At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safeguarding practices and support multi-agency collaboration to protect children and families.
- Company: Thurrock Council, dedicated to improving outcomes for children and young people.
- Benefits: Generous leave, flexible working, ongoing training, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Join a supportive team committed to strengths-based, relationship-focused practice.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while championing innovative safeguarding practices.
- Qualifications: Social Work degree, registration with Social Work England, and significant experience in children's social care.
The predicted salary is between 45624 - 52038 £ per year.
Salary: £45,624 to £52,038 per annum
Grade: F
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
About the department
Thurrock's Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) is the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns relating to children and young people. Bringing together key partner agencies, including Children's Services, Police, Health, Education and Early Help, the MASH provides a coordinated approach to information sharing, risk assessment and decision-making to ensure children and families receive the right support at the right time.
About the role
We are seeking an exceptional, engaging and committed individual to join Thurrock's Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) as Practice Manager. This role is ideally suited to an experienced and qualified Social Worker at Senior Practitioner level or above who is passionate about delivering high-quality safeguarding practice and improving outcomes for children and families.
This is a unique and exciting opportunity to provide practice leadership within a dynamic multi-agency environment, supporting the MASH Team to assess risk, make timely and proportionate threshold decisions, and work collaboratively with partner agencies to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people in Thurrock. As a Signs of Safety local authority, we are committed to strengths-based, relationship-focused practice, and the successful candidate will play a key role in embedding these principles across the service.
The Practice Manager will provide oversight and support in relation to child protection, children in need and Early Help contacts, ensuring robust decision-making, effective information sharing and timely responses for children and families. The role will also be instrumental in supporting the implementation of the Families First agenda, promoting earlier intervention, whole-family working and strong multi-agency collaboration to ensure families receive the right support at the right time.
The post holder will undertake complex risk assessments, provide practice guidance and quality assurance, deputise for the Team Manager where required, and promote compliance with relevant legislation, statutory guidance, local policies and procedures. This is an opportunity to contribute to service development, champion excellent practice and help shape the future of safeguarding and family help services within Thurrock.
Requirements:
- Be registered with Social Work England and hold a social work degree/masters
- Subject to an Enhanced DBS Check
- Experience within a multi-agency/front door team
- Extensive understanding of threshold and intervention
- Knowledge of universal support and Early Help Services
- Be present in the office for a minimum of two days per week
This role offers the chance to make a real difference by championing Signs of Safety practice and supporting the delivery of the Families First agenda, helping families build on their strengths and access the support they need before issues escalate.
What we're looking for:
- Significant post-qualifying experience within Children's Social Care, including safeguarding, child protection and Early Help.
- Excellent analytical and decision-making skills, with the ability to assess risk, apply thresholds and make informed recommendations in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience of providing practice leadership, coaching and support to social workers and multi-agency professionals.
- A strong understanding of relevant legislation, statutory guidance and safeguarding procedures, including Working Together to Safeguard Children.
- Experience of working effectively within a multi-agency setting, building positive relationships with partner organisations and promoting effective information sharing.
- A commitment to strengths-based, relationship-focused practice and the principles of Signs of Safety.
- The ability to support and drive service improvement, including the implementation of the Families First agenda and the delivery of high-quality early intervention and family help services.
- Excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.
Essential Qualifications:
- Social Work qualification (Degree, Masters, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent).
- Registration with Social Work England.
- Evidence of Continued Professional Development.
- Significant post-qualification experience working with children and families, including experience at Senior Practitioner level or above.
DBS Check:
Enhanced DBS check with Children's Barred List check required.
Benefits of Working with us:
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
- Ongoing training and professional development
- Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
- Staff discounts and local offers
- A supportive and inclusive working environment
Closing Date: (Redeployment Only): 13th August 2026
Closing Date (Internal & External): 23rd August 2026
Interview Date: To Be Confirmed
Practice Manager - MASH employer: Allscreens Nationwide Ltd
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Practice Manager - MASH
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Allscreens Nationwide Ltd.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Allscreens Nationwide Ltd!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Allscreens Nationwide Ltd, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Allscreens Nationwide Ltd or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Practice Manager - MASH
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Allscreens Nationwide Ltd:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Allscreens Nationwide Ltd! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Allscreens Nationwide Ltd
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
