Senior Social Worker – Children in Care (CIC) Team

Specialism / Department: Children’s Social Care – Children in Care (CIC)
Location: Wakefield, UK
Salary / Pay Rate: £35 per hour
Contract Type: Locum / Ongoing
Working Pattern: Part-Time / Full-Time

Role Overview

Wakefield Metropolitan Borough Council is seeking an experienced Senior Social Worker to join their dedicated Children in Care (CIC) Team. This ongoing locum opportunity offers part‑time or full‑time flexibility, with a competitive hourly rate of £35.

In this key position, you will support the wellbeing, safety, and development of looked‑after children, providing leadership, guidance, and high‑quality case management. You will collaborate closely with families, foster carers, external agencies, and multi‑disciplinary partners to ensure that every young person receives consistent, effective, and child‑centred support.

Perks and Benefits

• Flexible Working Options: Part‑time or full‑time to suit your lifestyle.
• Competitive Hourly Pay: £35 per hour, rewarding your senior expertise.
• Professional Development: Access to a range of training and ongoing development opportunities.
• Work–Life Balance: Benefit from flexible arrangements and supportive team culture.
• Positive Environment: Join a dynamic team committed to improving outcomes for children in care.

Key Responsibilities / What You Will Do

• Manage a caseload of looked‑after children, ensuring timely interventions and effective planning.
• Conduct assessments, create care plans, and lead regular reviews to monitor progress and outcomes.
• Provide leadership and supervision to social workers, supporting their practice and development.
• Work in partnership with families, foster carers, and agencies to ensure holistic care for children.
• Produce high‑quality reports for court hearings and Children in Care Reviews.
• Ensure safeguarding remains a priority, acting in line with statutory duties and local policies.
• Attend multi‑disciplinary meetings to develop integrated support plans.
• Contribute to service improvement, quality assurance, and practice development within the CIC team.

Requirements / Candidate Criteria

Essential

• Recognised Social Work qualification.
• Registration with Social Work England.
• Significant experience within Children’s Services, including CIC or LAC work.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, care planning, and statutory responsibilities.
• Experience supervising or supporting social work colleagues.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and report‑writing skills.

Desirable

• Post‑qualifying award in social work.
• Experience supporting children with disabilities or mental health needs.
• Experience in training or practice development roles.

Why Wakefield

Wakefield is a welcoming and vibrant city offering a great mix of culture, community, and natural beauty. With its excellent schools, scenic countryside, rich heritage, and strong transport links to Leeds and the wider Yorkshire region, it’s an ideal location for both professional growth and personal wellbeing. Wakefield provides the perfect balance of city convenience and peaceful living.

Working with Sanctuary Personnel

Sanctuary Personnel is an award‑winning, trusted recruitment agency with an Excellent Trustpilot rating supported by over 1,000 reviews. They specialise in matching skilled social workers with high‑quality locum roles, offering competitive pay, dedicated consultant support, and a smooth, professional recruitment process from start to finish.