Now more than ever, safeguarding teams within social care play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of at-risk children and young people.
In this blog, we’ll explore the responsibilities and potential challenges faced by social workers in safeguarding teams, as well as looking at the current, exciting opportunities for you to join our team at Northamptonshire Children's Trust (NCT).
What does a social worker role within a children’s safeguarding team involve?
Safeguarding team social workers work within a local authority or social services to protect and support children who are at risk. Key responsibilities may include:
Assessment and intervention. Social workers conduct assessments to identify risks and vulnerabilities faced by children and families. You would work collaboratively with other social care professionals to develop and implement effective intervention strategies.
Risk management. You’ll play a vital role in managing and minimising risks for vulnerable children. You will develop care plans, provide support, and liaise with various agencies to ensure appropriate measures are in place.
Advocacy and support. You’ll act as an advocate for children, ensuring their rights are protected and their voices are heard. You will provide emotional support, offer guidance, and connect young people with relevant services.
Collaborative approach. Social workers within a safeguarding team work closely with multi-disciplinary teams including healthcare professionals and educators. This partnership work is crucial to ensure the overall wellbeing of children under your care.
What do I need to consider before I apply for a safeguarding role?
Education. An undergraduate or postgraduate degree in social work from a university recognised by Social Work England.
Registration. To practice as a social worker in the UK, you’ll need to register with Social Work England. This ensures adherence to ethical standards and ongoing professional development.
Empathy and communication. Effective communication skills and empathy are essential for building relationships with children and young people, and understanding their unique needs. You’ll need to be able to communicate sensitively when advocating for children’s rights.
Problem solving and decision-making. Social workers in safeguarding teams face complex situations that require critical thinking, problem-solving and the ability to make informed decisions, in sometimes quite challenging circumstances. You’ll need to assess risks and develop appropriate strategies to ensure the safety of the children involved.
Current opportunities
At NCT we have a number of roles within the safeguarding team that we are recruiting for. Safeguarding is one of the most significant activities within our social care offering – we have a brilliant team of hardworking specialist practitioners who deliver our statutory safeguarding duties to the highest possible standard.
Please take a look at our recent safeguarding feature in Social Work News.
We are looking for skilled social workers to come and work within our safeguarding team, to undertake enquiries and work in partnership with colleagues across the department. If you’re a fully qualified social worker who’s ready for a fresh challenge, apply for our safeguarding roles today.