At a Glance
- Tasks: Champion children's rights and advocate for vulnerable families in a dynamic, supportive environment.
- Company: Hackney Council, committed to anti-racism and community representation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full-time hours, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Join a team that values diversity and promotes positive outcomes for children and families.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working with innovative practices.
- Qualifications: Degree-level education in social work or related field with ongoing professional development.
The predicted salary is between 47000 - 49000 £ per year.
Salary - Grade
GBP £55,353 to £57, PO5
Contract Type
Permanent
Contracted Hours
Full Time - 36 hours per week
DBS Required
Yes
Department
Children & Education
Service
Children & Families Service
Closing date
02/11/2025
As part of our journey to be Anti-Racist, at Hackney we want our workforce to represent the community we serve, that\'s why we encourage applications from Black and Global Majority Ethnic backgrounds.
Proud to work in Hackney – Our aspiration is for every child to grow up in a child-friendly borough and have the best start in life
As a Senior Children\'s Rights Officer for Hackney\'s Children and Families Services, you will be able to access an outstanding range of local support services, enabling you to make a real difference for children and families.
You will be a part of a high quality and effective Children\'s Rights service that responds to the needs of children and in a timely manner and within statutory and best practice guidelines. You will be working at the forefront of best practice delivering high quality advocacy and interventions to children and young people in a team led by our Contextual Safeguarding Practice Lead and provided high level administrative support by a Contextual Safeguarding and Extra-Familial Risk Panel (EFRP) Coordinator. You will play a key role in developing our participation offer for children and young people, as well as developing our approaches to supporting children and young people at risk of extra familial harm.
Your role will include providing and overseeing high quality advocacy to children looked after, care experienced young adults, children supported through child protection plans and child in need plans and to oversee missing children with a focus upon independent return home interviews and responses to children who go missing from home or care. You will ensure that children are supported to understand their rights including through use of the statutory complaints process.
You will line manage and supervise the Children\'s Rights Officers and hold a small caseload of advocacy and return home interviews whilst ensuring consistent operational oversight of missing children including those experiencing extra-familial harm. You will support the Contextual Safeguarding Practice Lead with the leadership and development of staff within the team. You will demonstrate professional potential and personal attributes to respond to our children\'s needs and share Hackney\'s commitment to tackling racism and all other forms of discrimination.
If you are an experienced professional with a degree-level education, including a certified and current qualification in social work, youth work or equivalent professional qualification with evidence of ongoing professional development, who is keen to deliver, support and develop exceptional practice in a supportive and creative environment then we want to hear from you. Dynamic, innovative, committed and passionate, you\'ll bring a comprehensive knowledge and skill-base in your work to the challenge of working with vulnerable children and families.
Our service seeks to actively contribute to organisational learning through recognising, promoting and supporting best practice and service development where required, retaining a clear focus upon positive good outcomes for children and families across the borough. Hackney is proud of its organisational learning culture and strives to find innovative ways of engaging and facilitating change with young people and their families.
Over recent years we have become renowned for innovation. From Reclaim Social Work, to Contextual Safeguarding, Safe and Together and Anti-Racist Practice, we have challenged norms and carved new paths. We value systemic, trauma informed and anti-racist leadership and encourage devolved decision-making at all levels – with senior managers working alongside front-line staff. Our teams are given excellent development opportunities and we are proud to be the first local authority to provide post-graduate qualifications in systemic practice.
Our refreshed Children and Families Service Improvement Action Plan includes 5 ambitious future focused priorities for our service:
– Proud to be Systemic, Trauma Informed and Anti-Racist (STAR)
– Proud to LIsten to Children and Families
– Proud to Work with Partner Agencies
– Proud to Work Together to Keep Children Safe
– Proud to Support Our Workforce to Flourish
An enhanced DBS check is required.
As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation.
If you want to work in a place where you can represent our values so we achieve the best for our residents, please click on the apply button below.
We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CV\'s.
To proceed with your application, you will need to create an account and submit your application.
As part of the application process, you will need to complete a number of competency based questions. These questions allow you to demonstrate your suitability for the role and provide examples of your skills, knowledge and experience outlined in the job description.
We understand the benefits of using AI in the workplace. However, if you are thinking of using this tool to submit your application, we ask you to think about what value it will add. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.
Closing date for applications: 02 November :59)
Interview date: W/c 10 November 2025
We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.
Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.
The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available:
LI-MH1Senior Children\'s Rights Officer – Children and Families Service in London employer: Hackney Council
Hackney Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment that reflects the community it serves. As a Senior Children's Rights Officer, you will benefit from a supportive culture that prioritises professional development, innovative practices, and a commitment to anti-racism, allowing you to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in Hackney. With access to outstanding local support services and a focus on systemic, trauma-informed approaches, you'll thrive in a role that values your expertise and passion for advocacy.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Children\'s Rights Officer – Children and Families Service 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 Hackney Council.
✨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 Hackney Council!
✨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 Hackney Council, 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 Hackney Council 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 Senior Children\'s Rights Officer – Children and Families Service 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 Hackney Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Hackney Council! 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 Hackney Council
✨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.
