At a Glance
- Tasks: Support adolescents and families through relational, strengths-based interventions in a dynamic team.
- Company: Join Lewisham Council, a leader in championing diverse communities and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, flexible working, pension scheme, and local discounts.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in systemic practice and strong relationship-building skills required.
The predicted salary is between 44235 - 45852 £ 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.
Are you passionate about relational, strengths-based work with adolescents and families? Join Lewisham’s Integrated Adolescent Service as a Systemic Practitioner, where you’ll play a key role in shaping safe, supportive, and meaningful change for young people. This is an exciting opportunity to bring your systemic thinking, creativity, and curiosity into a dynamic multi‑disciplinary environment that values Trauma‑Informed, Anti‑Racist, Restorative and Contextual approaches. If you’re motivated by collaboration, reflective practice, and making a real difference in the lives of diverse communities, we’d love to hear from you.
The Systemic Practitioner plays a vital role in delivering high‑quality, relational interventions to children, young people, and families within the Integrated Adolescent Service. You will use systemic, trauma‑informed, anti‑racist, restorative, and contextual approaches to support meaningful change, improve emotional wellbeing, and promote safety. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will contribute systemic thinking to assessments, planning, and interventions, participate in reflective practice, and help shape the development of a learning‑oriented, innovative service. This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about collaborative practice, committed to inclusive and strengths‑based work, and eager to make a positive impact in the lives of adolescents and their families.
What’s in it for you?
- 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
What We’re Looking For
We’re looking for a reflective, relational practitioner who is passionate about working systemically with adolescents and their families. You’ll bring a strong grounding in systemic theory, along with the ability to apply trauma‑informed, anti‑racist, restorative and contextual approaches in day‑to‑day practice. You will be skilled at building trusting relationships, curious in your thinking, and confident using systemic tools such as genograms and relational formulations to support meaningful change. We’re seeking someone who can work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, contribute to reflective spaces, and actively champion inclusive, culturally responsive practice. If you’re emotionally intelligent, resilient, and motivated to help strengthen safety, wellbeing, and relational outcomes for young people, then you’ll thrive in this role.
Location
The job is primarily based in The Old Town Hall, Catford, London, SE6 4RU, but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis.
Special conditions
- The job is subject to an enhanced DBS check
- This role is full time and is not open to job share
- The recruitment process is anonymous and we don’t accept CV’s.
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. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply. The Council has a dedicated employment support service, Lewisham Works, which offers Lewisham residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs.
Systemic Practitioner employer: Lewisham Council
Join Lewisham Council as a Social Worker and be part of a team that truly makes a difference in the lives of children and young people within our vibrant, culturally diverse community. With excellent training and development opportunities, generous holiday allowances, and a supportive work culture that values flexibility and family-friendly policies, you will thrive in an environment committed to championing the rights of all children. Located conveniently in Catford, with easy access to transport links, this role offers a unique chance to contribute to meaningful change while enjoying a fulfilling career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Systemic Practitioner
✨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 Lewisham 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 Lewisham 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 Lewisham 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 Lewisham 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 Systemic Practitioner
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 Lewisham Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Lewisham 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 Lewisham 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.
