South East England

Children's Services

Contract

Reference 2435

Title: Locum Social Worker – MASH Team
Location: London Borough of Sutton
Hourly Rate: £38.50 per hour
Job Type: Locum

Introduction:

Sheldon Phillips is looking for an experienced Social Worker to join the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) Team in the London Borough of Sutton. This is an excellent opportunity to be at the frontline of safeguarding, working in a fast-paced, multi-agency environment where timely decision-making is key to protecting vulnerable children.

About the Role:

As a MASH Social Worker in Sutton, you will play a critical role in screening and assessing incoming referrals to ensure children and families receive the right level of support. Your key duties will include:

Triaging and assessing referrals from professionals and the public to determine the appropriate level of intervention.
Conducting timely and thorough risk assessments in line with Sutton’s threshold criteria.
Liaising with police, health professionals, education staff, and other key agencies to gather and analyse information.
Making decisions on the next steps for cases, including referrals to Early Help, Child in Need, Child Protection, or specialist services.
Contributing to strategy discussions and joint investigations where there are concerns about significant harm.
Ensuring all assessments and decisions are accurately recorded in line with Sutton’s recording systems and safeguarding procedures.
Providing professional advice and guidance to partner agencies on safeguarding and referral processes.
Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of local policies and national legislation, including Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Participating in reflective supervision and continuous professional development to maintain best practice.

This role requires two days a week in the office, offering a balance of flexibility and team collaboration.

About You:

To be successful in this role, you must have:

A recognised social work qualification (Degree/Diploma in Social Work).
Current Social Work England registration.
At least two years of post-qualifying experience in frontline child protection or MASH social work.
Strong knowledge of MASH processes, thresholds, and decision-making frameworks.
Excellent analytical and assessment skills, with the ability to manage high volumes of referrals under tight deadlines.
Strong multi-agency working skills, with experience collaborating with police, health, education, and voluntary services.
A thorough understanding of the Children Act 1989, Working Together to Safeguard Children, and local safeguarding procedures.
Excellent communication and IT skills for recording and information sharing.

Benefits:

Competitive pay rate of £38.50 per hour.
Hybrid working model – only two days in the office per week.
Fast-paced, multi-agency working environment with excellent learning opportunities.
Supportive management and regular reflective supervision.
Access to training and professional development.
Referral bonus: We offer referral fees up to £500 cash for anyone you refer who is successfully placed!