About this role
Job summary
We are a dedicated team of experienced social workers working together to make decisions at the front door and determine the right level of support required for a child or family when concerns arise about their safety or well-being.We work closely with our Social Care and Early Help colleagues and partner agencies screening contacts about children and young people as well as holding consultations to advise and guide partner agencies about the right support required for an individual child and their family. As such, this is a non-case holding role.
We believe that supporting emotional resilience is always important, but particularly so when you are working with families experiencing complex and challenging circumstances.We will provide you with strong peer support, regular formal and informal supervision, group learning and team meetings. You will be further supported in your work through our excellent internal and external training learning offer including complimentary access to the Research in Practice, access to emotional wellbeing support/counselling.
This is an exciting opportunity to have real input into the efficient and effective delivery of social care in a nationally leading local authority. Our Children's Services is rated by Ofsted as Outstanding. This is an incredible achievement and something we are extremely proud of as it reflects the quality of social work practice at the Social Care Front Door.
Main duties of the job
To apply, you will have:
A recognised social work qualification and Social Work England registration. Significant social work experience and an in-depth knowledge of relevant legislation. Knowledge of Social Care Intervention thresholds. A firm belief in the importance of social work values and practice. A strengths based and creative and innovative approach to problem solving. An excellent communicator who builds strong working relationships with colleagues, families and external agencies. Excellent time management and organisational skills. Above all, to want to achieve the best possible result for each and every child.We would love to offer you the opportunity to hear more about why working in this team should be the next step in your career. We also appreciate that you may have questions, so please get in touch to find out more by emailing [email protected]
Take your next step with us today and use your skills where they matter most.
Applications close on 18th June and interviews will be held on 23rd June 2026 at Lincoln County Offices.
Please refer to our Job Information Pack here to support you in your application.
A relocation package may be considered for the successful candidate. More details relating to our Relocation Policy can be found here.
Please be advised that this position may be subject to a criminal record check.
About us
Lincolnshire County Council, is one of the largest employers in the county. We are an organisation that embraces diversity, innovation and progress. We value our people and want to ensure that we can support you in joining and growing with us.
We will view you as an integral member of our community and recognise that your well-being is paramount. To show our appreciation, weve crafted a competitive package designed to not only acknowledge your hard work but also foster a healthy work-life balance.
From health benefits and retirement plans, we strive to provide a package that supports well-being and financial stability and that meets the diverse needs of our workforce.
We want everyone who works with us to feel included and celebrate their uniqueness. We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity, eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation, and promoting good relations for both employee and for the people of Lincolnshire.
People often say every day is a learning day and at LCC a culture of learning is something we really believe in. We recognise the importance of supporting your learning and development and can offer a variety of different learning opportunities depending on what is right for you and the organisation. This could be through your everyday tasks, through hands-on experience, structured programs, formal qualifications, coaching, or informal learning opportunities.
Job description Job responsibilities
Work independently to hold and effectively manage the team's most complex caseload. This will include the most high-risk, high need, looked after children, a range of high-profile court work and specialist assessments and interventions as required.
To Undertake high quality direct work with children, young people and families, involving all key family members and prioritising children and young people's safety.
Work using Signs of Safety methodology, which works collaboratively with families to empower them to find solutions whilst ensuring working within the policies, procedures of Children's Services and regulatory standards.
Lead on family network meetings and case mappings. Carry out in depth and ongoing family assessment of social need and manage risk to children, with particular focus on parental capacity and capacity to change.
Co-work specialist assessments with less experienced members of the team to ensure that they improve and develop.
Recognise harm and risk indictors of different forms of harm to children relating to sexual, physical and emotional abuse and neglect. Consider the possibility of Child Sexual Exploitation, grooming (on and offline), female genital mutilation, enforced marriage and the range of adult behaviours which pose a risk to children, recognising too the potential for children to be perpetrators of abuse.
Use reflective supervision, research and other guidance to recognising one's own professional limitations and how and when to seek advice from a range of sources, including Practice Supervisors, senior practice leaders and other clinical practitioners from a range of disciplines. The post holder will work in conjunction with senior staff and managers through available support systems (supervision, appraisal, mentoring, co-working and work shadowing).
Navigate the family and youth justice systems in England using legal powers and duties to support families, to protect children and to look after children in the public care system, including the regulated frameworks that support the full range of permanence options. Participate in decisions about whether to make an application to the family court, the order to be applied for and the preparation and presentation of evidence.
Seek advice and professional second opinion as required in relation to the legal issues, interventions and plans which frequently impact children, young people and families involved with statutory services.
Use the law and regulatory and statutory guidance to inform practice decisions. Take into account the complex relationship between professional ethics, the application of the law and the impact of social policy on both.
Make realistic child centred plans within a review timeline which will manage and reduce identified risks and meets the needs of the child. Any plans devised for the child need to be evidence informed, demonstrate clear analysis and professional judgement and evaluative decision-making skills. This also includes working with multi-agency partners.
Continuously develop knowledge of child development and how this impacts on all aspects of a child's life. This includes physical, cognitive, social, emotional and behavioural development and the impact of different parenting styles. Have a good and continually developing understanding of adult behaviours; for example, adult mental health, domestic abuse, mental health, physical health, disability and substance misuse and the impact on, and inter-relationship between, parenting and child development.
Good understanding of working in a complex organisation such as a Local Authority, Trust or other delivery model for Children's Services. Act in ways that protect the reputation of Lincolnshire County Council and the wider Social Work profession whilst always privileging the best interests of children. Contribute to the organisation's role as corporate parent to children in public care.
Arrange or provide transport/escort for Service Users e.g. to health appointments, education; provide practical support including access to living aids, to families and to young people, including those formally looked after by the Authority seeking to live independently in the community.
Maintain and update case notes and other records pertaining to the child/children you have responsibility for. Write reports as required and if needed give evidence in court on factual matters.
Contribute to planning/reviewing the cases of children in care; supervise fostering/adoption arrangements.
To devise and deliver practice workshops regularly in team meetings and to other Children's Services staff as required. This could also include group supervision and mapping complex cases with less experienced staff.
Support, coach and mentor other members of the team and be a champion in Signs of Safety. The post holder is expected to be a Practice Educator to social work students on practice placements in the team, support with onboarding and induction and offer mentoring, work-shadowing/work experience opportunities. The post holder could be expected to take on Team Champion roles; for example, Signs of Safety Champion, Munro Champion etc.
Person Specification
skills Essential
Relationship building skills, socially confident and adaptable.
Qualifications Essential
Recognised qualification in Social Work (Degree, PGDip or MA/MSc). Registered with SWE and ensure that registration is maintained and renewed appropriately. Post qualifying Practice Educator Level 1 and/or 2 or other post qualifying specialist award, or commitment to learn within 6 months.
Requirement Essential
Driving Licence.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Lincolnshire County Council
Address 3rd Floor, Lancaster House
36 Orchard Street
Lincoln
Lincolnshire
LN1 1XX
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://jobs.lincolnshire.gov.uk/home.html (Opens in a new tab)