Principal Social Workers - Childrens Services x MASH | Intake

Principal Social Worker Opportunities – Children’s Services - Cardiff Council

We are currently recruiting for two experienced Principal Social Worker positions within Children’s Services for Cardiff Council.

• Principal Social Worker – MASH
• Principal Social Worker – Intake & Assessment

Pay Rate: £41.58 Umbrella

Full-time preferred

Agile and flexible working available

These are fantastic opportunities for experienced frontline practitioners looking to step into a leadership role where you can support practice development, lead on decision making, and help shape high-quality safeguarding services for children and young people.

This is a fast‑paced and rewarding role within MASH, supporting the Team Manager in delivering high‑quality safeguarding responses using the Signs of Safety approach.

• Supporting and supervising a small sub‑team under the guidance of the Team Manager
• Leading on staff development and supervision
• Chairing and managing high‑risk strategy meetings on a rota basis
• Supporting with referral “ragging”, allocations, and authorising assessments
• Working closely with partner agencies to promote effective multi‑agency safeguarding practice
• Supporting service development and participating in Task Force Groups
• Making confident, timely decisions within pressured safeguarding timescales

This role requires strong experience in risk assessment, safeguarding decision making, and the ability to work proactively within a high‑pressure environment.

Please note:

Principal Social Workers within MASH are expected to work on‑site 2 days per week on a rota basis alongside their counterpart to support the Team Manager.

We are also seeking an experienced Principal Social Worker for the Intake & Assessment Team.

• Strong frontline Children’s Services experience
• Previous experience line managing Social Workers
• Confidence deputising for the Team Manager when required
• Experience overseeing allocations, safeguarding decisions, and performance management
• Ability to support and develop staff within a busy assessment environment

This role will report directly into the Operational Manager and would suit a confident practitioner with strong leadership and operational experience.

• A relevant Social Work Qualification
• Registration with Social Care Wales
• Enhanced DBS registered on the update service or be happy to apply for a DBS
• 3 Years of referencing
• Driving licence with access to a car

• 20 years’ experience of the Social Work market
• Your local agency based in Cardiff
• Welsh‑speaking consultant available should you wish to converse in Welsh throughout your job search
• PAYE and Umbrella payroll options available – you choose!
• Dedicated point of contact (support team to cover whilst on leave)
• Twice weekly payroll
• Actively supplying every Local Authority in South/West Wales and South West England
• Refer a friend scheme available
• Birthday gifts (after 1 year in service)
• Wellbeing sessions

Given the nature of the role, only applications from individuals with a social work qualification and registration with either professional body – Social Care Wales / Social Work England can be considered. Please only apply if you meet this criteria.

Please contact Sarah Leigh at Hoop Recruitment on if you want to find out more.