Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct impactful assessments for children and families in a dynamic team environment.
- Company: Join a supportive authority focused on improving children's lives.
- Benefits: Earn £35 per hour, enjoy flexible working, and access exclusive training.
- Other info: Collaborative work with police and clear pathways for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in Social Work and experience in Children’s Services required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 70000 £ per year.
Our client is recruiting two experienced Senior Social Workers to join their Duty and Assessment Service within Children’s Services in Barnsley. This is an exciting opportunity to work within one of four Assessment Teams, co-located with police colleagues at Wombwell Police Station, delivering timely, high-quality assessments for children and families.
The Assessment Teams undertake statutory assessments within 40 working days, working collaboratively with families to determine the most appropriate intervention. Following assessment, cases will either step down to Early Help, close to Children’s Social Care, or transfer to long-term social work teams where required. This is a short-term intervention service with a strong focus on quality, timeliness, and risk-informed decision-making.
Service Model:
- Four Assessment Teams operating on a rota basis
- One week on duty followed by three weeks off duty
- During off-duty weeks, social workers complete assessments and develop intervention plans
- Clear pathways to Early Help, long-term teams, or case closure
Key Responsibilities:
- Undertake high-quality statutory assessments with children and families within 40 working days.
- Manage duty allocations during the duty week while maintaining effective decision-making at pace.
- Identify need and risk, ensuring assessments lead to the right intervention at the right time.
- Work collaboratively with families, police, and partner agencies to safeguard children.
- Develop clear, outcome-focused plans and ensure timely progression of cases.
- Record high-quality case notes and assessments in line with performance expectations.
- Support a culture of reflective, evidence-based practice within a performance management framework.
Working Pattern:
- Full-time post
- Hybrid working model
- Minimum 3 days per week office-based
- 5 days office-based during duty week
- Current work base: Wombwell Police Station
Skills and Experience Required:
- Degree level qualification in Social Work (or equivalent).
- Registered with Social Work England.
- Significant post-qualified experience within Children’s Services.
- Experience in Duty and Assessment or fast-paced assessment teams.
- Ability to work confidently under pressure and make timely decisions.
- Strong understanding of risk, thresholds, and statutory responsibilities.
- Passion for improving outcomes and lived experiences for children and families.
- Eligible to work in the UK.
Benefits of Working in this Authority:
- Competitive agency rate of £35 per hour.
- Clearly structured Duty and Assessment model.
- Supportive and visible management team.
- Collaborative working environment co-located with police.
- Opportunity to focus on high-quality short-term intervention work.
Senior Social Worker – Children’s Services (Duty & Assessment) in Barnsley employer: Liquid Personnel
Contact Detail:
Liquid Personnel Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Worker – Children’s Services (Duty & Assessment) in Barnsley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who might know about openings in Children’s Services. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of statutory assessments and risk-informed decision-making. We want you to showcase your experience confidently, so practice answering common questions related to Duty and Assessment roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to highlight your collaborative skills! In this role, working with families, police, and partner agencies is key. Share examples from your past experiences where teamwork made a difference in safeguarding children.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process! We’ve got all the resources you need to make your application stand out, plus it shows you’re serious about landing that Senior Social Worker position.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Social Worker – Children’s Services (Duty & Assessment) in Barnsley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in Duty and Assessment. We want to see how your skills align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Passion: Let us know why you’re passionate about improving outcomes for children and families. Share specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your commitment to making a difference in their lives. We love hearing about your motivation!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that are easy to read. Avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out, so we can quickly see why you’d be a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our organisation there. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Liquid Personnel
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of statutory assessments and the specific needs of children and families. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities outlined in the job description, especially around risk-informed decision-making and collaborative working.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in Duty and Assessment roles. Think of specific examples where you've successfully managed cases under pressure, and be ready to explain how you made timely decisions that positively impacted children and families.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, the support provided by management, and how success is measured within the Assessment Teams. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
✨Reflective Practice Matters
Be ready to discuss how you incorporate reflective practice into your work. Share examples of how you've used evidence-based approaches to improve outcomes for children and families, as this aligns with the culture they’re looking to foster.