Children Social Worker - LADO Team

JOB-20240819-db742659

Job Title:
• Children's Social Worker - LADO Team (Local Authority Designated Officer)

Location:
• Cardiff, UK

Contract Type:
• Locum, Ongoing, Full Time

Salary:
• £45.00 per hour

Job Purpose:
• To lead and coordinate the local authority response to safeguarding allegations involving professionals, carers, and volunteers working with children
• To ensure robust, timely, and child-focused decision-making in line with statutory guidance
• To support high standards of safeguarding practice across Cardiff's children's workforce

Key Responsibilities:
• Lead and coordinate Cardiff Council's response to safeguarding allegations and professional concerns
• Provide expert advice, guidance, and challenge to managers, employers, education settings, and partner agencies regarding safeguarding thresholds
• Chair and manage multi-agency Professional Concerns Strategy Meetings, ensuring clear plans, actions, and outcomes
• Work closely with South Wales Police, Education, Health, CIW, and relevant regulatory and professional bodies
• Ensure the child's safety, welfare, and voice remain central to all decision-making
• Collaborate with the Safeguarding and Reviewing Hub, Children's Services managers, and Education Safeguarding leads
• Maintain accurate, timely, and GDPR-compliant records and contribute to performance monitoring
• Support learning, reflection, and professional development across the children's workforce
• Contribute to wider safeguarding activity, including thematic learning, case reviews, and inter-agency problem-solving

Essential Requirements:
• Social Work England registration
• Significant experience in safeguarding, child protection, or LADO/professional concerns work
• Strong knowledge of statutory safeguarding guidance and inter-agency working
• Confidence in chairing complex multi-agency meetings and providing professional challenge
• Excellent communication, analytical, and decision-making skills
• Ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced safeguarding environment

Perks and Benefits:
• Locum Flexibility: Enjoy the freedom and variety that locum work offers
• Competitive Pay: Earn an excellent hourly rate of £45.00
• Work-Life Balance: Full-time role with flexibility to support personal commitments
• Professional Development: Opportunities to refine specialist safeguarding expertise
• High-Impact Role: Play a key role in strengthening safeguarding practice across the city

Why Cardiff:
• A vibrant capital city offering a blend of culture, history, and modern living
• Close to stunning coastlines and green spaces, ideal for work-life balance
• Excellent transport links, dining, arts, and leisure opportunities
• A welcoming city that values professional contributi