Social Worker - Safeguarding

Safeguarding Team | Bury Council | £36 per hour

Bury Council are looking for an experienced Social Worker to join their Family Safeguarding service on a locum basis. This is a strong opportunity for someone who is confident managing long-term statutory work, holding cases across Child Protection, Child in Need, and Court, and building effective relationships with children and families while managing risk.

This role would suit a practitioner who is organised, resilient, and experienced in safeguarding and care proceedings work.

Role Overview

As a Social Worker in Bury’s Family Safeguarding team, you will hold a caseload of children and families subject to Child Protection plans, Child in Need plans, and Court proceedings. You will be responsible for undertaking statutory visits, completing assessments, progressing care planning, and ensuring children are safeguarded through clear, timely, and evidence-based intervention.

This is a busy frontline safeguarding role requiring confident statutory practice and strong risk management. You will work closely with children, families, legal teams, and partner agencies to assess need, monitor progress, and implement plans that keep children safe. The role requires practitioners who are comfortable with long-term work, skilled in relationship-based practice, and able to produce high-quality court and statutory documentation. The team works on a hybrid basis, with 3 days per week in the office.

Key responsibilities

• Hold cases across Child Protection, Child in Need, and Court work
• Manage long-term safeguarding and care planning for children and families
• Undertake statutory visits and direct work with children and families
• Complete assessments, reports, and care plans in line with statutory requirements
• Prepare high-quality evidence and documentation for court proceedings
• Work closely with legal services and partner agencies to progress plans effectively
• Monitor risk, review outcomes, and adapt intervention where needed
• Maintain accurate, analytical, and up-to-date case recording

Benefits

• Competitive rate of £36 per hour
• Long-term statutory role within a Family Safeguarding team
• Opportunity to work across CP, CiN, and Court cases
• Hybrid working with 3 days in the office
• Valuable experience within a busy local authority safeguarding service
• Chance to make a direct impact through consistent and purposeful intervention

Requirements

• Social Work England registration
• Qualified Social Worker status
• Previous experience in Safeguarding, Child Protection, or long-term children’s services teams
• Confidence holding Child Protection, Child in Need, and Court work
• Strong understanding of risk, permanence planning, and statutory intervention
• Ability to produce clear, defensible assessments and reports
• 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.