Senior Social Worker – Assessment Team

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Social Worker – Assessment Team
Specialism: Children’s Services
Location: Suffolk, UK
Salary: Up to £42.50 Per Hour
Type: Temporary / Full Time

We are seeking an experienced Senior Social Worker to join a busy Assessment Team based in Suffolk. This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled practitioner with experience in statutory assessments, Child in Need, Child Protection and Looked After Children services. Working within a fast-paced frontline team, you will play a key role in safeguarding children, supporting families, and delivering high-quality social work practice while benefiting from a supportive management structure and flexible hybrid working.

Perks and Benefits

• Hybrid Working: Benefit from a flexible hybrid working arrangement with office attendance required three days per week.
• Condensed Working Hours: Opportunity to work condensed hours over four days to support work-life balance.
• Supportive Team Environment: Join a collaborative team committed to delivering high-quality children’s services.
• Professional Development: Receive regular supervision and opportunities to enhance your professional knowledge and practice.
• Varied Caseload: Manage a diverse statutory caseload, providing rewarding and meaningful frontline social work.
• Accessible Office Locations: Primarily based in Haverhill with opportunities to work from West Suffolk House depending on service requirements and caseload.

What You Will Do

• Undertake statutory assessments under Section 17 and Section 47 of the Children Act.
• Manage Child in Need (CIN), Child Protection (CP) and Looked After Children (LAC) cases.
• Develop, implement and review Child in Need and Child Protection Plans.
• Complete high-quality child and family assessments to identify needs, risks and appropriate interventions.
• Work effectively within a fast-paced assessment service while maintaining accurate case recordings.
• Attend Child Protection Conferences and contribute to multi-agency safeguarding planning.
• Build positive relationships with children, families and partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes.
• Ensure all statutory responsibilities are completed in accordance with legislation and local procedures.

Essential Requirements

• Qualified Social Worker with current Social Work England registration.
• Significant experience within a Children’s Assessment Team.
• Strong knowledge of Section 17 and Section 47 assessments.
• Experience managing Child in Need, Child Protection and Looked After Children cases.
• Ability to work effectively within a fast-paced frontline environment.
• Excellent assessment, safeguarding and risk management skills.
• The DfE Cover Sheet must be fully completed and submitted with every CV.

Why Suffolk?

Suffolk offers an excellent opportunity to work within a progressive children’s service that values collaborative practice, flexible working and professional development. With supportive leadership and varied frontline work, this role provides an ideal opportunity to make a positive difference to children and families.

Working with Ardent Social

At Ardent Social, we are passionate about connecting experienced social work professionals with high-quality opportunities across the UK. We pride ourselves on providing a transparent, supportive, and professional recruitment experience tailored to your career goals and aspirations.

Apply now to join the Assessment Team in Suffolk and take the next exciting step in your social work career with Ardent Social.