Qualified Social Worker Children Services in Northallerton

We are currently recruiting an experienced and dedicated Qualified Social Worker to join the Disabled Children Service (DCS) based in Northallerton. This role involves working with children and young people with disabilities and their families, ensuring they receive appropriate support, safeguarding, and intervention to achieve positive outcomes. The successful candidate will manage a varied caseload, complete statutory assessments, develop care and support plans, work collaboratively with multi-agency professionals, and ensure all practice complies with current legislation, safeguarding procedures, and Social Work England standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of approximately 20–24 children and families.
• Undertake statutory assessments, child and family assessments, and reviews in accordance with relevant legislation.
• Develop, implement, and review child-centred care and support plans.
• Complete safeguarding enquiries and undertake risk assessments where appropriate.
• Work directly with children with disabilities and their families to identify needs and improve outcomes.
• Build positive working relationships with children, parents, carers, schools, health professionals, and partner agencies.
• Prepare accurate reports, assessments, court statements, and case recordings within statutory timescales.
• Ensure all case records are maintained accurately using the local authority's electronic recording system.
• Promote the welfare, rights, and voice of children while ensuring their safety remains paramount.
• Demonstrate effective assessment, analytical, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team while managing competing priorities effectively.

Essential Requirements

• Qualified Social Worker with a recognised Social Work qualification.
• Current Social Work England (SWE) registration with a valid SWE registration number.
• Minimum 3 years' post-qualified experience working within Children's Social Care.
• Five years of fully verifiable employment references, covering the previous five years.
• Enhanced DBS Certificate with Children's Barred List check (or willingness to undergo one if required).
• Mandatory training records (where applicable).
• Experience working with children with disabilities, safeguarding, child protection, or statutory children's services.
• Ability to manage complex caseloads independently.
• Excellent assessment, report writing, and communication skills.
• Sound knowledge of UK childcare legislation, safeguarding procedures, and statutory guidance.
• Full UK Right to Work.

Working Arrangements

• Candidates are required to work 5 days per week in the office during the first 4 weeks as part of their induction.
• Following the induction period, the working pattern will be reviewed.
• Typical working arrangements are 1 day working from home and 4 days based in the office and completing family or child visits.
• Travel within the local authority area will be required.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong safeguarding knowledge and statutory social work practice.
• Excellent assessment, analytical, and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and prioritise workload.
• Professional report writing and case recording skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to delivering high-quality, child-centred services.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality.