West Berkshire Council

Social Worker – Family Safeguarding Team

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

About the Role

West Berkshire Council is seeking an experienced Social Worker to join its Family Safeguarding Team.
You will work with children and families where there are safeguarding concerns, delivering high-quality assessments and interventions aimed at keeping families safely together wherever possible.

This is a supportive service with a strong emphasis on collaborative, multi-agency working and achieving sustainable outcomes for families.

Key Responsibilities

Complete Children Act assessments including Section 17 and Section 47 enquiries.
Manage a caseload of CIN, CP, and pre-proceedings cases.
Work closely with partner agencies including health, police, and education.
Develop and implement safety plans to reduce risk.
Undertake direct work with children and families.
Prepare high-quality reports for conferences and court proceedings where required.
Maintain accurate and timely case recordings.

Practice Model Used by West Berkshire

West Berkshire operates a Family Safeguarding Model, a strengths-based, multi-disciplinary approach that:

Focuses on keeping families together safely
Embeds adult specialists (e.g. domestic abuse, mental health, substance misuse) within teams
Promotes collaborative and solution-focused practice
Uses structured tools for risk assessment and intervention
Supports reflective supervision and continuous development
This model is nationally recognised for improving outcomes and supporting social workers effectively.

Why West Berkshire Is a Great Place to Live and Work

West Berkshire offers an excellent balance of rural charm and modern convenience:

Stunning countryside including the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Vibrant market towns such as Newbury, offering shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions.
Excellent transport links via the M4 corridor and rail connections to London and the South East.
Affordable living compared to many nearby counties.
Strong community feel with good schools and local amenities.
A supportive local authority committed to staff wellbeing, stability, and high-quality practice.
It’s a great place to enjoy both your career and your lifestyle.