Children's Senior Social Worker / Specialist Social Worker – MASH

Location: Ealing, London
Pay Rate: £39.04 per hour (Umbrella)
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Office Requirement: Minimum of 3 days per week office-based
Contract: Temporary
DBS: Enhanced DBS required

Job Overview

Ealing Council is seeking an experienced and motivated Children's Senior Social Worker / Specialist Social Worker to join its Front Door / Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) team.

This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled social work professional with strong safeguarding experience and a sound understanding of thresholds to play a key role in ensuring children and families receive the right support and intervention at the earliest opportunity.

Working within a fast-paced front door service, you will be responsible for screening and assessing incoming referrals, analysing information from multiple agencies and making informed decisions regarding safeguarding concerns, risk and the appropriate level of intervention.

You will work collaboratively with partner agencies, including police, health, education and other safeguarding professionals, to ensure timely, proportionate and child-centred decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake screening and initial assessment of referrals received into the Front Door / MASH service.
• Analyse information from a range of partner agencies to identify safeguarding concerns, risks and vulnerabilities.
• Apply strong professional judgement when determining thresholds for statutory intervention and appropriate support services.
• Make timely and informed decisions regarding referrals, ensuring children's needs and safety remain paramount.
• Identify cases requiring further assessment, early help intervention, child protection processes or other appropriate services.
• Work collaboratively with multi-agency partners to share information and coordinate effective safeguarding responses.
• Maintain accurate, comprehensive and timely case records, assessments and decision-making documentation.
• Provide professional advice and guidance to colleagues and partner agencies on safeguarding matters.
• Ensure all work is undertaken in accordance with relevant legislation, statutory guidance, local safeguarding procedures and best practice.
• Promote a child-centred approach, ensuring the voice, wishes and feelings of children are considered throughout the decision-making process.
• Contribute to effective risk management and the delivery of high-quality safeguarding services.

Essential Requirements

Suitable candidates must demonstrate:

1. MASH / Front Door Experience: Proven experience working within a Children's Front Door, MASH or similar safeguarding referral and screening service.
2. Knowledge of Thresholds: Strong knowledge and practical application of safeguarding thresholds, including the ability to make sound professional decisions regarding levels of intervention and support.
3. Professional Qualifications: A recognised Social Work qualification and current registration with Social Work England (SWE).
4. UK Passport or a full right to work in the UK

Additional Requirements

• Enhanced DBS clearance is required.
• A valid driving licence is not essential for this position.
• Excellent analytical, assessment and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication and multi-agency working abilities.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Confidence in making timely, evidence-based safeguarding decisions.

Working Arrangements

• Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm.
• Minimum of 3 days per week working from the office.
• Remaining working days may be undertaken remotely, in line with the service's current hybrid working arrangements.
• The office attendance requirement is currently a minimum of 3 days per week. Any anticipated changes to this arrangement within the next 3 months are to be confirmed by the service.

Qualifications and Registration

• Recognised Social Work qualification (essential).
• Current registration with Social Work England (essential).
• Enhanced DBS clearance required.

Why Apply?

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Children's Social Worker looking to utilise their safeguarding expertise within a busy and supportive MASH environment. You will have the opportunity to influence important safeguarding decisions, work alongside a range of multi-agency professionals and contribute to positive outcomes for children and families across Ealing.

Pay Rate: £39.04 per hour (Umbrella).

If you have strong MASH experience, excellent knowledge of safeguarding thresholds and the confidence to make informed decisions in a front door setting, we would welcome your application.

For more information, please contact Shivashni Govender at LinsCare.