Consultant Social Worker

Position: Consultant Social Worker Rate: £38 per hour Location: Staffordshire Type: Agency Position

Are you an experienced Social Worker looking to step into a leadership role? We are seeking a skilled Consultant Social Worker to join our team, providing expert guidance and direction in the delivery of Children s Statutory Services. This agency position offers a competitive hourly rate and the opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping and supporting best practices within the Children s Advice and Duty (CHAD) Team.

As a Consultant Social Worker, you will serve as a professional practitioner, authorized to direct and oversee casework within the Children s Statutory Services. Your role will involve providing expertise in complex service delivery areas and supporting CHAD Team Managers as part of the management team.

• Engage with partners to listen, discuss, and negotiate pathways for children, ensuring their needs are met and safe decisions are made promptly.
• Chair Strategy Discussions and represent the team in MARAC, MAPPA, and other multi-agency meetings to secure professional agreement and the best outcomes for children and families.
• Develop and take on a specialist role in specific practice areas such as Child Sexual Exploitation, Child Criminal Exploitation, Missing Children, Female Genital Mutilation, Domestic Abuse, and more.

• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, policies, and procedures. Contribute to the development and refinement of procedures and policies as needed.
• Lead efforts to ensure that teams learn from serious case reviews and audits, improving practices and outcomes for children and families.
• Serve as a positive role model, promoting and maintaining high standards of professional social work practice across the team.
• Mentor and support Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSW), ASYE Social Workers, students, and other team members, fostering professional development and consistent good practice.
• Conduct case audits and participate in safeguarding and other types of audits.
• Lead initial investigations into Child Protection referrals and initiate statutory protective actions when required.
• Intervene effectively in crisis situations and explore alternatives to accommodating children and young people.
• Consult with the on-call manager on critical issues and escalate concerns about ineffective safeguarding arrangements within or outside the service.

• Ensure clear, concise, and accurate record-keeping and maintain good file management practices across the team.
• Provide advice, guidance, and coaching to partner agencies and other Children s Services teams.

• Report urgent issues to the Team Manager or Service Manager, particularly those likely to attract press or public interest.
• Liaise with internal and external agencies to provide information and support to children and their families, encouraging their participation in the process.
• Gather and report feedback from children, parents, team members, and multi-agency partners to contribute to improving practices and procedures.
• Ensure that all partner agencies consider consent and take a holistic approach to family issues and needs.

• Competitive hourly rate of £38.
• Leadership role with significant impact on service delivery and outcomes for children.
• Collaborative work environment with opportunities for professional development and mentorship.

• Proven experience in a senior social work role, with a strong understanding of statutory children s services.
• Expertise in complex case management and a track record of ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and policies.
• Strong leadership, communication, and mentoring skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a multi-agency framework.

If you are a driven and experienced social worker ready to take on a leadership role, we want to hear from you. Apply today and make a difference in the lives of children and families.

For more information, contact Emily Cooper at (phone number removed) or email (url removed)