Children’s Assessment Social Worker – AR

Children’s Assessment Social Worker

Location: Sedgemoor, Somerset
Contract: Temporary / Full-Time

Job Purpose

Somerset County Council is seeking an experienced Children’s Social Worker to join the Assessment Team in Sedgemoor. The successful candidate will work with children and families following referrals into Children’s Social Care, completing Child and Family Assessments and identifying the most appropriate support and intervention.

The role will involve working with families until they are either stepped down to alternative services or transferred to the Safeguarding Team for longer-term support.

Key Responsibilities

• Complete high-quality Child and Family Assessments following referrals to Children’s Social Care.
• Work directly with children and young people to understand their experiences, wishes and feelings.
• Build positive relationships with parents, carers and wider family networks.
• Identify safeguarding concerns, risks, strengths and support needs.
• Carry out direct work and interventions with children and families.
• Work with families to identify strengths, address difficulties and improve outcomes.
• Support families to access appropriate services, including Family Group Conferencing where appropriate.
• Make appropriate recommendations regarding whether cases should be stepped down or transferred to longer-term Safeguarding services.
• Respond to urgent situations and contribute to duty work.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Assessment and Safeguarding teams.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date case records and assessments.
• Participate in regular reflective supervision and team meetings.

Essential Requirements

• Qualified Social Worker.
• Registered with Social Work England.
• Substantial experience working with children and families within Children’s Social Care.
• Experience completing Child and Family Assessments.
• Strong knowledge of child safeguarding and risk assessment.
• Experience working directly with children, young people and families.
• Ability to build effective, relationship-based working relationships.
• Ability to manage a caseload and respond appropriately to urgent situations.
• Strong communication, assessment and report-writing skills.

About the Team

Sedgemoor Assessment consists of two closely working teams that support each other with duty work, urgent situations and sharing practice expertise. The team works closely with Safeguarding colleagues and has access to specialist advice and support.

The service offers a supportive working environment, manageable caseloads, regular supervision, training and CPD opportunities, with a strong focus on improving outcomes for children and supporting them to remain safely within their families wherever possible.