Social Worker – Safeguarding

West Berkshire Council

Pay Rate: £38 per hour

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: Locum

About the Role

West Berkshire Council is seeking an experienced Social Worker to join its Safeguarding Service on a locum basis. This role involves working with children and families where risk has been identified, ensuring timely, proportionate, and child-focused interventions are delivered to promote safety and long-term stability.

You will manage a caseload across Child in Need, Child Protection, and safeguarding pathways, undertaking statutory work while maintaining a strong focus on relationship-based practice and positive outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Undertake Child & Family Assessments in line with statutory timescales.

Manage Child in Need and Child Protection cases, including safety planning.

Carry out direct work with children and families, ensuring the child’s voice is central to all decision-making.

Prepare clear, analytical reports for conferences, reviews, and legal processes where required.

Work closely with partner agencies including health, education, police, and early help services.

Maintain accurate, timely case recording and strong professional analysis.

Participate in reflective supervision and contribute to a learning-focused team culture.

Practice Model Used by West Berkshire

West Berkshire operates the Family Safeguarding Model, a strengths-based, multi-disciplinary approach designed to keep families together wherever it is safe to do so.

The model integrates adult specialists (mental health, substance misuse, domestic abuse) directly into Children’s Services teams, supporting holistic assessments, improved information sharing, and more effective risk management. Relationship-based practice and reflective supervision are key components of the framework.

Why West Berkshire Is a Great Place to Work and Live

West Berkshire offers an excellent quality of life, combining beautiful countryside with strong professional opportunities. Benefits include:

Access to the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

A relaxed pace of life with safe, family-friendly communities.

Strong transport links, including direct rail services to Reading and London Paddington.

Newbury, the borough’s main town, offers a vibrant mix of shops, restaurants, cafés, and cultural venues.

A supportive local authority with a focus on workforce wellbeing, manageable caseloads, and high-quality practice.

West Berkshire is an ideal location for social workers seeking meaningful safeguarding work alongside a balanced lifestyle