assessment and safeguarding team - senior practitioner.

Job Purpose

The Senior Practitioner plays a vital role in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in Darlington. This position involves managing complex cases, leading child protection investigations, providing high-quality assessments, and supporting the team with guidance, supervision, and mentoring. The role is designed for experienced social workers with a strong commitment to child-centered and restorative practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead on complex assessments and interventions in line with statutory frameworks, including Section 17 and Section 47 of the Children Act 1989.

• Manage a caseload involving children in need, child protection, looked after children, and court proceedings.

• Provide supervision, guidance, and mentoring to less experienced social workers and practitioners.

• Attend and contribute to child protection conferences, legal planning meetings, and court proceedings.

• Maintain up-to-date and accurate case records and reports in line with council policies and statutory guidance.

• Promote and embed restorative practice, reflective supervision, and strengths-based approaches in daily work.

• Work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners including schools, health services, and the police.

• Participate in service development initiatives and quality assurance activities.

• Support management with case allocations, performance monitoring, and reflective practice reviews.

Essential Requirements

• Degree in Social Work (or equivalent qualification).

• Registration with Social Work England.

• Significant post-qualification experience within children's safeguarding or assessment teams.

• Strong working knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Children Act 1989, Working Together to Safeguard Children, and other safeguarding frameworks.

• Experience of managing complex casework and participating in court processes.

• Ability to supervise, coach, and support colleagues in practice improvement.

• Enhanced DBS check (Child Workforce) on the update service or willingness to obtain one.

Benefits and Working Conditions

• Competitive hourly rate (£30.60 per hour).

• Hybrid working arrangement: office-based at Darlington Town Hall with remote work flexibility.

• IT equipment provided (laptop, work mobile phone, and lone working safety device).

• Supportive management and access to regular supervision.

• Opportunities for continuing professional development and training.

Randstad Care acts as an employment business when supplying temporary staff and as an employment agency when introducing candidates for permanent employment with a client. Randstad Care is an equal opportunities employer and decisions are made on merits alone.

Did you know that Randstad Care have been awarded a place on the National Clinical Staffing Framework for the NHS? This means we will be able to bring you more opportunities within nursing & midwifery and clinical staffing.