Social Worker - Safeguarding

Apply through Sheldon Phillips Recruitment Agency - https://www.sheldon-phillips.com/

Tameside Council are looking for an experienced Social Worker to join their Safeguarding Team on a locum basis. This is a strong opportunity for someone who is confident holding long-term statutory work, managing risk effectively, and building purposeful relationships with children and families to deliver safe and meaningful outcomes.

This role would suit a practitioner who is relationship-led, organised, and confident working within a supportive safeguarding service.

As a Social Worker in Tameside’s Safeguarding Team, you will hold a caseload of children and families subject to Child Protection, Child in Need, and other long-term statutory plans. You will be responsible for completing visits, progressing assessments and plans, and ensuring children are safeguarded through clear, consistent, and restorative intervention.

This is a frontline safeguarding role within a local authority that places strong emphasis on restorative direct practice with families. You will work closely with children, carers, and partner agencies to assess need, manage risk, and progress plans that are child-focused and outcome-driven. The team offers a supportive working environment, with senior management present in the office, access to the same training opportunities offered to permanent staff, and flexibility around condensed hours where needed. The role is based on a hybrid working pattern of 2-3 days per week in the office.

Key responsibilities

• Hold a caseload within a busy Safeguarding Team
• Manage Child in Need and Child Protection plans effectively
• Undertake statutory visits and direct work with children and families
• Use restorative practice to build and maintain effective working relationships
• Assess risk and progress plans in line with statutory responsibilities
• Work closely with partner agencies to support safe and timely decision-making
• Maintain accurate, analytical, and up-to-date case recording
• Contribute to positive outcomes through consistent long-term intervention

Requirements

• Social Work England registration
• Qualified Social Worker status
• Previous experience in Safeguarding, Child Protection, or long-term children’s services teams
• Strong understanding of statutory intervention, risk management, and care planning
• Confidence in direct work and relationship-based practice with families
• Ability to manage a varied caseload and work effectively in a busy service
• Enhanced DBS and full compliance for locum work