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.
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.
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, onmwalker1@lambeth.gov.uk 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) 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.
