Adult Social Worker – Access & Safeguarding

Adult Social Worker – Access & Safeguarding

Location: North East England

Job Type: Temporary / Locum

Contract: 28 September 2026 – 24 December 2026

Hours: 37 hours per week

Working Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30am–5:00pm

Positions Available: 2

Rate:£197 per day

Adult Social Worker – Adult Access & Safeguarding

Connect Exec are currently recruiting for experienced Adult Social Workers to join an Adult Social Care Access and Safeguarding Team within a local authority in the North East of England.

This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified Social Worker with experience in Adult Social Care, access, screening, triage, safeguarding and complex case management to join a busy service supporting adults with care and support needs.

The successful candidate will work within the Adult Access Team, undertaking screening, triage and proportionate assessments of referrals received by Adult Social Care. You will be responsible for gathering information, assessing risk, determining appropriate outcomes and ensuring individuals receive timely advice, support, safeguarding intervention or onward referral in accordance with statutory duties, local policies and professional standards.

The Role

As an Adult Social Worker within the Access and Safeguarding Team, you will provide a high-quality social work service to adults with care and support needs.

You will undertake strengths-based conversations and proportionate assessments, identify needs and risks, and determine appropriate outcomes. You will also manage safeguarding concerns and work closely with health partners, care providers, voluntary organisations and other agencies to ensure timely and appropriate responses.

The role requires strong professional judgement, effective decision-making and the ability to manage competing priorities within a busy Adult Access environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Screen and assess new referrals and contacts received by Adult Social Care.
• Undertake screening, triage and proportionate assessments within the Adult Access Team.
• Gather and analyse information from individuals, families, professionals and partner agencies to inform decision-making.
• Undertake strengths-based conversations to identify needs, risks and desired outcomes.
• Complete Care Act assessments where appropriate.
• Apply relevant legislation, including the Care Act 2014 and Mental Capacity Act 2005.
• Identify and manage safeguarding concerns in line with safeguarding adults procedures.
• Apply local threshold guidance and make recommendations regarding Section 42 safeguarding enquiries where appropriate.
• Assess and manage levels of risk and take appropriate action to safeguard adults with care and support needs.
• Provide information, advice and signposting to individuals and carers to promote independence and prevent escalation of need.
• Determine appropriate outcomes, including advice, support, safeguarding intervention or onward referral.
• Liaise effectively with health partners, providers, voluntary sector organisations and other agencies.
• Coordinate timely responses to referrals and identified needs.
• Contribute to duty functions and support the effective management of workflow within the Access Team.
• Maintain accurate, timely and defensible records in line with organisational requirements.
• Manage complex Adult Social Care cases where required.
• Develop, implement, monitor and review care and support plans.
• Complete Mental Capacity Act assessments and best-interest decision-making where required.
• Undertake court work where required.
• Promote person-centred practice, independence, wellbeing, choice and control.
• Ensure safeguarding responsibilities are embedded throughout all aspects of practice.

About You

The successful candidate will have:

• A recognised Social Work qualification.
• Current Social Work England registration.
• Experience working within Adult Social Care.
• Experience of Adult Access, screening, triage or duty functions.
• Experience undertaking assessments and managing risk.
• Experience of safeguarding and complex case management.
• Sound knowledge of the Care Act 2014.
• Knowledge and experience of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
• Knowledge of safeguarding adults procedures and Section 42 enquiries.
• The ability to work independently and manage competing priorities within a busy service.
• Strong assessment, communication and partnership-working skills.
• The ability to exercise sound professional judgement and make appropriate decisions.
• Strong recording and report-writing skills.
• The ability to work effectively with health professionals, providers, voluntary organisations and other partner agencies.

Why Work with Connect Exec?

At Connect Exec, we specialise in Social Care recruitment and work closely with experienced Social Workers to find opportunities that match their skills, experience and career goals.

If you are a qualified Adult Social Worker with experience in Adult Access, screening, triage and safeguarding, and are interested in this opportunity, we would love to hear from you.

Apply today or contact Jody at Connect Exec for more information.