At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and young people in a diverse community through assessment and intervention.
- Company: Join Lewisham Council, a leader in championing rights for refugees and migrants.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, flexible working, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with excellent training and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and young people.
- Qualifications: Degree in social work and registration with Social Work England required.
The predicted salary is between 47925 - 47925 £ per year.
Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities! We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.
As part of Lewisham’s Children and Young People’s Directorate, the Social Worker statutory social work service to children, young people and their families/carers, to include assessment, intervention, case planning and review, appropriate to the work of our Children Looked After (16+), Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children and those Leaving Care. Working collaboratively with foster carers, birth families, adopters, Special Guardians, education and health colleagues, and other partners, Social Workers ensure that children benefit from coordinated and trauma‑informed support. This reflects Lewisham’s identity as a diverse, inclusive borough and its commitment to relational practice and championing the rights of children, families, and communities.
As a social worker, you will be a key member of our team and contribute to the development of the service. You will take a curious and wholistic approach to supporting children and young people, to keep safe and well. You will undertake direct work and other activities with children, their Carers and young people. The service is made up of specialist social workers, and personal advisors, working in collaboration with a dedicated CLA and a Leaving Care Nurse, Career Coaches and a Mentoring service; all co-located at our CLA/Leaving Care Hub. As a social worker in the CLA (16+), UASC and Leaving Care Service, your expertise will play an important part in delivering statutory social work and our leaving care responsibilities, where you will undertake appropriate interventions and work that enables us to deliver against our Corporate Parenting and other relevant strategies.
What’s in it for you? Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:
- Generous holiday allowance
- Local Government Pension scheme
- Flexible working and family friendly policies
- Season ticket and bicycle loans
- A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
- Supportive staff networks
We are looking for someone to join our service, who has knowledge and experience of working with Children Looked After, Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children, and Care Leavers/Care Experienced young people. You will be confident in delivering effective practice and have in-depth knowledge of all aspects which relates to these groups and be curious about the complex issues faced by Lewisham’s children and young people. You will understand the benefits of regular supervision, practice that is evidenced, partnership working, and clear decision making in Lewisham, and embed these as a core part of your work within the service.
You will have:
- A strong background in safeguarding and statutory social work, including knowledge of current childcare legislation and practice
- Expertise in understanding work to support unaccompanied minors and asylum seekers
- Proven leadership skills
- Confidence in taking a curious and trauma informed approach to work with children and young people
- A commitment to promoting best outcomes for children and young people
The job is based at 43-45 Bromley Road, Catford SE6 2UA. There are 2 local train stations 7-10 minutes’ walk from the office, and the train journey from London Bridge is approximately 15 minutes. There are also numerous bus routes that stop right by the office. We operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis.
To apply for this post, you must have a degree in social work or equivalent qualification. Be registered with Social Work England. The post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. The recruitment process is anonymous and we don’t accept CVs. It is essential that you complete the application fully and that your supporting statement covers how you meet each of the person specification criteria listed.
Diversity: Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process.
Social Worker, CLA 16+ UASC And Leaving Care - Corporate Parenting in London employer: Borough of Lewisham
Lewisham Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment that champions the rights of children and families in our diverse community. With excellent training and development opportunities, generous holiday allowances, and flexible working policies, we empower our social workers to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a healthy work-life balance. Located conveniently in Catford, with easy access to public transport, our team thrives on collaboration and a commitment to relational practice, ensuring every employee can grow and contribute to the well-being of our vibrant borough.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker, CLA 16+ UASC And Leaving Care - Corporate Parenting 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 Lewisham.
✨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 Lewisham!
✨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 Lewisham, 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 Lewisham 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, CLA 16+ UASC And Leaving Care - Corporate Parenting 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 Lewisham:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Borough of Lewisham! 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 Lewisham
✨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.
