Social Worker - Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub

The Role and Rewards

Salary: £43,454 - £55,984 per annum (market supplements included)
Contract Type: Fixed term or Secondment
Working Pattern: Full time - 37 hour per week
Location: Based at County Hall North, Horsham

As the first point of contact with children and families, our social workers in the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) within our Integrated Front Door can influence their entire journeys.

As a fast-moving service, everyone has a voice in relation to the development of the service and can make a difference to delivering the best outcomes for children and families. The MASH continues to develop practice and build strong relationships with a wide range of partner agencies. These include police, health, education, probation and housing professionals who are co-located and working together to ensure the best outcomes for children and young people.

We offer small practice teams of Social Workers managed by a Team Manager as well as additional flexible administrative support from Coordinators embedded within the service.

We provide regular group supervision and peer learning alongside specialist roles within the team to focus on the most vulnerable children. As a Social Worker, you'll have a minimum of 5 CPD and training days per year with access to excellent learning and development provisions such as Research in Practice and Community Care Inform, Social Work England fees paid and annual leave up to 29 days, as well as the option to buy up to 3 additional days.

As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance and are rewarded for the work they do. For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee, please visit our Rewards and Benefits page.

Internal candidates wishing to apply for this role will be considered for a secondment position. Please can you therefore discuss and agree this with your manager before applying for this position.

The Opportunity

As a Social Worker within the MASH team, you will be working to deliver first class support to vulnerable children and young people. We are looking for emotionally intelligent, organised, resilient individuals who can evidence the value they could add to our team. You will be able to build positive working relationships with children and young people, professionals, partner agencies and carers as well as respectfully challenge when appropriate. You will have an excellent understanding of the statutory requirements relating to keeping children safe.

You will be expected to demonstrate relevant theoretical Social Work concepts and practices relating to the provision of a professional Social Work service dealing with complex issues. There is a regular and intrinsic requirement to communicate in English with members of the public.

About You

Some of the key skills and experience required for this role include:

• Analysis and interpretation of complex information and data to enable prioritisation and support in planning next steps.
• Work as part of a team and partnership with key stakeholders to assess needs and implement outcomes.
• Communicate effectively to all audiences, both written and orally and negotiated and persuade where necessary.
• recognised Social Work qualification e.g. Degree in Social Work, Post Graduate Certificate in Social Work, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent as recognised by the relevant professional body.
• Completed relevant post qualifying training, have evidence of at least one year's experience post qualification and be registered with the relevant professional body.
• Knowledge of theoretical Social Work concepts and practices, with demonstrable examples of dealing with a breadth of complex issues and situations, for example, attachment, impact of developmental trauma and child development, motivational interviewing, relational practice, solution-focussed interventions and systemic working. A good understanding of anti-oppressive, anti-discriminatory and anti-racist practice in social work.
• You will need to be able to travel independently around the county, including to areas that may not be easily accessible by public transport. Pool cars and pool bikes are available.

For more information on the Key Skills as well as the Qualifications and/or experience required, please refer to the Job Description attached.

About Us

Here at West Sussex County Council, we are ambitious for our children and our workforce. We have made great improvements in our service for the children and families in West Sussex over 5 years. You will join us as at a key time on our continuous improvement journey. We are proud of the work we do and we are proud to be a supportive and inclusive employer.

That's why we need professionals, like you, who really want to be part of the positive change that is happening for children. Be part of an ambitious ongoing improvement plan and make a significant difference to children and families in West Sussex. There has never been a more rewarding time to join.

For further information about us and about working in Children's Social Care at West Sussex County Council, please visit Careers in children's social work in West Sussex

Further Information

The reference number for this role is CAFHE05829.

For an informal conversation or for further information regarding the role, please contact Sharon Russell at . For issues regarding your application, please contact

To apply, please follow the links below to upload your CV and application form. In your application form please outline your motivations for applying and explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role (please refer to the key skills) ensuring that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV. Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to Social Work England registration, an enhanced DBS check, 5 years referencing and a health check.

Equity, inclusion and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver. More information can be found on our application help page.