At a Glance
- Tasks: Join the i-ART team to assess and triage children's social care referrals.
- Company: Cheshire East Council, committed to safeguarding children.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive pay, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Fast-paced role with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in statutory children's social care.
The predicted salary is between 37000 - 44000 £ per year.
Organisation: Cheshire East Council (or relevant authority)
Location: Base at Wyvern House with hybrid working arrangements
Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday (4:30pm finish on Fridays)
Rate: Capped agency rate (as agreed)
Role Purpose
An experienced and qualified Senior Social Worker is required to join the i-ART (Integrated Access and Referral Team) Front Door service. This is a fast-paced safeguarding and decision-making environment, acting as the first point of contact for children’s social care referrals. The successful candidate will be responsible for screening, assessing, and triaging contacts and referrals to ensure appropriate and timely safeguarding responses in line with statutory guidance and local procedures.
Key Responsibilities
- Work within the i-ART Front Door team to screen, triage, and assess referrals to children’s social care
- Make timely and informed threshold decisions in line with safeguarding procedures and statutory guidance
- Undertake risk assessments and determine appropriate levels of intervention (Early Help, Child in Need, Child Protection)
- Liaise effectively with multi-agency partners including police, health, education, and Early Help services
- Provide clear professional advice and decision-making support to referrers and partner agencies
- Ensure all safeguarding concerns are appropriately escalated in line with procedures
- Maintain accurate and timely recording on case management systems
- Contribute to a high-performing front door service ensuring consistency, quality, and safeguarding outcomes
- Participate in team meetings, supervision, and service development activity
Essential Requirements
- Qualified Social Worker with current Social Work England registration
- Significant post-qualified experience in statutory children’s social care
- Essential experience working within an i-ART / MASH / Front Door safeguarding team
- Strong knowledge of thresholds, safeguarding legislation, and statutory guidance (Children Act 1989/2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children)
- Ability to make confident, timely, and defensible decisions in a high-pressure environment
- Excellent communication, analytical, and recording skills
- Experience working within multi-agency safeguarding frameworks
MASH social worker in Crewe employer: We Do Social Work
Contact Detail:
We Do Social Work Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land MASH social worker in Crewe
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who have experience in MASH or i-ART teams. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings and even referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your safeguarding knowledge. Be ready to discuss real-life scenarios where you made tough decisions under pressure. This will show that you’re not just qualified, but also experienced and confident.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Check out our website for the latest job postings! We regularly update our listings, and applying directly through us can give you a better chance of landing that dream job in social work.
We think you need these skills to ace MASH social worker in Crewe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in statutory children’s social care and your understanding of safeguarding legislation. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Your Decision-Making Skills: In your written application, give examples of how you've made confident and timely decisions in high-pressure situations. This is key for the MASH social worker role, and we love to see real-life scenarios that demonstrate your expertise.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your writing clear and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to read through your application. Remember, we’re looking for strong communication skills, so let that shine through!
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’s super straightforward!
How to prepare for a job interview at We Do Social Work
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on the key legislation and guidance relevant to children's social care, especially the Children Act 1989/2004 and Working Together to Safeguard Children. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you understand the framework within which you'll be working.
✨Demonstrate Decision-Making Skills
Prepare examples from your past experience where you've had to make tough decisions under pressure. Highlight how you assessed risks and made informed choices, as this role requires timely and defensible decision-making in a fast-paced environment.
✨Showcase Your Multi-Agency Experience
Be ready to talk about your experience working with various agencies like police, health, and education. Share specific instances where collaboration led to positive outcomes, as this is crucial for the i-ART Front Door team.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
Since excellent communication is key in this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You might even want to do a mock interview with a friend to get comfortable discussing your experiences and qualifications.