🩺 We’re Hiring – Locum Social Worker (Children in Care)
📍 Location: Civic Offices, Saxon Gate East, Milton Keynes, MK9 3EJ
🔖 Reference – SCS693
🕒 Job Type: Locum – Full Time, Temporary (37 hours per week)
💼 Start Date: ASAP
💰 Rate/Salary: £38 per hour (Umbrella)

About the Role:
We are delighted to offer an exciting locum opportunity for an experienced Children’s Social Worker to join the Children in Care (CIC) Team at Milton Keynes City Council — a service committed to achieving outstanding outcomes for children and young people in care.

This is a vital frontline role working with children and young people in care, and we are looking for candidates who can bring recent, relevant experience and a strong commitment to achieving positive outcomes.

⚠️ Important:
• Only candidates with proven Children in Care and Adoption experience within the last 5 years will be considered.
• CVs must clearly show both permanent and locum experience. Incomplete CVs will be rejected without review.

Key Responsibilities:
• Chair multi-disciplinary meetings and collaborate with partner agencies to complete assessments and develop child-centred care plans
• Conduct annual Children and Family Assessments to ensure care plans are relevant and up to date
• Support children to understand their care journeys through direct work, life story work, and ongoing engagement
• Manage a caseload of up to 18 children, including those on Care Orders, under Placement Orders, placed with parents, or Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC)
• Work closely with IROs, the Virtual School, LAC Nurses, and other partners to ensure SMART planning and robust outcomes
• Contribute to team learning and development through knowledge sharing and peer support

Team Structure & Culture:
You will be joining a well-resourced and stable team, consisting of:
• 1 Team Manager
• 1 Deputy Manager
• 4 Senior Practitioners
• 14 Social Workers
• 2 Social Work Assistants

Caseloads are capped at 18 for social workers and 14 for senior practitioners, allowing for quality engagement and focused supervision. Senior Practitioners are expected to support less experienced team members.

The team meets fortnightly to share best practice and develop skills, with sessions led by members on tools, approaches, and casework reflections. All locum workers have full access to the council’s internal training catalogue, plus support from a Clinical Psychologist and a Primary Mental Health Worker.

Working Arrangements:
• Hybrid working: up to 2 days per week from home
• Flexibility required: office attendance when needed
• Local and occasional long-distance travel involved

Requirements:
• Qualified Social Worker (Degree/Diploma/CQSW/CSS)
• Current Social Work England registration
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in Children in Care and Adoption
• Evidence of both locum and permanent roles on CV
• Enhanced DBS Certificate (must be on the Update Service)
• Ability to travel to and from the office as required

Why Join Us?
• Competitive pay rate of £38 per hour
• Stable and supportive team structure with capped caseloads
• Ongoing professional development and access to specialist support

🎁 Referral Bonus Available!
Earn a reward through our referral incentive—if you know anyone looking for Locum or Permanent work, refer them to us here:
👉 https://supplycaresolutions.co.uk/candidates/referral-form/
Terms and conditions apply.

📝 Apply Now
To apply, please email the following documents to Esther@supplycaresolutions.co.uk:
• Up-to-date CV (clearly showing locum and permanent roles)
• Proof of eligibility to work in the UK (Passport or Share Code with Passport)
• Proof of National Insurance (recent payslip, P45/P60, or HMRC letter)
• Social Work England registration number
• Enhanced DBS Certificate (must be on the Update Service)

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🌐 About Supply Care Solutions
Supply Care Solutions has a wide range of locum opportunities across the UK, recruiting professionals across all specialisms and grades.
Please note: All locums must be contract-compliant before commencing work through our agency.
We work in full compliance with Monitor/TDA rate caps, ensuring transparency and fair practice across all placements.