Senior Social Worker - Children in Care Sanctuary Personal

Job Title: Senior Social Worker – Children in Care
Specialism: Children in Care
Location: Barnsley, UK
Salary: £35.00 per hour
Contract: Ongoing | Full Time / Part Time

Embark on an exciting career journey as a Senior Social Worker specialising in Children in Care in Barnsley. This ongoing locum opportunity offers a competitive hourly rate of £35.00
, with the flexibility to work full time or part time to suit your lifestyle. You will play a vital role in providing stability, permanence, and nurturing care to children and young people, ensuring placements support positive and lasting outcomes.

• Full Time / Part Time Flexibility: Choose working hours that fit around your personal and professional commitments.
• Locum Freedom: Enjoy the variety and challenge of locum work while gaining experience across diverse settings.
• Professional Development: Access ongoing CPD opportunities to enhance your skills and career progression.
• Practice Leadership: Mentor and support less experienced social workers, shaping the next generation of practitioners.

As a Senior Social Worker within the Children in Care service, you will deliver high-quality statutory social work practice. You will manage complex cases, drive permanence planning, and provide leadership in achieving safe, stable, and supportive placements for children and young people.

• Hold a complex caseload of Children in Care, focusing on care planning, placement stability, and permanence.
• Fulfil statutory duties in line with the Children Act 1989 & 2004
  , Care Planning Regulations, and statutory guidance.
• Prepare high-quality reports for court proceedings, looked after reviews, and permanence panels.
• Lead pathway planning for care-experienced young people transitioning into adulthood.
• Develop, implement, and review Care Plans and Placement Plans, ensuring the child’s voice is central.
• Progress permanence options including reunification, long-term fostering, special guardianship, and adoption.
• Work closely with Independent Reviewing Officers to ensure timely and effective care planning.
• Mentor and provide informal supervision to Social Workers and Newly Qualified Social Workers.
• Participate in quality assurance activities, including audits and reflective practice, to drive service improvement.
• Work collaboratively with education, health, CAMHS, youth justice, and partner agencies.
• Attend and contribute to multi-agency meetings, reviews, and professional forums.

• Degree in Social Work (BA / MA / DipSW).
• Registration with Social Work England (SWE) is essential.

• Significant post-qualifying experience in Children’s Social Care.
• Strong experience working with Children in Care / Looked After Children.
• Proven ability to manage complex cases, court work, and permanence planning.
• Experience mentoring or supporting less experienced practitioners is desirable.

Sanctuary Personnel is a trusted and award-winning agency for locum roles. With an ‘Excellent’ Trustpilot rating from over 1,000 reviews and multiple industry awards, we are committed to securing the best possible rates and roles that truly match your skills and experience.

Apply now with Sanctuary Personnel and take the next step in your career as a Senior Social Worker in Barnsley – where your expertise truly makes a lasting difference.