guidance and support to less experienced team members.
• Maintain clear, analytical case records using Mosaic.
• Work in partnership with families and multi-agency professionals to promote best outcomes for children.

Practice Model:
Herefordshire Council uses the Signs of Safety framework as its practice model in 2025. This approach focuses on strengths-based, collaborative working with families, aiming to build sustainable safety plans that reduce risk while keeping the child’s voice central to all interventions.

Requirements:

• Social Work England registration
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in safeguarding or child protection
• Strong understanding of risk management, legal frameworks, and care planning
• Confident in leading multi-agency meetings and court proceedings
• Commitment to strengths-based, child-centred practice

Benefits:

• £33.30 per hour
• Hybrid working – 3 days per week in the office
• 6-month rolling contract
• Supportive management and reflective supervision

Interested? Contact Maddie Billingham at Sheldon Phillips:

Phone:

Email: mbillingham@sheldon-phillips.com

We offer up to £500 for successful referrals.