Job Description

• £42 per hour
• Advanced Social Worker opportunity
• Child Protection Team
• Locum contract
• 1 day per week working from home
• Complex and rewarding frontline practice
• Supportive leadership and strong team culture
• Opportunity to mentor and support less experienced practitioners
• Immediate interview and start opportunities available

Are you an experienced Advanced Social Worker looking for your next locum opportunity within a dedicated Child Protection Team? Bristol City Council is seeking a highly skilled practitioner to join its frontline service, working with children and families where robust safeguarding intervention is required to ensure children remain safe and achieve positive outcomes.

This is an excellent opportunity for an accomplished social worker who enjoys managing complex cases, supporting colleagues, and driving high-quality practice. Offering a competitive rate of £42 per hour, this role provides the chance to work within a progressive authority that values professional expertise and relationship-based social work.

Bristol City Council is committed to delivering outstanding services for children and families through strong partnerships, effective safeguarding practice, and a child-centred approach. The authority continues to invest in its workforce, ensuring practitioners have access to regular supervision, learning opportunities, and supportive management.

The Child Protection Team works with children and families where significant concerns have been identified, managing Child Protection Plans, Public Law Outline processes, and pre-proceedings work. As an Advanced Social Worker, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality interventions while providing guidance and support to colleagues across the team.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a service that values professional judgement, reflective practice, and collaborative working to achieve the best possible outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.

• Manage a complex caseload of children subject to Child Protection Plans and statutory intervention.
• Undertake comprehensive assessments, risk analysis, and safety planning.
• Lead Child Protection and Child in Need planning processes.
• Complete Section 47 investigations and contribute to strategy discussions.
• Progress Public Law Outline and pre-proceedings work where required.
• Undertake direct work with children, young people, and families to promote positive change.
• Prepare high-quality assessments, reports, and court documentation.
• Attend Child Protection Conferences, Core Groups, Legal Planning Meetings, and court hearings.
• Provide mentoring, guidance, and informal support to less experienced social workers.
• Work collaboratively with education, health, police, legal services, and partner agencies.
• Maintain accurate and timely case recording in accordance with statutory requirements.

• Qualified Social Worker with a recognised Social Work qualification.
• Registered with the Social Work England.
• Significant experience within Child Protection, Safeguarding, or Locality Services.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance, and court processes.
• Experience managing complex and high-risk cases.
• Ability to mentor and support colleagues within a team environment.
• Excellent assessment, analytical, and report-writing skills.
• Strong communication and relationship-building abilities.

• £42 per hour competitive locum rate
• 1 day per week working from home
• Opportunity to work within a well-established Child Protection Team
• Supportive and experienced management team
• Regular supervision and reflective practice
• Opportunity to influence practice and support team development
• Dedicated consultant support throughout your assignment
• Access to a wide range of future local authority opportunities
• Generous referral bonus scheme
• Opportunity to make a lasting difference to children and families facing significant challenges

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact:

Josh Dhumisani
&#(phone number removed); (phone number removed)
️ (url removed)