At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families through assessments, care planning, and court processes.
- Company: Join the London Borough of Hillingdon, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, generous holiday entitlement, and mental health support.
- Other info: Hybrid role with opportunities for professional development and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified Social Worker with 3+ years of experience in children and families services.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 44000 £ per year.
About the role
We are seeking experienced Social Workers and Senior Social Workers to join our Kinship service, supporting children and families through assessment, care planning and court processes.
This is a rewarding opportunity to work with complex cases, contribute to high-quality assessments and play a key role in securing stable, supportive arrangements for children within their extended families.
As a Social Worker, you will
- Manage a varied and increasingly complex caseload, including safeguarding responsibilities.
- Use a range of frameworks for assessment and intervention.
- Chair professional meetings with multi-agency partners, children and families.
- Produce clear, evidence-based assessments, reports and case recordings.
- Use evidence and research to inform decision-making and practice.
- Support students and new colleagues, including acting as a buddy where required.
- Take responsibility for your own supervision, development and reflective practice.
- Challenge discriminatory practice and promote inclusive outcomes.
- Respond proactively to safeguarding and emergency situations.
As a Senior Social Worker, you will additionally
- Manage a complex caseload with a high level of autonomy.
- Provide expert advice and guidance to colleagues, managers and partners.
- Model high standards of professional practice and caseload management.
- Prepare court reports and provide expert testimony in Care or Private Law proceedings.
- Participate in panels and contribute to decision-making processes.
- Support team planning and contribute to service delivery.
- Act as a Practice Educator for students and/or Newly Qualified Social Workers.
- Produce management information and support service analysis.
- Kinship Focus
Within the Kinship service, you will
- Complete detailed, analytical and evidence-based assessments of prospective kinship carers.
- Produce high-quality support plans within required timescales and deadlines.
- Work to court deadlines and panel requirements.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the child's journey through court, including temporary fostering and kinship arrangements.
- Apply understanding of kinship care legislation, frameworks and support options.
- Work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
- Advocate for and offer high level support to Kinship carers and the children in Kinship Arrangements.
About You
We are looking for qualified Social Workers who
- Hold a recognised Social Work qualification and are registered with Social Work England.
- Have substantial post-qualifying experience (3+ years) within children and families services and can work at the Senior SW expectations of practice level.
- Have very strong assessment and analytical writing skills (required for court and for panel).
- Have experience working with complex families and safeguarding.
- Ideally have experience within kinship and/or fostering teams.
- Are organised, proactive and able to manage competing priorities.
- Can build effective relationships with children, families and partner agencies.
- Enable others to learn including student and apprentice SW's and be a model of good practice for less experienced staff members.
A qualification as a Practice Educator is desirable.
- Be a strong team player which includes regular Duty days in the office and mandatory team meetings and team training.
- Additional Information
- You must have the right to work in the UK.
- This is a hybrid role, with a requirement to attend the Civic Centre, Uxbridge at least twice a week.
- Travel is required as part of the Kinship assessment role.
All applicants must be available to attend in-person interviews which will take place between
. These will take place at the Civic Centre in Uxbridge.
About us
We value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us.
We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation.
That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work-life balance, financial wellbeing, health, and professional development.
Here’s a comprehensive overview of the fantastic benefits we provide
- Flexible Working Hours
- We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
- 36 Hour Week
- Enjoy a standard 36-hour workweek for all full time staff.
- Generous Holiday Entitlement
- increasing with length of service (for non-casual roles).
- Hillingdon Sports & Leisure
- Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
- Salary Sacrifice Schemes
- option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
- Cycle to Work
- Eco-friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
- Perkbox Benefits
- Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Perkbox Benefits.
- Mental Health Support and Counselling Services
- Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues.
Access free 24-hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
- Travel Support
- Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.
- Trade Union Membership
- The Council recognises UNISON, Unite, AEP and GMB and supports employees' freedom of choice in relation to trade union membership.
- Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace.
This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly.
The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds.
We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.
Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation's success.
Recruitment Information
Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme.
We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a 'per application' basis.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject to the following pre-employment screening:
- Enhanced DBS Check
- Qualifications Check
- Professional Registration Check
- 5 years of Referencing
Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council.
Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.
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Kinship Senior Social Worker in London employer: Hillingdon Council
At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment for our Kinship Senior Social Workers. With flexible working hours, generous holiday entitlement, and a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, we ensure that our staff can thrive both personally and professionally. Our focus on professional development, alongside access to mental health support and a variety of employee benefits, makes Hillingdon a rewarding place to build a meaningful career in social work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Kinship Senior Social Worker 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 Hillingdon 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 Hillingdon 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 Hillingdon 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 Hillingdon 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 Kinship Senior Social Worker 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 Hillingdon Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Hillingdon 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 Hillingdon 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.
