At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families, completing assessments and delivering meaningful interventions.
- Company: Join Staffordshire County Council's dedicated Children’s Services team.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid working, training access, and discounts on lifestyle perks.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working flexibly and collaboratively.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification and recent frontline experience in children's services.
- Other info: Open to flexible hours and offers excellent career development opportunities.
Staffordshire County Council is looking for experienced Social Workers to join their Assessment & Staying Together Teams across Lichfield, Burton and Tamworth. This is a frontline role where you’ll work with children and families across the continuum of need — from Child in Need and Child Protection through to care proceedings where required, with a real focus on helping families create safe and sustainable change.
You’ll be joining a service that is committed to restorative, relationship-based practice, with access to training, reflective supervision, and a supportive team environment.
About the RoleAs a Social Worker in Assessment & Staying Together, you’ll complete high-quality assessments, manage risk, and deliver meaningful interventions that help children remain safely within their family networks wherever possible. You’ll work closely with partner agencies and internal teams under Staffordshire’s District Model, ensuring children get the right help at the right time.
Key responsibilities- Complete Section 17 Child & Family Assessments and Section 47 enquiries, with clear analysis and timely decision-making
- Hold and progress CIN and CP plans, maintaining purposeful oversight of risk and improving outcomes for children
- Undertake direct work with children and families to strengthen engagement, promote safety, and reduce escalation
- Use a restorative approach to build sustainable safety planning with families and their wider support networks
- Participate in strategy discussions, multi-agency meetings, core groups and key planning forums
- Produce high-quality records and reports that reflect professional curiosity, evidence, and strong risk management
- Support progression into pre-proceedings (PLO) and court work where necessary, ensuring robust planning and permanence thinking
Staffordshire is committed to a relational and restorative way of working — building strong relationships, working with families rather than to them, and supporting safe family-led plans wherever possible. Practice is strengths-based, child-focused, and rooted in partnership working, with an emphasis on purposeful interventions that create long-term change.
What you’ll receive- Access to training and regular supervision
- Vivup benefits platform, including discounts on retail, restaurants, gyms and more
- Hybrid working (typically 2–3 days per week office-based, flexing around visits/duty and team requirements)
- Free on-site parking
- Openness to discussions around part-time hours, compressed hours, or a 4-day week (where service need allows)
- Social Work qualification (Degree / DipSW)
- Social Work England registration
- Recent experience in frontline children’s services (assessment, CIN/CP, safeguarding)
- Strong assessment and risk management skills with confident decision-making
- Ability to work at pace while maintaining quality and clear case recording
- Enhanced DBS and right to work in the UK
If you’d like to be considered (or want a quick confidential chat first), get in touch: Emily Cooper (phone number removed) | Referral bonus available – know someone who’d be great for this role? Refer them to us and you could earn up to £500 (subject to terms).
Senior Social Worker in Lichfield employer: Sheldon Phillips Ltd
Contact Detail:
Sheldon Phillips Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Worker in Lichfield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who might have insights into Staffordshire County Council. A friendly chat can lead to valuable information and even referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of restorative practices and child protection frameworks. We want you to showcase your skills and experience confidently, so practice answering common questions related to the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to highlight your teamwork skills! Since this role involves working closely with partner agencies, make sure to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past during your interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we’re always here to help if you have any questions along the way.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Social Worker in Lichfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Social Worker role. Highlight your relevant experience in frontline children’s services and showcase your strong assessment and risk management skills. We want to see how you can make a difference!
Showcase Your Skills: In your application, don’t just list your qualifications—show us how you've applied them in real situations. Use examples that demonstrate your decision-making abilities and your commitment to restorative, relationship-based practice.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your experience and skills. Remember, quality over quantity!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sheldon Phillips Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of a Senior Social Worker. Brush up on your knowledge of Section 17 and Section 47 assessments, as well as the importance of risk management and child protection plans. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re ready for the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that highlight your skills in frontline children’s services. Think about times when you’ve successfully engaged with families or made tough decisions under pressure. This will help demonstrate your ability to handle the challenges of the role.
✨Emphasise Relationship-Building
Since Staffordshire County Council values restorative, relationship-based practice, be ready to talk about how you build rapport with families and partner agencies. Share examples of how you’ve worked collaboratively to create sustainable change, as this aligns perfectly with their practice model.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask during the interview. Inquire about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or how they support social workers in managing their caseloads. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.