Principal Qualified Social Worker; Children & Families

Cardiff Council is seeking an experienced Principal Social Worker to undertake a dual-focused role, Court Work & Case Management. Holding a small, complex caseload of approximately 10-11 children (4-5 families) subject to care proceedings.

• Completing all statutory responsibilities including visiting, care planning, reviews, and court work.
• Undertaking assessments using the DOH Framework and applying the principles of the NSPCC Reunification Framework.
• Assessing risk, protective factors, and the likelihood of sustained change within the child's timescales.
• Producing high-quality evidence-based assessments and court reports.
• Working with children and families to support decision-making around reunification or remaining at home.
• Understanding the impact of trauma on parenting capacity and children's needs.
• Overcoming barriers to engagement and tailoring assessments to parents' learning styles.
• Drawing on multi-agency information and informal support networks to inform assessments.
• Supervising a pod of Social Work Assistants and less experienced Social Workers.
• Providing monthly supervision, oversight, and quality assurance of care plans and casework.
• Chairing strategy meetings and attending joint visits as required.
• Supporting a positive, reflective, and supportive team culture.
• Attending Child Looked After Reviews and other key meetings.
• Taking temporary allocation of cases where risks escalated until safe to transfer back to the Social Work Assistant or NQSW.
• Working closely with the Team Manager and Operational Manager to support team performance and development.

• Qualified Social Worker with HCPC/Social Work England registration.
• Significant experience working with children subject to care proceedings.
• Strong court work experience with the ability to produce high-quality evidence-based analysis.
• Skilled in completing assessments under the DOH Framework and familiar with the NSPCC Reunification Framework.
• Understanding of trauma-informed practice and its impact on parenting and child development.
• Experience supervising or mentoring less experienced staff is desirable.
• Excellent communication, engagement, and organisational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multi-agency environment.