Children's Senior Social Worker - Southwark Council : Job Details

Are you passionate about making a positive difference in children's lives in Southwark?

If yes, we have the perfect role for you!

We are looking to recruit senior social workers for our Safeguarding & Family Support Service and help play a key role in ensuring children in Southwark are safe and happy at home. If you're a qualified social worker with a passion for empowering children and families, we want to hear from you!

This role is full time, 36 hours per week.

About us:

Our Children's Services is dedicated to providing outstanding support to vulnerable children and families in Southwark. Our systemically-informed, relationship-based approach prioritises the needs of each child, working purposefully with families to manage risk, promote positive outcomes, and create lasting change.

Our most recent Ofsted inspection was graded as 'good’ in all areas. The children in our care said we are a"special council and are like a family to them".

About the team:

You will be joining a friendly team of dedicated professionals who share your passion for positive outcomes for children and families.

We want you to thrive in your role whilst being supported through regular one to one and group supervisions alongside having access to key development and training opportunities to grow as a social worker.

About the role:

We aspire to keep your caseloads manageable, allowing you to dedicate your full attention to the children and families who need it most. As a Senior Social Worker, you will:

• Build positive relationships and work directly with children, their families and partner agencies - all under the guidance of our experienced Team Managers.
• Run child in need and child protection plans, tailored to each child's unique needs and be the driving force behind positive change.
• Experience of CP, CIN and Court work.
• Carry out in-depth, ongoing evidence based assessment of complex needs and risks to children.
• Supporting the development of best practice and confident practitioners through coaching and mentoring of students, newly qualified social workers and less experienced practitioners.

About you:

• Current registration with Social Work England and a recognised social work qualification.
• Have passed your ASYE year.
• Ability to build positive relationships.
• Have knowledge of childcare legislation, child development, and risk/protective factors.
• Experience in direct social work interventions, investigations, assessments, and care planning.
• Ability to produce high-quality reports and manage complex information
• Strong communication, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Commitment to anti-discriminatory practices and promoting equality.
• The ability to provide professional guidance, support and development opportunities and contribute to organisational development.
• Post qualifying experience in a social work role within a statutory setting, working with children and families, and attendance at appropriate training.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required at enhanced level and also eligibility to work in the UK is required.

How we can support you:

We have a diverse range of training courses, practitioners and teams to help support you so you can provide the best outcomes. We have Family Support Workers, a Keeping Families Together team, a Parenting Assessment Team that conducts specialised court assessments and a SWIFT / clinical service that specialises in delivering intensive therapeutic services to families.

We also have Practice Group Coordinators offer administrative support, including providing training on our database.

Pay and Reward:

In return for all your hard work, skills and experience, you will receive:

• A competitive base salary
• For roles in our Assessment & Intervention and Safeguarding & Family Support teams, we are offering for a time limited period a Welcome Payment of £3000 for joining Southwark, followed by a retention payment of £2400 per year for your first two years, and £3600 after three years.
• Strong supportive senior management team
• Regular one to one supervision
• Professional development & training opportunities
• Clear career development pathways
• Agile and flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Season ticket and cycle loans
• Annual Leave starting at 28 days per year, increasing to 33
• Wellbeing programme
• Options to join our HSF Health plan and eye care schemes
• EAP employee assistance programme, confidential counselling and support
• Social clubs and staff groups

Recruitment Timeline:

• Advert close date: We will be reviewing applications on a weekly basis
• Interview date/s: we have weekly interview slots available.

We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition