Location: Tonypandy, Rhondda Cynon Taf, CF40 1NY
Employer: Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
Service: Children's Services / Social Care
Contract: Temporary
Duration: 26 weeks
Start Date: 28 October 2026
End Date: 27 April 2027
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Pay: £33.00 per hour PAYE
IR35: Inside IR35
DBS: Enhanced DBS required
About the Role Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council is seeking an experienced Principal Social Worker to join its Children's Services team.
The successful candidate will play a key role in safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of vulnerable children and young people, while supporting improvements in the quality, consistency and performance of social work practice.
This is a senior social work position requiring strong assessment, professional leadership, decision-making and practice development skills.
Key Responsibilities - Manage a complex caseload and undertake high-level assessments, interventions and decision-making.
- Safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults and promote positive outcomes.
- Provide professional leadership, guidance, supervision and mentoring to social work staff.
- Support the development and implementation of high-quality social work practice.
- Contribute to quality assurance activities, including individual and thematic audits.
- Work collaboratively with partner agencies and participate in multi-agency meetings.
- Support practice development, training and continuous professional development.
- Share knowledge and promote best practice across the team and wider service.
- Deputise for the Team Practice & Performance Manager when required.
- Respond to practice-based concerns and support the implementation of service improvements.
- Maintain accurate records and management information.
- Comply with safeguarding, professional standards, legislation and council procedures.
Essential Requirements To be considered for this position, candidates should have:
- A recognised Social Work qualification, such as an MA/Degree in Social Work or recognised equivalent qualification.
- Significant post-qualifying social work experience, including experience at Experienced Social Worker level.
- Strong knowledge of assessment for care and support needs.
- Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures for children and adults at risk.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation relating to Children and Families.
- Experience working with partner agencies and in multi-disciplinary environments.
- Experience providing practice supervision and/or mentoring.
- Experience delivering learning, training or practice development opportunities.
- Strong communication, leadership, analytical and decision-making skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively and promote positive outcomes for service users.
- Ability to travel independently throughout the service area.
- Current professional registration with Social Care Wales.
Desirable Experience The following would be advantageous:
- Quality assurance and audit experience.
- Experience contributing to professional Social Work training.
- Experience chairing meetings.
- Experience of innovative social work practice.
- Practice Teacher/Assessor, PQ Award Mentor or similar experience.
- Management or professional development qualifications.
Working Pattern Following a 1–2 week induction, depending on the successful candidate's confidence in working independently, office days will be Monday and Tuesday.
Compliance Requirements The successful candidate will be required to:
- Hold current Social Care Wales registration.
- Complete an Enhanced DBS check.
- Provide the required employment and professional information as part of the recruitment process.
- Comply with safeguarding and professional requirements.
Protecting children and vulnerable adults is a core responsibility of the role.
Apply Now If you are an experienced Social Worker looking for a senior temporary opportunity within Children's Services, we would like to hear from you.
Please apply with your updated CV and we will contact you to discuss the role, eligibility and next steps.