At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support social work teams in safeguarding children and young people.
- Company: Cardiff Council, dedicated to high-quality children's services.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible working, wellbeing sessions, and birthday gifts.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification and registration with Social Care Wales required.
We are currently recruiting for two experienced Principal Social Worker positions within Children's Services for Cardiff Council.
- Principal Social Worker - MASH
- Principal Social Worker - Intake & Assessment
Pay Rate: £41.58 Umbrella
Full-time preferred. Agile and flexible working available.
These are fantastic opportunities for experienced frontline practitioners looking to step into a leadership role where you can support practice development, lead on decision making, and help shape high-quality safeguarding services for children and young people.
Principal Social Worker - MASHThis is a fast-paced and rewarding role within MASH, supporting the Team Manager in delivering high-quality safeguarding responses using the Signs of Safety approach.
Key responsibilities include:
- Supporting and supervising a small sub-team under the guidance of the Team Manager
- Leading on staff development and supervision
- Chairing and managing high-risk Strategy Meetings on a rota basis
- Supporting with referral 'ragging', allocations, and authorising assessments
- Working closely with partner agencies to promote effective multi-agency safeguarding practice
- Supporting service development and participating in Task Force Groups
- Making confident, timely decisions within pressured safeguarding timescales
This role requires strong experience in risk assessment, safeguarding decision making, and the ability to work proactively within a high-pressure environment. Please note: Principal Social Workers within MASH are expected to work on-site 2 days per week on a rota basis alongside their counterpart to support the Team Manager.
Principal Social Worker - Intake & AssessmentWe are also seeking an experienced Principal Social Worker for the Intake & Assessment Team. The successful candidate will need:
- Strong frontline Children's Services experience
- Previous experience line managing Social Workers
- Confidence deputising for the Team Manager when required
- Experience overseeing allocations, safeguarding decisions, and performance management
- Ability to support and develop staff within a busy assessment environment
This role will report directly into the Operational Manager and would suit a confident practitioner with strong leadership and operational experience.
To apply for this role, you will need to hold:
- A relevant Social Work Qualification
- Registration with Social Care Wales
- Enhanced DBS registered on the update service or be happy to apply for a DBS
- 3 Years of referencing
- Driving license with access to a car
Benefits of working for Hoop:
- 20 years' experience of the Social Work market
- Your local agency based in Cardiff
- Welsh-speaking consultant available should you wish to converse in Welsh throughout your job search
- PAYE and Umbrella payroll options available - you choose!
- Dedicated point of contact (support team to cover whilst on leave)
- Twice weekly payroll
- Actively supplying every Local Authority in South/West Wales and South West England
- Refer a friend scheme available
- Birthday gifts (after 1 year in service)
- Wellbeing sessions
Given the nature of the role, only applications from individuals with a social work qualification and registration with either professional body - Social Care Wales / Social Work England can be considered. Please only apply if you meet this criteria.
Please contact Sarah Leigh at Hoop Recruitment if you want to find out more.
Principal Social Workers - Childrens Services x 2 MASH Intake employer: Hoop Social Work
Cardiff Council is an exceptional employer for Principal Social Workers, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment that prioritises the development of its staff. With flexible working options, a strong focus on employee wellbeing, and opportunities for professional growth, you will be empowered to lead high-quality safeguarding services while making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people in Cardiff. Join a dedicated team where your expertise will be valued and your contributions will help shape the future of children's services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Social Workers - Childrens Services x 2 MASH Intake
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who are already working at Cardiff Council. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about the roles and even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on the Signs of Safety approach and recent safeguarding practices. We want you to showcase your knowledge and experience confidently when discussing how you can contribute to the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to highlight your leadership skills! Whether it’s supervising a team or making tough decisions under pressure, make sure you’ve got examples ready to share that demonstrate your capability in these areas.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way in landing that Principal Social Worker role.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Social Workers - Childrens Services x 2 MASH Intake
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience in Children's Services. We want to see how your skills align with the Principal Social Worker role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your frontline experience and leadership abilities!
Showcase Your Decision-Making Skills:In your written application, emphasise your ability to make confident, timely decisions under pressure. We’re looking for candidates who can demonstrate their experience in risk assessment and safeguarding, so share specific examples that illustrate your expertise.
Highlight Team Leadership Experience:Since this role involves supervising a small sub-team, it’s crucial to mention any previous experience you have in leading and developing staff. We want to know how you’ve supported your team in the past and how you plan to do so in this new role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for the position. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hoop Social Work
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the Signs of Safety approach and any relevant safeguarding legislation. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the theory, but that you can apply it in practice.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams or supported staff development in your previous roles. Highlighting your experience in managing high-risk situations and making timely decisions will demonstrate your readiness for a Principal Social Worker position.
✨Understand Multi-Agency Work
Familiarise yourself with how different agencies collaborate in safeguarding practices. Be ready to discuss your experience working with partner organisations and how you’ve contributed to effective multi-agency responses in the past.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, challenges they face, and how they measure success in their safeguarding efforts. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
