At a Glance
- Tasks: Make critical decisions to safeguard children and improve family outcomes.
- Company: Join Northamptonshire Children's Trust, a leader in child welfare.
- Benefits: Competitive pay of £36 per hour with hybrid working options.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of children's services and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's social care and strong safeguarding knowledge required.
Northamptonshire Children's Trust is seeking an experienced and skilled MASH Decision Maker to join our Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub. This is an exciting opportunity to work at the front door of Children's Services, playing a vital role in safeguarding children and improving outcomes for families. Working within a fast-paced multi-agency environment, you will be responsible for screening contacts and referrals, gathering and analysing information from partner agencies, and making timely, proportionate, and defensible decisions to ensure children receive the right support at the right time.
As a MASH Decision Maker, you will contribute to driving high-quality services forward and work collaboratively with partners to achieve positive outcomes for children, young people, and families across Northamptonshire.
Location: Criminal Justice Centre, 700 Pavilion Drive, Northampton, NN4 7SL
Pay Rate: £36 per hour
Hours: 37 hours per week
Working Pattern: Hybrid working, 2 days in the office and 3 days working from home (subject to business needs)
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide high-quality casework decisions and operational oversight of referral information.
- Make informed safeguarding decisions regarding the welfare and safety of children within 24 hours of referral.
- Screen incoming contacts and referrals, assessing risk and identifying safeguarding concerns.
- Work closely with MASH partners to gather and analyse information from multiple agencies.
- Contribute to threshold decision-making and recommend appropriate service interventions.
- Ensure the child's voice is central to all assessment and decision-making processes.
- Provide professional advice and expertise to partner agencies, promoting high-quality safeguarding practice.
- Support a relationship-based and strengths-focused approach to practice.
- Balance strengths and concerns through clear risk analysis and effective safety planning.
- Demonstrate professional curiosity, critical thinking, and sound professional judgement.
Skills/Experience:
- Significant experience within Children’s Social Care, with a strong safeguarding and child protection background.
- Proven experience working within a MASH, Front Door, Assessment, Duty, or Child Protection service.
- Strong knowledge of referral screening, information gathering, risk assessment, and threshold decision-making.
- The ability to analyse complex information and make balanced, timely, and defensible decisions in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience working effectively within multi-agency settings and building positive professional relationships.
- A commitment to relationship-based and strengths-focused practice, ensuring children's lived experiences remain at the centre of decision-making.
- Confidence in applying professional judgement and providing constructive challenge where required.
- Sound knowledge of current legislation, statutory guidance, safeguarding procedures, and developments within Children’s Social Care.
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. As this role is eligible for an Enhanced DBS check, applicants are required to declare any cautions and convictions that are not protected under current filtering rules.
If you are an experienced Children’s Social Worker with a strong background in safeguarding, MASH, Assessment, Duty, or Child Protection services, we would love to hear from you. This is a fantastic opportunity to join Northamptonshire Children's Trust and make a real difference at the front door of Children’s Services, ensuring children and families receive the right support at the right time.
MASH Decision Maker in Northampton employer: Opus People Solutions Ltd
Opus People Solutions Ltd is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises sustainable outcomes for children and families. With a focus on professional development, employees have access to growth opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact in their community while working in a hybrid role that promotes work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land MASH Decision Maker in Northampton
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Opus People Solutions Ltd.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Opus People Solutions Ltd!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Opus People Solutions Ltd, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Opus People Solutions Ltd or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace MASH Decision Maker in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Opus People Solutions Ltd:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Opus People Solutions Ltd! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Opus People Solutions Ltd
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
