At a Glance
- Tasks: Join Croydon's MASH team to support children and families through effective social work.
- Company: Croydon Council is a diverse employer committed to excellent social work practice.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible working, and extensive professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while working in a supportive and collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified Social Worker with experience in childcare settings.
- Other info: Hybrid working available; applications reviewed weekly for immediate start.
The predicted salary is between 44000 - 52000 £ per year.
Advanced Social Worker – MASH – Children – Croydon Council Salary: Grade 14 £51,522 – £53,607 Permanent – 36 hours per week Retention Payment – £2,500 Hybrid working Job Purpose We are seeking social work qualified and experienced social worker to join Croydon\’s Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). Croydon\’s MASH is the \’front door\’ for all new referrals for children who may need early help support or children\’s social care intervention, making important decisions about which services children need. We are committed to delivering excellent social work practice and services to our children and families. Our goal is to make the right decisions, at the right time and so help set a positive journey for all children. As a MASH Social Worker, you will work within a structure of 3 MASH teams, aligned to 3 Team Managers. You will also work alongside a newly formed Early Help Triage Team, comprising of Senior Early Help Navigators, a Substance Misuse Worker, and a domestic abuse IIDVA. As a MASH social worker, you will be responsible for a daily allocation of MASH referrals, where you will speak to parents, carers and young people and gather information from partner agencies towards analysing risk and need and helping identify the right service the child needs. You will have opportunities to provide consultation advice to professional referrers, as well as participating in multi-agency risk management forums. Candidates will need to have significant post qualifying experience, including in a statutory childcare setting. Prior MASH experience is useful but not essential. Candidates will need to be able to demonstrate good experience, knowledge and skills of ability to work in front line setting; being able to work with a complex and diverse range of needs and risks; and making effective and timely decisions involving child protection, child in need and Early Help interventions. Candidates will need to have had working positively with partner agencies and ability to develop collaborative working relationships with children and their families. Candidates will need to have good knowledge and understanding of legislative framework, relevant research and national developments, and policies relating to children\’s social care. Essential Requirements Qualified Social Worker, Social Work England registered. Working knowledge of national policy, strategy and developments regarding children\’s social care, and areas that impact on children\’s social care. Managing a daily allocation of MASH referrals within required time frames. Ability to manage competing priorities. Ability to engage positively and collaboratively with parents/carers towards discussing referrals, understanding the needs/risks to the child and identifying the right services to meet the child\’s needs. Engage effectively with multi-agency partners and being able to gather good quality information to assist with decision making. Good analytical skills. Demonstrate good written skills, so MASH activity is clearly recorded, up to date and analysis of risk and need and recommendations are clear. Good threshold decision making. Ability to work as part of a team and contribute to team and service development. The role will involve you using a range of systemic ideas in your work, including promoting a practice philosophy which seeks to empower service users, build on individual strengths, and develop strategies which support them to understand, manage and respond to risk. You will be required to be office-based a minimum of 3-days per week and at other times according to service needs. Why Join Us In Croydon, our Children\’s Services has an established Systemic Practice model, experienced leaders, and high support for practitioners. Croydon people and staff are diverse, and we celebrate difference through focus on anti-racist and anti-discriminatory practice. We are committed to delivering excellent social work practice and services to our children and families. As well as this we also offer the following: Our teams consist of experienced Social Workers at various levels Join a highly diverse workforce Reflective supervision is actively promoted and supported. The ethos at Croydon is very much about working together to make positive change Caseloads of Social Workers are very manageable enabling managers to know children well & ensure high standards of practice You will join an established team who can help you settle in and offer their expertise Benefits You will be valued for your skills and expertise, supported by the team of experienced professionals, as well as the management at Croydon Council, one of the largest employers in the borough. We also offer: Highly competitive compensation package Accredited Systemic Practice training A range of CPD opportunities 29-31 days (grade equivalent) annual leave in addition to Bank Holidays and option to purchase more A pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 20% Continuing Professional Development – genuine opportunities to grow, develop and specialise in your career Management development programmes Investment into your wellbeing Access to Employee Discount scheme with a range of programmes We promote flexible & hybrid working arrangements where possible to support a healthy work-life balance. Full time 36 Hours To view the Advanced Social Worker role profile click here Closing date: Sunday 27 July 2025 at 23:59 ( Please note applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis and interviews will take place before the end close date to successfully fill the positions as soon as possible. ) Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding Statement Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Subject to business needs, we will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace for part of their working week and work from home, or elsewhere, remotely for the rest of the time. As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role. Croydon council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. The Successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check
Adult\'s Safeguarding Social Worker - Immediate Start! employer: London Borough of Croydon
Contact Detail:
London Borough of Croydon Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Adult\'s Safeguarding Social Worker - Immediate Start!
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Croydon's Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) model. Understanding how MASH operates and the specific roles within it will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews and show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former social workers at Croydon Council. Engaging with them can provide insights into the team dynamics and expectations, which can be invaluable when discussing your fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your knowledge of relevant legislation and national policies affecting children's social care. Being able to discuss these confidently will set you apart as a candidate who is well-informed and passionate about safeguarding.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare examples from your past experience that showcase your ability to manage competing priorities and make effective decisions under pressure. This will help illustrate your suitability for the fast-paced environment of MASH.
We think you need these skills to ace Adult\'s Safeguarding Social Worker - Immediate Start!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in social work, particularly in safeguarding and MASH settings. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage referrals and collaborate with multi-agency partners.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for children's services and your commitment to safeguarding. Mention your understanding of the legislative framework and how your skills align with the role's requirements.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Provide examples in your application that showcase your analytical skills, particularly in assessing risk and need. Highlight any experience you have in making threshold decisions and how you've effectively documented these processes.
Demonstrate Collaborative Experience: Emphasise your ability to engage positively with parents, carers, and other professionals. Include specific instances where you've successfully worked within a team or contributed to service development, showcasing your collaborative approach.
How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough of Croydon
✨Know Your Legislation
Familiarise yourself with the legislative framework surrounding children's social care. Be prepared to discuss how these laws impact your decision-making process and the services you provide.
✨Demonstrate Collaborative Skills
Highlight your experience in working with multi-agency partners. Share specific examples of how you've successfully gathered information and collaborated with others to make informed decisions for children and families.
✨Showcase Analytical Abilities
Be ready to discuss your analytical skills, particularly in assessing risk and need. Prepare to explain how you approach complex cases and the methods you use to ensure thorough evaluations.
✨Engage with Real Scenarios
Prepare for situational questions that may arise during the interview. Think about past experiences where you managed competing priorities or made critical decisions under pressure, and be ready to share these stories.