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 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
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who have experience with 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 knowledge of safeguarding legislation and local procedures. We recommend practising common interview questions related to decision-making and risk assessments to show you’re ready for the fast-paced environment.
✨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
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing that role! We’ve got all the latest opportunities listed, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace MASH social worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the MASH social worker role. Highlight your relevant experience in statutory children’s social care and any specific work within i-ART or similar teams. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Decision-Making Skills: In your application, emphasise your ability to make confident and timely decisions under pressure. Share examples of how you've handled safeguarding situations before, as this is crucial for the role. We love seeing real-life scenarios that demonstrate your expertise!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and experience at a glance.
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 helps us keep everything organised on our end!
How to prepare for a job interview at We Do Social Work
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance, especially the Children Act 1989/2004. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're well-prepared and understand the key responsibilities of the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work in i-ART or MASH teams. Highlight situations where you made critical decisions under pressure, as this will demonstrate your ability to handle the fast-paced environment of the Front Door service.
✨Communication is Key
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You’ll need to communicate effectively with multi-agency partners, so being able to convey your ideas and decisions in a straightforward manner will be crucial during the interview.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, challenges they face, or how they measure success in safeguarding outcomes. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.