* Suffolk County Council - Landmark House, Ipswich, IP1 5PB - Hybrid
* £33,366 per annum (pro rata for part time)
* Full or part time hours available
* Permanent and Fixed Term/Secondment for 12 months
We are focused on making a meaningful difference to children, young people and their families across Suffolk. If you share the same care, support, and dedication as we do, join our Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) Team as a MASH Practitioner.
Your role and responsibilities
MASH co-locates key agencies and their data into a secure assessment, research, and decision-making unit for new contacts to Children's Social Care and safeguarding referrals for Children at Risk of Abuse. The MASH provides the first point of contact and risk assessment in respect of service requests and safeguarding enquiries for children, young people, and vulnerable adults, in accordance with agreed referral and service thresholds.
You will:
* support the functions of the multi-Agency team building upon good interagency collaboration in Suffolk, working with partner agencies such as health, police, Early Help, probation, and education
* gather information from Partner agencies and contribute to decision making with the oversight of a Consultant Social Worker
* communicate with children, young people, parents and families where concerns have been raised and understand Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership (SSP) thresholds to inform an appropriate response and intervention/s
* identify risk and safeguarding concerns and escalate immediately where appropriate.
Working in Suffolk MASH provides employees with an opportunity to contribute to decisions that make a real difference to vulnerable children. The work is rewarding and fast-paced but can be also stressful at times, so a degree of emotional resilience is required to effectively manage the challenges of this working environment.
Please note that this role does not include home visits.
You will need:
* experience of signposting support to children and families or similar
* experience communicating with children, young people, parents and families.
For more information
Please contact Milly Clark for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01473263139 or emailing milly.clark2@suffolk.gov.uk
How to apply
Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (docx)
Step 2 - Click 'Apply Now' to start your online application.
Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (docx).
1. Describe a time when you had to gather information from multiple sources to inform a critical decision. How did you ensure you collected all relevant data and communicated it effectively?
2. Give an example of when you've had to explain sensitive information or difficult decisions to children, young people or families. How did you approach this and what was the outcome? Did you provide support or signposting services to them? If you did, please explain how you went about this.
3. Describe your experience working in a fast-paced, potentially stressful environment. How do you maintain your emotional resilience and ensure you can continue to perform effectively?
4. Give an example of a time you had to collaborate with professionals from different agencies or backgrounds to achieve a common goal. What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
5. Give an example of when you've had to manage competing priorities in a time-sensitive situation. How did you decide what to focus on?
Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.
If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.
Closing date: 11.30 pm, 2 April 2025
Interviews: W/C 21 April 2025
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.
As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We're driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.
In return, you'll enjoy:
* up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
* membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
* travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
* performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
* training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
* a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
* diverse and active staff networks
* flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).
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