At a Glance
- Tasks: Build meaningful relationships with children and families to create lasting change.
- Company: Join Hillingdon's Outstanding Family Help Service, known for its supportive culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Outstanding Ofsted rating and strong leadership team focused on your growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Recognised Social Work qualification and experience with children and families required.
The predicted salary is between 56169 - 56169 £ per year.
Join Hillingdon's Outstanding Family Help Service. If you're passionate about building meaningful relationships with children and families and want to work somewhere you can truly make a difference, Hillingdon is the place for you.
Following our recent Ofsted Outstanding judgement, we continue to invest in our workforce, creating the conditions for social workers to thrive. We know great social work happens when practitioners have the time, support and stability to focus on families. That's why we offer:
- Ambitious, dynamic and welcoming teams where you will be supported in your practice and your professional growth
- Salary up to £58,169 per year (including £4,250 retention payment)
- £4,250 Retention Payment
- SWE registration fee
- 5 minutes from Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines and M40
- Free PARKING
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
- TOIL provided
- Rated Outstanding by Ofsted and CIT
- Manageable workload
- 100% permanent and experienced Senior Leadership Team
- Visible, accessible and supportive managers and senior leaders
- Regular reflective supervision and clinical consultation
- Excellent learning, development and career progression opportunities
- A relationship-based and trauma-informed practice model
- Modern, locality-based teams and working environments
- Up to 34 days annual leave rising to 37 days after long service, in addition to bank holidays.
About Our Family Help Service: Hillingdon's Family Help Service is at the forefront of the national Families First Partnership Programme, bringing together early help, targeted support and statutory intervention to provide seamless support for children and families. Working within our locality-based teams, you'll support children from Child in Need through to Child Protection, developing strong relationships with families and partners within your local community. Our approach is simple: Build relationships. Create change. Improve outcomes.
As a Family Help Social Worker, you will:
- Build trusted, relationship-based partnerships with children, young people and their families.
- Complete high-quality assessments that identify strengths, risks and support needs.
- Develop and deliver effective Child in Need and Child Protection plans.
- Lead purposeful interventions that improve safety, wellbeing and family resilience.
- Work collaboratively with schools, health services, police, adult services and community partners.
- Safeguard children and promote positive outcomes through timely and effective decision-making.
- Maintain accurate records, assessments and reports to support high-quality practice.
- Contribute to our ambition of becoming a fully trauma-informed service.
We're looking for social workers who are passionate about making a lasting difference in children's lives. You will have:
- A recognised Social Work qualification (BA, MA or equivalent).
- Registration with Social Work England.
- Experience of working with children and families within statutory children's services.
- Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation, child development and practice frameworks.
- Excellent communication, analytical and relationship-building skills.
- A commitment to strengths-based, relationship-focused practice.
Most importantly, you'll be someone who believes that positive relationships can change children's lives.
Social Worker (POA) - £44,184 - £48,519
Senior Social Worker (POB) - £49,590 - £53,919
Plus £4,250 Retention Payment (applicable to both Social Worker and Senior Social Worker grades). Potential package value up to £56,169 per annum. Salary placement will be determined based on qualifications, skills and experience.
At Hillingdon, we are proud of what we've achieved:
- Outstanding Ofsted judgement
- Stable and experienced permanent leadership team
- Strong culture of support and collaboration
- Commitment to workforce wellbeing
- Investment in professional development
- Clear career progression pathways
- Focus on keeping caseloads manageable
- An ambitious vision for children and families
Our social workers tell us that what makes Hillingdon different is the combination of strong leadership, supportive colleagues and the opportunity to spend meaningful time helping families create lasting change.
If you're looking for an Outstanding local authority where your practice is valued, your development is supported, and your impact is recognised, we'd love to hear from you. Join Hillingdon's Family Help Service and help transform the lives of children and families every day.
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.
Senior / Social Worker - Family Help in London employer: Hillingdon Council
Hillingdon Council is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can make a real difference in the community. With a strong focus on employee development and a supportive culture, you will have opportunities to enhance your skills in housing services while working collaboratively with landlords and providers. The council's commitment to staff well-being and professional growth makes it a rewarding place to build your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior / Social Worker - Family Help 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 Senior / Social Worker - Family Help 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.
