Children's Social Worker - Family Help Team
Role: Temporary Location: Wareham (East Dorset) Pay: 38.00 - 45.00 per hour + 150 per week allowable expenses + travel
LOCUM CHILDREN'S SOCIAL WORKER JOBS IN DORSET
Dorset Council is seeking an experienced Children's Social Worker to join its Child Protection and Family Help Team in Wareham. This is an excellent opportunity for a Qualified Social Worker (QSW) to join an Ofsted-rated Outstanding local authority that places relationships and meaningful outcomes for children at the heart of everything it does.
Working with children, young people and families across Child in Need, Child Protection and Care Proceedings, you'll be part of a supportive and forward-thinking service committed to helping families make sustainable changes and achieve positive outcomes.
Why Dorset?
Dorset Council continues to invest in frontline practice as part of the national children's social care reforms. The service has strengthened its Multi-Agency Child Protection Team (MACPT). Ofsted recognised Dorset's strong and stable leadership, confident workforce and the positive difference being made for children and families. Practitioners report feeling valued, receiving reflective supervision, and working in an environment where leaders understand frontline practice.
You'll also work within Dorset's Safeguarding Families Together model, where domestic abuse, mental health, substance misuse and perpetrator specialists work alongside social workers to strengthen interventions and reduce risk.
You will work closely with trusted colleagues across disciplines to provide the right support at the right time, responding to the different needs of children and families in a joined-up and practical way.
About the Role
As a Locum Children's Social Worker within the Family Help Team, you will work across the continuum of need, including:
Child in Need
Child Protection
Pre-proceedings and Court Work
Care Planning and Intervention
You will be part of an integrated locality team, working alongside multi-agency partners to ensure children are safeguarded while families receive the right support at the right time.
Key Responsibilities
Deliver statutory social work services in accordance with the Children Act 1989 and 2004
Complete high-quality Child and Family Assessments
Support children and families through Child in Need, Child Protection and Care Proceedings
Undertake safeguarding investigations and risk assessments
Carry out direct work with children, young people and families
Prepare court statements, reports and care plans
Attend and contribute to multi-agency meetings
Maintain accurate case records and statutory documentation
Work collaboratively with education, health, police and partner agencies
Promote positive outcomes through strengths-based and restorative practice
Requirements
To be considered for this role, you will have:
Qualified Social Worker
Social Work England registration
Degree in Social Work or equivalent qualification
Minimum 3 years' post-qualified permanent experience within an English Local Authority Children's Services Team
Experience of Child Protection, Safeguarding, and Court Work
Enhanced DBS clearance
Full UK driving licence
Benefits
38.00 - 45.00 per hour
150 per week allowable expenses
Opportunity to work within an Ofsted Outstanding service
Supportive management and reflective supervision
500 referral bonus (Terms & Conditions apply)
Allowable expenses are payable where your home address is more than 30 miles from the designated work location hub, subject to Connect2Dorset Terms & Conditions.
About Connect2Dorset
Connect2Dorset is the managed service recruitment partner owned by Dorset Council, specialising in temporary, contract and interim opportunities across the authority. Our work is guided by strong values, ethical practice, trust and genuine care, and every penny of our profit is reinvested back into supporting local authority communities.
Connect2Dorset is a trading style of Dorset & Kent Commercial Services LLP, a joint venture between Dorset Council and Commercial Services Kent Ltd. We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.
Apply Now
If you're looking for your next locum social work opportunity within an Outstanding local authority, we'd love to hear from you.
Employment is subject to satisfactory Enhanced DBS clearance and suitable references. Contact us (url removed) Please log in to apply for this job or go ahead and register.
Connect2Dorset is a trading style of Dorset & Kent Commercial Services LLP - A joint venture between Dorset Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Dorset is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.
