Social Worker - Child Protection

at  Dorset Councils

Become a Child Protection Social Worker in Dorset Council, where you’ll be fully supported and appreciated throughout your career. In Dorset, we are dedicated to fostering an environment where every child can thrive, and we want our colleagues to do the same.
Our focus is on supporting families to meet the needs of their children and keeping children at home where it is safe to do so. You’ll find a variety of exciting challenges, working with our children, families, and partners, in a workplace that inspires you to grow professionally and personally.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

As a Lead Child Protection Practitioner, you will be working in a multi-agency child protection team with families who are subject to complex Child in Need plans, Child Protection plans, pre-proceedings, and court proceedings to:

• deliver the service in accordance with statutory responsibilities set out in the Children Act 1989 and other relevant legislation
• undertake assessments of children’s needs in accordance with Directorate policies and procedures
• create effective plans which are reviewed in a timely manner
• promote and safeguard the welfare of children
• provide support, information, and advice to families to help parents become more self-reliant
• prepare reports for courts and various meetings, presenting to a variety of professionals in different settings, and attend to give evidence in legal proceedings as required
• chair multi-agency meetings that support the development and review of plans
• maintain essential records, input, and maintain records on the core computer system as required
• work alongside the Lead Family Help Practitioner, providing child protection expertise and leading on statutory work
• undertake direct work with children and families to progress the plan
• undertake specialist assessments once training has been provided.

Child Protection Social Workers play a vital role in ensuring the safety and well-being of the most vulnerable children. This specialty within social work focuses on assessing and managing risks to children’s safety, working directly with families in complex situations to prevent harm, and ensuring children grow up in safe, stable environments. As a Child Protection Social Worker, you will:

• make a direct impact: engage in work that directly influences the lives of children at risk, ensuring their immediate safety and long-term well-being.
• complex and rewarding work: tackle challenging cases that require a high level of expertise and dedication, offering immense personal and professional satisfaction.
• specialised training: benefit from advanced training in areas such as motivational interviewing, restorative practice, and strength-based approaches to develop your skills and effectiveness.
• multi-agency collaboration: work closely with professionals from various agencies, including police, healthcare, and education, to provide comprehensive support to children and families.
• career progression: gain specialised experience that is highly valued in the field, opening doors to advanced roles and leadership positions