Job Introduction
We’re recruiting a Senior Practitioner with experience in safeguarding and ideally some experience of supervising social workers.
The Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) is the front door to Children’s Social Care, all referrals come through to us and we triage how best to help children and their families.
We’re also an assessment team who undertake home visits and then complete the Children and Families Assessment and carry out child protection enquiries. The work is short term as those needing long term support will transfer out of MASH following assessment.
Currently we have three pods, which rotate on a weekly basis. Each pod has a designated Team Manager and between five and six Social Workers, with at least one senior practitioner in each.
Here’s an example of a typical three-week rota for the pod:
Week One: s.47 week
Receive calls from our partner agencies and give advice about safeguarding concerns, complete s.47 enquiries (single agency and jointly with the Police), attend strategy meetings and complete urgent assessments. On average, workers will pick up to four assessments a week on triage.
Week Two: Focus week
This is the opportunity to write up your assessments, arrange Family Support Meetings, complete additional visits and have supervision.
Week Three: Assessment week
Each social worker will have up to four child and family assessments a week. The assessments are pre-booked by a customer liaison officer, usually for 4pm and agency checks are also completed on your behalf. No assessments are booked on Fridays.
The team is based in our city centre offices and whilst you’ll be mainly based on site, there are opportunities to work from home. You’ll work 9am to 5:30pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 5pm on Fridays.
The role requires an enhanced DBS check and attracts an annual Retention Payment of £4,000 based on performance.

Role Responsibilities

• Engage in the team’s diary of three different activities.
• Participate in the duty rota.
• Undertake up to three Children and Families Assessments per week.
• Participate in giving advice and undertaking Section 47 safeguarding activities.
• Provide advice and guidance to unqualified colleagues.
• Provide supervision to a social worker.
• Provide advice and guidance to a school and under take more complex cases