Local Authority Designated Officer

Cheshire West and Chester Council is seeking an experienced, passionate, and qualified Social Worker to join our dedicated Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in safeguarding children and young people, ensuring concerns about adults working with children are managed effectively and in line with statutory guidance.

As part of a small, supportive team, you will work collaboratively with partner agencies to improve outcomes for children, young people, and families across the borough. You will contribute to the Council's ambitious Families First Partnership Programme
, which brings together locality-based Family Help Teams, Family Help Safeguarding Teams, and Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams (MACPT) to deliver consistent, trauma-informed, and relationship-based support tailored to the needs of families.

This role is ideal for a skilled practitioner with substantial safeguarding experience who is committed to high-quality practice, effective partnership working, and making a positive difference to the lives of children and families.

The council’s approach is rooted in trauma-informed and systemic practice, ensuring empathetic and holistic interventions. Social workers are equipped with bespoke training, including trauma-informed practice and motivational interviewing, to deliver high-quality support.

Cheshire West and Chester offer a supportive work environment with strong leadership, reflective practice frameworks, and a culture of shared learning.

We have Magic Notes in Cheshire West, and this is delivering clear benefits for both practitioners and managers, significantly reducing written administration by an average of six hours per week and allowing social workers to spend more time on direct practice. As a result, 71% of practitioners report increased job enjoyment and improved work–life balance. Practitioners describe being more physically and emotionally present with families, able to maintain eye contact, focus fully during assessments and meetings, and allow conversations to flow naturally, with positive feedback from families.

The tool also reduces admin-related stress, enabling quicker case recording, deeper analysis, and greater focus on understanding lived experience, while improving accessibility for staff with additional needs such as dyslexia. From a management perspective, Magic Notes has improved morale, strengthened relationships with children and families, enhanced care planning and direct work, and is seen by all managers as having a positive impact on recruitment and retention, with most identifying it as a key factor in attracting and keeping staff.

The council is committed to professional growth, with many senior roles filled by individuals who have progressed internally. High-quality training and development opportunities are available, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

A recent survey with Frontline staff highlighted strong child-focused leadership, clear practice standards, and high-quality supervision. Staff feel trusted, supported, and valued, with many recommending Cheshire West and Chester as an excellent place to work.

• - Flexible remote working
• - Bright, modern, recently refurbished office environments
• - Free parking at all office locations
• - Competitive salary and working rewards
• - Up to 16 days’ flexi leave per year, in addition to annual leave
• - Social Work England registration paid for by the council
• - High-quality supervision
• - Strong reflective practice framework
• - Excellent training opportunities
• - Clear progression and developmental opportunities
• - We offer competitive rates of pay depending on experience.