3 Month Contract with a local Authority

Job Purpose

• The Senior Social Worker will be the main point of contact following First Point of Contact (FPOC) for public services for public and agency contact regarding concerns about the welfare and protection of children. The role will be to consider level of threshold met (in line with Shropshire’s threshold document and the policy and legislative framework) in regard to concerns about a child’s welfare, based on presenting concerns and historical context and to make a timely decision regarding next steps.  Should a strategy discussion/meeting be required it is the role of the Senior Social Worker to facilitate/convene this meeting in order to promote the sharing of information with key agencies in order to consider risk and determine the appropriate level of intervention. Close relationship working is required across all partner agencies, EDT, FPOC and children’s social work teams. The post holder will record information on manual and electronic systems.  
  

Key Duties/Accountabilities

• Responsible to the COMPASS Team managers and Service Manager for Compass and Assessment Team North and South, who are in turn responsible for the post holder’s health and safety, training and development.
  
• Expected to lead and/or contribute to a range of projects and build relations with both internal and external partners in order achieve specified outcomes, but will not have direct authority over those involved.
  
• Responsible for taking Initial Contact Team calls where requested to do so.
  
• Inputting information into the LCS record management system or any other IT system as required.
  
• Liaise with HAU (police), Health,  and other colleagues within Compass.
  
• Comply with the policies and procedures set out by Shropshire Council, the Data Protection Act, Information Sharing Guidance and Working Together to Safeguard Children (2015)
  
• Retrieve files from Records Management where these are necessary to inform decision making.
  
• Ensuring standard letter responses to agencies are sent as appropriate, including outcome of referral notifications.
  
• Liaising with assessment and case management teams in relation to allocation of cases for assessment.
  
• Consider all information presented in a concerns form that requires a first steps/final decision in regard to concerns about a child’s welfare, being clear what level of need/threshold is met an provide a clear and coherent rationale for all decisions.
  
• Where concerns forms are converted to a referral, ensuring all referrals are completed within 24 hours, with an outcome notification sent to the referring agency.
  
• Where immediate safeguarding concerns arise ensure timely facilitation of a strategy discussion/meeting, ensuring all key partners are involved in the sharing of information and have a copy of the record thereafter.
  
• Ensuring all minutes and records of strategy discussions/meeting are accurate, capture the key issues, decision making and rationale, with a clear action plan and are sent out in a prompt manner.
  
• To cover any meetings e.g DCT triage when required
  

Essential Experience Required.

• Expanded Experience in children’s safeguarding
  
• Minimum of 3 years permanent experience
  

Essential Qualifications Required

• Relevant Qualification in field of work
  

Additional information to note

• This role is 37 working hours per week.
  
• ​Enhanced DBS is required for this role
  

The role closes on 11/08/25