Safeguarding, Assessment, Adolescents & Looked‑After Children

• Safeguarding & Risk Management: Skilled in identifying and managing risk for children and adolescents, including exploitation, missing episodes, contextual risks and complex family dynamics.
• Assessment Expertise: Experienced in completing high‑quality Child & Family Assessments, risk assessments and LAC reviews, with strong analytical and planning skills.
• Adolescent‑Focused Practice: Confident engaging young people affected by trauma, exploitation, harmful behaviours or peer/group influences, using relational and strengths‑based practice.
• LAC Knowledge: Strong understanding of care planning, placement stability, pathway planning and improving outcomes for children in care.
• Multi‑Agency Working: Works effectively with police, health, education, youth justice and voluntary services to coordinate safeguarding and support.
• Communication & Engagement: Builds trust with young people, families and carers. Skilled in explaining processes, managing difficult conversations and keeping the child's voice central.
• Advocacy & Inclusion: Champions children's rights, challenges inequality, and works sensitively with diverse cultures, identities and needs.
• Case Management & Recording: Manages varied caseloads, writes high‑quality reports, meets statutory deadlines and maintains clear, accurate records.
• Crisis Response: Able to respond quickly to escalating risk, missing incidents, placement instability or exploitation concerns with effective safety planning.
• Team Contribution: Strong relationship builder; supports colleagues through joint work, reflection and professional curiosity.

Required Qualifications

Most employers typically require:

• Social Work Degree (BA/MA/BSc/MSW) or equivalent qualified status
  (e.g., Diploma in Social Work (DipSW), CQSW).
• Registration with Social Work England.
• Enhanced DBS check (children's workforce).
• Continued professional development in areas such as:
  • child protection
  • contextual safeguarding
  • exploitation (CSE/CCE)
  • trauma‑informed practice
  • court skills (for LAC and safeguarding roles).

Required Experience

Employers generally look for experience in:

• Working with children, young people and families in statutory or high‑risk settings.
• Completing Child & Family Assessments, risk assessments, and safety plans.
• Managing safeguarding cases, including Section 17/47 work.
• Experience with adolescents at risk, including exploitation, missing episodes or complex behaviours.
• Supporting children in care, placements and pathway planning.
• Working in multi‑agency environments (schools, police, youth justice, health etc.).
• Producing high‑quality written reports, including court statements (role dependent).
• Managing competing demands within a busy caseload.

Essential Skills & Competencies

• Strong understanding of safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance.
• Ability to analyse information, assess risk and make sound decisions.
• Confident working with challenging situations or resistant young people.
• Trauma‑informed and relationship‑based practice.
• Excellent communication, organisation and time‑management skills.
• Ability to remain calm and professional during crisis situations.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and anti‑discriminatory practice.
• Digital literacy (case management systems, reporting tools, recording).