Senior Social Worker – Locality Team

Specialism / Department: Children’s Social Care – Locality Team
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 Locality Team. This ongoing role offers a competitive hourly rate of £35 and flexible part‑time or full‑time options, allowing you to tailor your working pattern to your lifestyle.

You will play a key role in delivering high‑quality children’s social care, managing complex cases, supporting safeguarding practices, and providing reflective supervision to social workers within the team. This is an excellent opportunity for a confident practitioner looking to support best practice, drive service improvements, and ensure positive outcomes for children and families in the Wakefield area.

Perks and Benefits

• Flexible Hours: Part‑time or full‑time options to suit your personal and professional commitments.
• Competitive Hourly Pay: £35 per hour with full locum flexibility.
• Career Development: Access specialised training, supervision, and pathways for professional growth.
• Work–Life Balance: Benefit from flexible arrangements designed to support your wellbeing.
• Supportive Environment: Join a collaborative, reflective, and forward‑thinking team.

Key Responsibilities / What You Will Do

• Lead and manage a complex caseload, delivering effective interventions for children, young people, and families.
• Undertake thorough assessments, risk analyses, and planning for children’s needs.
• Lead on child protection cases, attending conferences and multi‑agency meetings.
• Provide reflective supervision, mentoring, and guidance to social workers.
• Drive service improvements and champion best practice across the locality team.
• Safeguard children by conducting investigations and ensuring risks are effectively managed.
• Build strong relationships with external partners to deliver coordinated support.
• Produce high‑quality written reports for child protection, statutory reviews, and court processes.
• Contribute to quality assurance and continuous service development initiatives.

Requirements / Candidate Criteria

Essential

• Recognised Social Work qualification.
• Registration with Social Work England.
• Significant post‑qualification experience in Children’s Services.
• Strong knowledge of child protection legislation and safeguarding procedures.
• Proven experience mentoring or supervising social workers.
• Excellent communication, assessment, and report‑writing skills.

Desirable

• Post‑qualifying award in Social Work.
• Experience working with children with disabilities or mental health needs.
• Experience delivering training or supporting multi‑agency teams.

Why Wakefield

Wakefield offers the perfect mix of cultural heritage, modern amenities, and scenic surroundings. With excellent transport links, vibrant arts venues, and beautiful Yorkshire landscapes, it provides an ideal environment for social work professionals seeking both a rewarding career and a great quality of life. Wakefield’s community spirit and supportive services make it an excellent place to live and work.

Working with Sanctuary Personnel

Sanctuary Personnel is a trusted, award‑winning recruitment agency with an Excellent Trustpilot rating supported by over 1,000 reviews. They specialise in placing skilled social work professionals into high‑quality locum roles, offering competitive pay rates, personalised consultant support, and a smooth, efficient recruitment experience from start to finish.