Children's Social Worker - Duty & Assessment - East Sussex

Children's Social Worker - Duty West

Location: County Hall, Lewes, with duty work allocated across the west of East Sussex
Pay Rate: £38.00 per hour
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Initial 12-week assignment
Condensed Hours: May be considered and discussed at interview

Caritas Recruitment is seeking an experienced Children's Social Worker to join the Duty West Team with East Sussex County Council.

This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled practitioner with strong child protection experience to undertake varied duty work across the west of the county. The role involves managing complex cases independently, completing robust assessments and working directly with children and families to achieve safe, positive outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake child protection enquiries and assessments under Sections 17 and 47 of the Children Act 1989
• Complete assessments of need, analysis and outcome-focused planning
• Work directly with children, young people, parents and carers
• Liaise effectively with partner agencies to gather and share safeguarding information
• Identify, assess and manage risk, progressing safeguarding interventions appropriately
• Prepare clear, analytical reports, including reports for court
• Maintain accurate and timely case records
• Build effective professional networks around children and their families
• Work within relevant legal frameworks, policies and procedures

Essential Requirements

• Qualified Social Worker with registration through the relevant professional regulator
• Successful completion of the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment, or equivalent
• Experience of child protection work, including Section 17 and Section 47 assessments
• Experience of direct work with children and adults
• Strong assessment, analysis and care-planning skills
• Experience writing high-quality reports, including court reports
• Ability to manage complex cases and workloads independently
• Enhanced DBS covering work with children and adults
• Ability to meet the travel requirements of the role

What's on Offer?

• £38.00 per hour
• 37 hours per week
• Council equipment provided
• Potential for condensed working hours, subject to discussion at interview
• Opportunity to join an established children's duty service
• Varied child protection and assessment work across West East Sussex