Job Description

Job Introduction

We're recruiting a Senior Practitioner with experience in safeguarding and ideally some experience of supervising social workers.


The Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) is the front door to Children's Social Care, all referrals come through to us and we triage how best to help children and their families.


We're also an assessment team who undertake home visits and then complete the Children and Families Assessment and carry out child protection enquiries. The work is short term as those needing long term support will transfer out of MASH following assessment.


Currently we have three pods, which rotate on a weekly basis. Each pod has a designated Team Manager and between five and six Social Workers, with at least one senior practitioner in each.


Here's an example of a typical three-week rota for the pod:


Week One: s.47 week

Receive calls from our partner agencies and give advice about safeguarding concerns, complete s.47 enquiries (single agency and jointly with the Police), attend strategy meetings and complete urgent assessments. On average, workers will pick up to four assessments a week on triage.


Week Two: Focus week

This is the opportunity to write up your assessments, arrange Family Support Meetings, complete additional visits and have supervision.



Week Three: Assessment week

Each social worker will have up to four child and family assessments a week. The assessments are pre-booked by a customer liaison officer, usually for 4pm and agency checks are also completed on your behalf. No assessments are booked on Fridays.


The team is based in our city centre offices and whilst you'll be mainly based on site, there are opportunities to work from home. You'll work 9am to 5:30pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 5pm on Fridays.


The role requires an enhanced DBS check and attracts an annual Retention Payment of 4,000 based on performance.

This is a site based role.

Interviews for this role to be w/c 6 October.

Milton Keynes City Council is a modern and friendly place to work. Find out more about working with us here: www.mkcounciljobs.org.uk

Role Responsibilities
Engage in the team's diary of three different activities. Participate in the duty rota. Undertake up to three Children and Families Assessments per week. Participate in giving advice and undertaking Section 47 safeguarding activities. Provide advice and guidance to unqualified colleagues. Provide supervision to a social worker. Provide advice and guidance to a school and under take more complex cases.

Ideal Candidate
A qualified social worker registered with Social Work England, hold relevant experience as well as a Social work degree. Wants to become a part of a supportive and friendly team. For this role you are required to have a full UK driving licence and provide evidence of your vehicle insurance with business use. If you are successful, you will be required to supply evidence of your licence prior to starting the role Should you be offered the role, as part of the pre-employment checks an Enhanced DBS will be actioned for you (unless you are on the DBS Update Service).

About The Organisation

Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.


We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.


We're very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.


We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it's time for a new role.


If you'd like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.
Package Description

In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:

Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year. Excellent pension - everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available. A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy. Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel. Salary sacrifice car scheme - low-cost leasing of electric and low emission vehicles. Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.

Why join us? Along with more on our Benefits, discover why Working at the City Council could be the right move for you here Working at the Council | Milton Keynes


Our roles are either designated 'site based' or 'home based'. 'Site based' roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst 'home based' roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.