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- Tasks: Lead case management for children in care proceedings and support families with evidence-based assessments.
- Company: Join Cardiff Council's People & Communities Directorate, dedicated to high-quality social care.
- Benefits: Full-time role with opportunities for professional development and impactful work.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with HCPC registration and experience in child welfare.
- Other info: Collaborative environment focused on reflective practice and multi-agency partnerships.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Neway International are seeking a Principal Social Worker to join our client based with Cardiff Council.
Location: County Hall
Hours: 37 hours per week
Start Date: 26/01/2026
End Date: on-going
Start/End Time: 09:00 - 17:00
About the Client: Cardiff Council’s People & Communities Directorate is committed to delivering high‑quality, child‑centred social care services that promote safety, stability and positive outcomes. Their Locality Teams work collaboratively to ensure children and families receive timely, evidence‑based support, with a strong emphasis on reflective practice, professional development and multi‑agency partnership.
Key Responsibilities
- Hold a small caseload of children subject to care proceedings, typically 10–11 children across 4–5 families.
- Lead on all aspects of case management including statutory visits, care planning, reviews and court work.
- Complete high‑quality assessments using the DOH Framework and informed by the NSPCC Reunification Framework.
- Analyse risk, protective factors and capacity for sustained change within the child’s timescales.
- Work directly with children and families to support safe decision‑making around remaining or returning home.
- Draw on multi‑agency information and informal support networks to inform assessments and planning.
- Supervise Social Work Assistants and less experienced staff, providing monthly supervision and practice oversight.
- Chair strategy meetings, attend joint visits and ensure robust quality assurance of care plans and written work.
- Attend relevant meetings including Child Looked After Reviews.
- Take temporary allocation of cases where risks escalate for children allocated to your supervisees, until safe to step down.
Candidate Requirements
- Qualified Social Worker with current HCPC registration.
- Significant experience working with children and families subject to care proceedings.
- Strong understanding of trauma‑informed practice and its impact on parenting capacity and child development.
- Skilled in producing high‑quality, evidence‑based assessments and court reports.
- Experience using the DOH Framework of Assessment and knowledge of the NSPCC Reunification Framework.
- Ability to engage parents with differing learning styles and overcome barriers to participation.
- Confident in supervising and supporting staff within a strengths‑based, reflective environment.
- Excellent communication, analytical and organisational skills.
Principal Social Worker (Court Work) in Cardiff employer: Neway International Ltd
Contact Detail:
Neway International Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Social Worker (Court Work) in Cardiff
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in social work, especially those who have experience with Cardiff Council. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about the role and even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of trauma-informed practice and the DOH Framework. We want you to showcase your expertise and how it aligns with the council's values.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or colleagues to get comfortable discussing your experience with care proceedings and assessments. The more you rehearse, the more confident you'll feel.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. 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 Worker (Court Work) in Cardiff
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience and skills that match the job description. We want to see how your background aligns with the role of Principal Social Worker, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant expertise!
Showcase Your Experience: When detailing your work history, focus on your significant experience with children and families in care proceedings. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your understanding of trauma-informed practice and your ability to produce high-quality assessments.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read and get straight to the heart of your qualifications.
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 ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Neway International Ltd
✨Know Your Frameworks
Make sure you’re well-versed in the DOH Framework and NSPCC Reunification Framework. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these frameworks in your previous roles, as this will show your understanding of the key responsibilities outlined in the job description.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work with children and families in care proceedings. Highlight your case management skills and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This will demonstrate your capability to handle the responsibilities of the role effectively.
✨Reflective Practice Matters
Since the role emphasises reflective practice, think about times when you’ve used reflection to improve your work. Be ready to share how you’ve learned from experiences and how that has shaped your approach to social work.
✨Engage with Multi-Agency Work
Discuss your experience working collaboratively with other agencies. Prepare to explain how you’ve drawn on multi-agency information to inform assessments and planning, as this is crucial for the role at Cardiff Council.
