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Areas of practice

Child protection and safeguarding

Summary
Protect and support children at risk of harm and intervene in cases of immediate risk
Other names
Family safeguarding, family support and safeguarding

What you'll do

Your responsibilities will vary depending on your role and position in the team.

Social workers in child protection and safeguarding teams are expected to:

  • carry out assessments in response to concerns about neglect or physical, sexual or emotional abuse
  • build relationships with children and families to address risk and develop interventions
  • carry out home visits to observe family dynamics and assess child well-being
  • work with families to develop safety plans that protect children from harm
  • help families identify personal and family networks to support them
  • intervene when immediate action is needed to keep children safe
  • develop plans and establish a coordinated approach with other professionals
  • take part in child protection conferences to discuss concerns with families and plan actions
  • write reports, give evidence and advocate for the interests of children in court

Skills and knowledge

The skills and knowledge you need will vary depending on your role and position in the team.

Social workers in child protection and safeguarding teams are expected to have:

  • interpersonal skills to communicate with children clearly and compassionately
  • an understanding of legal frameworks relating to child protection
  • an understanding of the principles of building relationships with children
  • knowledge of risk factors such as substance abuse, child exploitation and domestic abuse
  • an understanding of relevant legislation and policies relating to child safeguarding
  • analytical and report writing skills to facilitate decision-making
  • knowledge of care proceedings and private law
  • the ability to work effectively with multi-agency partners

It could also be useful to have:

  • an advanced qualification in working with children and families
  • group supervision skills, such as experience of facilitating group supervision

Who you'll work with

You could work with external partners and services including:

  • police and emergency services
  • health services
  • schools
  • housing departments
  • substance misuse workers
  • domestic abuse specialists

Current opportunities

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