Child Protection Team

Job Title: Senior Social Worker - Court & Child Protection Team

Location: Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council (Hybrid working options available)

Pay Rate: £35.00 per hour (Umbrella)

Contract: Full-Time, Locum Assignment

Barnsley Council is looking for a skilled and resilient Senior Social Worker to join their dynamic Court & Child Protection Team.

This role is ideal for an experienced practitioner who thrives in dynamic legal environments. You will take the lead on high-profile, complex child protection cases, managing proceedings through private and public family court while ensuring children in the borough are effectively safeguarded and supported.

• Manage a complex caseload involving public care proceedings (PLO), court assessments, and emergency intervention work.

• Draft high-quality, evidence-based court reports, statements, and Care Plans to strict judicial timelines.

• Represent the local authority directly in family court hearings and provide clear, credible evidence.

• Execute thorough, analytical single assessments, risk assessments, and parenting capacity evaluations.

• Collaborate closely with legal teams, guardians, health professionals, and police partners.

• Provide informal mentoring and case guidance to less experienced social workers within the team.

• Qualification: Degree in Social Work (BA/MA/DipSW or equivalent).

• Registration: Active registration with Social Work England.

• Experience: Significant post-qualifying experience in Children's Social Care, with proven expertise in court proceedings and complex child protection cases.

• Knowledge: Deep knowledge of the Children Act 1989/2004, Public Law Outline (PLO) frameworks, and current family justice reform practice.

• Driver: Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for business travel.

• Competitive Pay: Premium rate of £35.00 per hour for senior expertise.

• Flexible Working: Modern hybrid structure combining home-based admin time with essential court and visit attendances.

• Structured Support: Well-resourced legal support, manageable caseload limits, and consistent reflective management supervision.

If you have the legal expertise and child-focused drive needed for this role, submit your updated CV today to register your interest.

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.

experience

Children services

skills

be able to manage challenging situations

qualifications

university

education

BA in social work