Principal Qualified Social Worker; Children & Families

Principal Qualified Social Worker (Children & Families)

Employer:

Neway International Ltd Progressive

Location:

Cardiff, Cardiff County

Pay:

£31.71 to £41.58 per hour, Rate: PAYE £31.71 per hour / Ltd/Umbrella £41icathe hour

Contract Type:

Contract

Hours:Full time

Disability Confident:

No

Closing Date:

12/02/2026

Neway International are seeking a Principal Social Worker to join our client based with Cardiff Council.

Location:

County Hall, Cardiff

Hours:

37 per week

Contract:

Temporary

• until 27 April 2026
  
  Start Date:
  
  26 January 2026 Rate: PAYE £31.71 per hour / Ltd/Umbrella £41.58 per hour About the Client Cardiff Council’s People & Communities Directorate delivers services that support children, families, and vulnerable young people across the city.

The Locality Teams work closely with multi‑agency partners to ensure safe, timely, and effective interventions for children subject to safeguarding and care proceedings.

The Role Cardiff Council is seeking an experienced Principal Social Worker to undertake a dual‑focused role:
Case‑holding responsibilities specialising in court work, and Supervisory responsibilities within a Locality Team.

This is a senior position requiring strong analytical skills, excellent court practice, and the ability to support and guide less experienced staff.

Cour Work & Case Management Holding a small, complex caseload of approximately 10–11 children (4–5 families) subject to care proceedings.

Completing all statutory responsibilities including visiting, care planning, reviews, and court work.

Undertaking assessments using the DOH Framework and applying the principles of the NSPCC Reunification Framework.

Assessing risk, protective factors, and the likelihood of sustained change within the child’sası timescales.

Producing high‑quality evidence‑based assessments and court reports.

Working with children and families to support decision‑making around reunification or remaining at home.

Understanding the impact of trauma on parenting capacity and children’s needs.

Overcoming barriers to engagement and tailoring assessments to parents’ learning styles.

Drawing on multi‑agency information and informal support networks to inform assessments.

Supervising a pod of Social Work Assistants and less experienced Social Workers.

Providing monthly supervision, oversight, and quality assurance of care plans and casework.

Chairing strategy meetings and attending joint visits as required.

Supporting a positive, reflective, and supportive team culture.

Attending Child Looked After Reviews and other key meetings.

Taking temporary allocation of cases where risks escala until safe to transfer back to the Social Work Assistant or NQSW. Working closely with the Team Manager and Operational Manager to support team performance and development.

Qualified Social Worker with HCPC/Social Work England registration.

Significant experience working with children subject to care proceedings.

Strong court work experience with the ability to produce high‑quality evidence‑based analysis.

Skilled in completing assessments under the DOH Framework and familiar with the NSPCC Reunification Framework.

Understanding of trauma‑informed practice and its impact on parenting and child development.

Experience supervising or mentoring less experienced staff is desirable.

Excellent communication, engagement, and organisational skills.

Ability to work collaboratively within a multi‑agency environment.

Jobs are provided by the Find a Job Service from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).