At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in care, ensuring their needs and wellbeing are prioritised.
- Company: Join Lewisham Council, a diverse and inclusive community-focused organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, excellent training, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in social work and relevant experience required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ 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 Senior Social Worker provides a high-quality, accountable statutory social work service to children who are looked after, subject to care proceedings, or progressing toward adoption. This includes delivering robust assessment, purposeful intervention, and meaningful case planning and review in line with legislation, Council policy, and the standards outlined in Lewisham’s Senior Social Worker role profile.
Working collaboratively with foster carers, birth families, adopters, Special Guardians, education and health colleagues, and other partners, Senior 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.
The postholder will manage a caseload of complex looked after children, ensuring that their needs, wellbeing, identity, and safety are central to all planning. They will produce high-quality written evidence for court, contribute to permanence planning, and prepare reports for CLA reviews, legal meetings, panels, and multi-agency partners.
In their senior capacity, the Senior Social Worker will provide guidance, professional, informal support to social workers and alternatively qualified staff members. They will contribute to reflective practice and team development whilst upholding strong recording, compliance, and safeguarding standards. This role is central to promoting stability, timely permanency outcomes, and safe, nurturing futures for children. The successful candidate will contribute to service development and help embed best-practice approaches that reflect Lewisham’s values, legal responsibilities, and commitment to high-quality children’s social care.
What’s in it for you? Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:
- 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
Lewisham has a rich cultural value and if you want to work in a thriving borough and our social work vision connects with your professional values, then we are interested in hearing from you. We are looking for people to join our team who:
- value the importance of communication and seeking feedback
- can inspire and motivate those they work with, manage and lead
- are committed to developing their skills and expertise to deliver an excellent service
- are professionally curious and value thinking slowly and calmly in a balanced way
- work inclusively, collaboratively with others recognising their strengths
- take responsibility and make a positive contribution by focusing on solutions
- are transparent, are appreciative in enquiry, reflect and learn.
Strong report writing skills, the ability to gather comprehensive information and trauma informed assessments, and the capacity and ability to work efficiently to meet court deadlines and meet competing demands.
The job is primarily based in Laurence House, 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.
To apply for this post, you must have a degree in social work or equivalent qualification. Have relevant professional experience in conducting kinship assessments. Be registered with Social Work England. The post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
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, Children Looked After, Corporate Parenting in London employer: Lewisham Youth Service
Lewisham Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values collaboration and innovation in the heart of Catford. Employees benefit from a hybrid working model, professional development opportunities, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on the community through strategic procurement initiatives. Join us to be part of a team that prioritises value for money while fostering growth and mentorship within the procurement sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker, Children Looked After, 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 Lewisham Youth Service.
✨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 Youth Service!
✨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 Youth Service, 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 Youth Service 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, Children Looked After, 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 Lewisham Youth Service:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Lewisham Youth Service! 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 Youth Service
✨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.
