At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families in need through innovative, child-centred interventions.
- Company: Join Lambeth Council, a vibrant community-focused organisation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team driving impactful change in children's services.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in families' lives while shaping community support.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work, particularly with children with disabilities.
The predicted salary is between 37000 - 44500 £ per year.
Lambeth Civic Centre, 6 Brixton Hill, London, SW2 1EG, United Kingdom
Job Description
Social Workers (3 Posts)
Children's Social Care, Families First Team
PO2-PO3: £44,937 pa rising in annual increments to £51,22 pa incl. LW
Fixed Term / Secondment Opportunity for 12 months
Full Time / Hybrid Working
About Us
Located in the heart of South London, Lambeth Borough is a vibrant community of over 317,600 residents. Stretching from the dynamic neighbourhood of Streatham in the South to the iconic landmarks of Waterloo in the North, we are proud to be the 9th largest borough in London. Our diversity is our strength, with more than 130 languages spoken, making Lambeth the home of the Windrush generation, London's largest LGBTQ+ community, and a thriving Portuguese-speaking community.
It is an exciting time to join Lambeth Council, we have bold ambitions for the future of Lambeth’s communities and residents through our Lambeth 2030 Plan ‘Our Future, Our Lambeth. With exceptional schools, lush green spaces including Brockwell Park, cultural gems like the Black Cultural Archives, and world-renowned institutions such as St Thomas's Hospital, Lambeth offers an enriching and dynamic environment.
About the Team:
The Families First Team (FFT) is an innovative, multi-agency pilot at the front door of children’s services, designed to help families earlier, make better decisions faster, and prevent unnecessary escalation into statutory intervention. Operating as a time-limited, 10-working-day assessment and brief intervention model, FFT brings together social care professionals and embedded specialists to rapidly understand risk, need and family context, and take purposeful action.
This is a small, high-impact, multidisciplinary team working alongside the Initial Response Hub/MASH. Our approach is:
- Child-centered and safeguarding-led
- Evidence-informed and analytically robust
- Multi-agency from day one
Following a time-limited assessment and brief intervention, the team will support clear, confident decisions to:
- Step families down to early help or community support
- Close cases where needs are met
- Escalate appropriately where risks require statutory intervention
FFT is a focused, action-oriented service designed to reduce drift, improve family experience, and strengthen decision-making at the earliest point. This is a 12-month pilot with strong senior sponsorship and real opportunity to shape system change, working at the heart of front-door transformation.
About the Role:
One of these roles is a children with disabilities social worker, therefore experience in Children with Disabilities statutory services; and understanding of SEND, short breaks, and disability-related thresholds is needed. You are a motivated and skilled social work practitioner who thrives in fast-paced, purposeful work with families.
You will bring:
- Experience in assessment, Child in Need, or front-door services
- Strong skills in direct work and building relationships quickly
- Confidence in coordinating multi-agency input
- Ability to produce clear, concise, analytical summaries
You are:
- Action-focused and organised
- Comfortable working within tight timescales
- Committed to doing the right thing at the right time for families
This is a great opportunity for you to be a part of a team that delivers focused, high-impact interventions that change outcomes within a short period.
How to Apply:
To be considered for interview, your CV and supporting statement will clearly evidence how you meet the shortlisting criteria on the personal specification marked “A” for application. We operate an anonymised application process, so be sure to remove personal details when uploading your CV or personal statement.
Recruitment Timelines:
For an informal discussion, please contact: Manyara Walker. You will also be required to undertake a Cifas check. Further information about Cifas can be found here Cifas.
At Lambeth, we are dedicated to providing quality services and equal opportunities for all. We are committed to safer recruitment and are proud to be a Stonewall diversity champion, a Living Wage Employer, and to guarantee interviews for all disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria of the role.
Social Worker - Fast-Track Family Support (12-month) in London employer: Borough of Lambeth
The Borough of Lambeth is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises community engagement and professional development. As an Early Years Quality Improvement Officer, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on early years education while benefiting from comprehensive training and support in a dynamic Greater London setting. Join us to be part of a team dedicated to fostering high standards and compliance in out-of-school settings, all while enjoying the rich cultural diversity and resources that Lambeth has to offer.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker - Fast-Track Family Support (12-month) in London
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Borough of Lambeth.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Borough of Lambeth!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Borough of Lambeth, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Borough of Lambeth or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker - Fast-Track Family Support (12-month) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Borough of Lambeth:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Borough of Lambeth! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Borough of Lambeth
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
