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- Tasks: Lead impactful social work for infants and mentor junior colleagues.
- Company: Join Blackpool Council, dedicated to safeguarding children and supporting families.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive pay rate, professional development, and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Must have SWE registration and experience in pre-birth assessments and child protection.
- Other info: Located in the town centre with modern facilities and excellent transport links.
Job Description
Senior Social Worker – 0-Infant Safeguarding | Blackpool Council
Position: Senior Social WorkerTeam: Families Safeguarding – 0-Infant TeamContract: LocumHours: 37 hours per weekPay Rate: £41.91 per hourLocation: Blackpool, Lancashire
Sheldon Phillips are working with Blackpool Council to recruit a Senior Social Worker to join their 0-Infant Team within the Families Safeguarding Service. This is a specialist team focused on the earliest stages of a child's life, offering a unique opportunity to lead high-impact social work and help shape the start of a child’s journey.
This role is perfect for someone with a strong background in pre-birth assessment, child protection, complex CIN work, and PLO/court proceedings. As a Senior Social Worker, you’ll also play a key part in mentoring less experienced colleagues, modelling reflective and strengths-based practice, and supporting the Team Manager in driving quality across the service.
What You Can Expect:
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A specialist service focused on pre-birth and infant safeguarding
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Meaningful work at the earliest and most crucial point in a child’s life
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Mentoring and development opportunities within an ambitious and values-led team
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A culture that supports innovation, relationship-based practice and professional development
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Town centre location with secure, modern parking and strong public transport links
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Committed senior leadership and a clear improvement agenda
Duties and Responsibilities:
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Undertake pre-birth assessments, including those under S17 and S47
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Manage complex CIN and CP cases with a clear, child-centred focus
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Work within the Public Law Outline and contribute to care proceedings
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Prepare high-quality court reports and safeguarding assessments
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Support the Team Manager in quality assurance, mentoring, and reflective practice
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Offer guidance and coaching to less experienced colleagues, modelling best practice
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Work closely with families using a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach
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Build trusted relationships that support sustained change
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Promote Blackpool’s values of working with families, not doing to them
Requirements:
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Social Work England (SWE) Registration
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Recognised Social Work qualification
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Significant experience in pre-birth, safeguarding and/or court work
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Ability to lead by example and support colleagues in their development
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Strong understanding of strengths-based and relationship-focused practice
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Commitment to improving the lived experience of children and families
Social Worker employer: Sheldon Phillips Limited
Contact Detail:
Sheldon Phillips Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges and practices related to pre-birth assessments and infant safeguarding. Understanding the nuances of these areas will help you demonstrate your expertise during any discussions or interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals already working in child protection and safeguarding roles. Engaging with others in the field can provide valuable insights and may even lead to referrals or recommendations for the position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with complex cases and how you've successfully managed them. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your skills in child-centred practice and mentoring less experienced colleagues.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Blackpool Council's values and recent initiatives in safeguarding. Showing that you align with their mission and are aware of their current projects can set you apart as a candidate who is genuinely interested in contributing to their goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in pre-birth assessments, child protection, and complex case management. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills and achievements in these areas.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for social work, particularly in infant safeguarding. Mention your understanding of strengths-based practice and how you can contribute to the team at Blackpool Council.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your Social Work England registration and any recognised qualifications. Emphasise your significant experience in safeguarding and court work, as these are crucial for the role.
Showcase Mentoring Experience: If you have experience mentoring or coaching less experienced colleagues, make sure to include this in your application. Highlight how you model best practices and support professional development within a team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sheldon Phillips Limited
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be prepared to discuss your background in pre-birth assessments and child protection. Highlight specific cases where you made a significant impact, as this will demonstrate your expertise and suitability for the role.
✨Emphasise Mentoring Skills
Since the role involves mentoring less experienced colleagues, share examples of how you've supported others in their professional development. This could include coaching, providing feedback, or leading training sessions.
✨Demonstrate Relationship-Based Practice
Discuss your approach to building trusted relationships with families. Provide examples of how you've used a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach to support sustained change in children's lives.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Anticipate questions related to complex cases and court proceedings. Think through your thought process and decision-making in these situations, as this will showcase your ability to handle challenging scenarios effectively.