Advanced Practitioner - Duty and Assessment

Advanced Practitioner – Assessment and Duty Team
Location: Wombwell, Barnsley
Work Base: Wombwell Police Station
Rate: £37 per hour Umbrella
Working Pattern: Full-time, Hybrid
Contract: Locum

Service Care Solutions are currently recruiting for an experienced Advanced Practitioner / Social Worker to join one of Barnsley’s four Assessment and Duty Teams.

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and committed social work professional to take on a senior practice role within a service focused on delivering timely, high-quality assessments and improving outcomes for children and families.

The Assessment Teams are co-located with the police at Wombwell Police Station and work closely with partner agencies to assess children and families, identify need and risk, and determine the most appropriate intervention.

The Role
The Assessment Teams complete assessments with children and families within 40 working days, working collaboratively with families to identify the right support and intervention.
Once a safeguarding plan has been agreed, families will either:

• Close to Children’s Social Care where appropriate
• Transfer to Early Help services
• Transfer to longer-term social work teams
• Remain allocated for short-term CIN planning where required, providing consistency for the family

The four Assessment Teams operate on a rota, with each team spending one week on duty followed by three weeks off duty, during which they focus on completing assessments and developing plans for intervention.

As an Advanced Practitioner, you will play an important role in supporting high-quality practice, decision-making and the development of social work colleagues.
Key Responsibilities

• Undertake and oversee high-quality statutory assessments of children and families.
• Support timely decision-making around need, risk and appropriate intervention.
• Drive plans for vulnerable children and ensure children remain at the centre of practice.
• Work collaboratively with children, families and partner agencies.
• Provide reflective supervision to social workers and colleagues.
• Mentor and support students, NQSWs and other social work professionals.
• Provide practice guidance and support to colleagues within the team.
• Contribute to a positive learning and development culture.
• Maintain strong knowledge of relevant legislation, policies and procedures.
• Work effectively within a performance management framework.
• Support the delivery of timely and quality-focused assessments.
• Work closely with colleagues from partner agencies, including the police.
• Ensure safeguarding concerns are appropriately identified, assessed and acted upon.

About You
We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic social work professional who is passionate about improving outcomes and the lived experience of children in Barnsley.
You will have:

• A recognised Social Work qualification.
• Current Social Work England registration.
• Significant experience within statutory Children’s Social Work.
• Extensive experience working with vulnerable children and families.
• Strong experience of assessment, safeguarding and statutory social work practice.
• Experience of driving plans and achieving positive change for children.
• Experience providing reflective supervision.
• Experience mentoring students, NQSWs or fellow social work colleagues.
• A strong understanding of relevant legislation, policies and procedures.
• The ability to work at pace and make timely, evidence-based decisions.
• Strong partnership-working skills.
• A commitment to high-quality practice and positive outcomes for children.

Working Arrangements
This is a full-time hybrid role based at:
Wombwell Police Station, Barnsley
The role requires a minimum of 3 days per week in the office.
During your allocated duty week, you will be required to work 5 days per week in the office.
The four Assessment Teams operate a rota, with each team spending one week on duty followed by three weeks focused on assessment and intervention planning.

What Barnsley Offers
You will be joining a supportive and nurturing environment with:

• Manageable spans of control.
• High-quality regular supervision and support.
• A visible and supportive senior management team.
• A strong focus on learning and professional development.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Good IT support and equipment.
• A collaborative working environment with close partnership working.

Apply Now
If you are an experienced Children’s Social Worker looking to take the next step in your career and have the experience required to work as an Advanced Practitioner within an Assessment and Duty Team, I would be keen to hear from you.
Contact Nik Froud at Service Care Solutions:
📧 Nik.froud@servicecare.org.uk
📞 01772 208964
Please get in touch for further information or to discuss the role confidentially.