Principal Social Worker – MASH

Cardiff Social Services
£41.58 per hour
Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
Full-time | Hybrid

Hoop Social Work is recruiting an experienced Principal Social Worker to join Cardiff’s Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).

This is an excellent opportunity for a confident and experienced social worker looking to take on a senior role within a fast-paced, multi-agency safeguarding environment, working alongside partner agencies to ensure timely and effective responses to children and families at risk.

About the Role

The MASH team is based within a co-located unit at Cardiff Bay Police Station, working closely with partner agencies involved in the safeguarding agenda.

This is a fast-paced, office-based role with no case-holding responsibilities. Instead, you will manage a constantly changing workload, providing professional leadership and oversight to ensure appropriate safeguarding decisions are made quickly and effectively.

Working under the guidance of the Team Manager, you will be responsible for your own small sub-team and will play a key role in supporting staff development, supervision and professional decision-making.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Undertaking timely risk assessments of contacts and referrals received by MASH

• Supporting the early identification of children and families at risk

• Taking part in multi-agency strategy discussions and contributing to safeguarding decision-making

• Leading on high-risk Strategy Meetings on a rotational basis with other Principal Social Workers

• Providing supervision, support and professional development to staff within your sub-team

• Supporting the Team Manager with the RAG rating of referrals, allocations and authorising Social Workers’ assessments

• Working closely with MASH partner agencies to develop strong, professional and meaningful working relationships

• Contributing to the ongoing development of the MASH service

• Participating in Task Force Groups and service improvement initiatives

• Providing professional leadership and guidance within a high-pressure safeguarding environment

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for an experienced and confident social worker who is comfortable working within a fast-paced safeguarding environment and able to make sound professional decisions under pressure.

You will ideally have:

• Significant experience within children's social care and safeguarding

• Strong experience of risk assessment and multi-agency working

• Experience of Strategy Discussions/Meetings and safeguarding decision-making

• The confidence to provide professional supervision and leadership

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills

• The ability to prioritise and manage a constantly changing workload

• A strong understanding of safeguarding practice and statutory social work responsibilities

• A proactive approach to service development and continuous improvement

To apply for this role, you will need to hold:

• A minimum of 6 months’ experience working in the UK as a registered Social Worker

• A relevant Social Work Qualification

• Current registration with Social Care Wales or Social Work England

• Enhanced DBS, registered on the Update Service, or be happy to apply for a new DBS

• Ability to provide 3 years’ referencing

• Full driving licence with access to a vehicle

Please note: Given the nature of this role, we can only consider applications from candidates who hold a recognised Social Work qualification and current registration with Social Care Wales or Social Work England.

Unfortunately, sponsorship is not available, so please only apply if you meet these criteria.

Why Register with Hoop Social Work?

• 20+ years’ experience in the Social Work market

• A local specialist agency based in Cardiff, with roles across South Wales, West Wales and South West England

• Exclusive roles and early access to new opportunities

• A Welsh-speaking consultant available if you’d prefer to discuss your job search in Welsh

• PAYE or Umbrella payroll options – whichever suits you best

• Twice-weekly payroll

• A dedicated consultant as your main point of contact, with wider team support when needed

• We actively supply every Local Authority across South and West Wales, as well as clients across South West England

• £200 referral bonus for every successful friend or colleague you refer

• Wellbeing sessions and thoughtful extras, including birthday gifts

• DBS and compliance support to make the process as smooth and straightforward as possible

Interested?

If you’re an experienced Social Worker looking for your next senior opportunity within a dynamic MASH environment, we’d love to hear from you.

Contact Sarah Leigh at Hoop Social Work on 02922 400519 for an informal chat about the role or to apply today.