Senior Social Worker – Children’s Services

Our client is recruiting two experienced Senior Social Workers to join their Duty and Assessment Service within Children’s Services in Barnsley. This is an exciting opportunity to work within one of four Assessment Teams, co-located with police colleagues at Wombwell Police Station, delivering timely, high-quality assessments for children and families.

The Assessment Teams undertake statutory assessments within 40 working days, working collaboratively with families to determine the most appropriate intervention. Following assessment, cases will either step down to Early Help, close to Children’s Social Care, or transfer to long-term social work teams where required.

This is a short-term intervention service with a strong focus on quality, timeliness, and risk-informed decision-making.

Service Model:

Four Assessment Teams operating on a rota basis

One week on duty followed by three weeks off duty

During off-duty weeks, social workers complete assessments and develop intervention plans

Clear pathways to Early Help, long-term teams, or case closure

Key Responsibilities:

Undertake high-quality statutory assessments with children and families within 40 working days.

Manage duty allocations during the duty week while maintaining effective decision-making at pace.

Identify need and risk, ensuring assessments lead to the right intervention at the right time.

Work collaboratively with families, police, and partner agencies to safeguard children.

Develop clear, outcome-focused plans and ensure timely progression of cases.

Record high-quality case notes and assessments in line with performance expectations.

Support a culture of reflective, evidence-based practice within a performance management framework.

Working Pattern

Full-time post

Hybrid working model

Minimum 3 days per week office-based

5 days office-based during duty week

Current work base: Wombwell Police Station

Skills and Experience Required

Degree level qualification in Social Work (or equivalent).

Registered with Social Work England.

Significant post-qualified experience within Children’s Services.

Experience in Duty and Assessment or fast-paced assessment teams.

Ability to work confidently under pressure and make timely decisions.

Strong understanding of risk, thresholds, and statutory responsibilities.

Passion for improving outcomes and lived experiences for children and families.

Eligible to work in the UK.

Benefits of Working in this Authority

Competitive agency rate of £35 per hour.

Clearly structured Duty and Assessment model.

Supportive and visible management team.

Collaborative working environment co-located with police.

Opportunity to focus on high-quality short-term intervention work.

Why Liquid Personnel?

Free DBS and compliance service

Twice weekly payroll and ‘Faster Pay’ service, getting you paid more quickly

Access to exclusive roles that aren’t available from other agencies

Free access to Liquid’s exclusive social work training and CPD portal

Your own dedicated consultant with extensive social work knowledge

Access to a wide selection of social work positions across the UK

“Refer a Friend” bonus – get £500 for each social worker you refer who we successfully place*

“Find your own job” bonus – get £250 for bringing your own position to us *

Liquid Personnel is an equal opportunities employer. Liquid Personnel Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy. * Terms and conditions apply to our bonus schemes.

Reasonable Adjustments:

If you consider yourself to have a disability or require any reasonable adjustment during the recruitment process or within the workplace, please highlight this at the earliest opportunity by contacting our team. With this information, we will provide appropriate support to you throughout the process and into your work placement.

We are unable to support or accept applications from candidates who are residents within the Red or Amber list of the Code of practice for the international recruitment of health and social care personnel in England, based on the World Health Organisation (WHO) Workforce Support and Safeguard List.

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