At a Glance
- Tasks: Transform children's services by embedding the Signs of Safety practice model and coaching teams.
- Company: Join Bexley Children’s Services, a vibrant and supportive team dedicated to family strengths.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent pension, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and a commitment to continuous learning.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on children and families while driving innovative practices.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with experience in relationship-focused practice and coaching skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 42000 £ per year.
Be part of transforming how we work with children and families. Are you a passionate, creative, and experienced social worker who believes that families are the experts in their own lives? Do you thrive on inspiring others, championing strengths-based practice, and helping teams achieve the very best outcomes for children? As our Signs of Safety Consultant Social Worker, you'll play a pivotal role in embedding high-quality Signs of Safety practice across our service as we continue our exciting journey through the Families First Partnership programme. This is a fantastic opportunity to influence practice, support innovation, and help shape a culture where children, young people, and families remain at the heart of everything we do. We're looking for someone who brings energy, curiosity, and creativity to their work. You'll be passionate about relationship-based practice, confident in coaching and supporting colleagues, and motivated by making a lasting difference for children and families.
What you’ll do:
- Champion and embed Signs of Safety practice model across children's services.
- Coach, mentor, and support social workers, managers, and multi-agency partners to build confidence and consistency in practice.
- Deliver engaging learning opportunities, workshops, and reflective sessions.
- Support practice development through observation, feedback, and quality assurance.
- Promote a culture of learning, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Help drive the ambitions of the Families First Partnership, ensuring our practice reflects its vision of earlier intervention, stronger family networks, and meaningful partnership with children and families.
About you:
- A qualified and registered social worker with significant post-qualifying experience.
- Passionate about the Signs of Safety practice model and strengths-based, relationship-focused practice.
- Able to translate your experience into this role if you don’t have specific experience.
- An excellent communicator with the ability to inspire, influence, and motivate others.
- Skilled in coaching, training, mentoring, and supporting professional development.
- Committed to achieving the very best outcomes for children, young people, and their families.
Why join us?
At Bexley Children’s Services, we're committed to creating services that build on family strengths, work alongside communities, and intervene earlier to prevent problems from escalating. This role offers the chance to be at the forefront of that transformation. You'll join a supportive team that values innovation, reflective practice, and continuous learning, where your ideas, passion, and expertise will help shape the future of children’s services. We will provide the training and support to help you expand the role. Please note that the successful candidate will be required to be office based at least 3 days a week.
Candidate Profile:
For the full list of essential and desirable criteria for this role then please refer to the Person Specification within the Job Description attached. Appointment to this post will be subject to the outcome of an Enhanced Disclosure obtained through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Interviews scheduled to begin week commencing 17th August 2026.
About Us:
Bexley is a vibrant and diverse outer London Borough nestled in the Thames Gateway between London and Kent which means it combines the perfect blend of city vibe and the tranquillity of Kent. It's got award-winning parks, open spaces, and heritage sites. The borough has excellent transport connections, including the Elizabeth Line and proximity to the M25. Bexley offers fantastic amenities such as libraries, leisure centres, and shopping areas. Our borough is also home to numerous primary and secondary schools, as well as further education institutions.
Our Offer to you:
We will offer you in return a package that includes a competitive salary, coaching and mentoring programmes, an excellent pension scheme and generous annual leave plus bank holidays.
Recruitment Information:
As a disability confident employer Bexley welcomes applications from people with all disabilities, including hidden disabilities and mental health conditions. We will interview any disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to any part of the recruitment process due to your disability, please contact us on recruitment@bexley.gov.uk. This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This role may be available as a development opportunity through secondment for the Council’s existing employees. The Council’s Secondment Scheme can be found here. If this option is of interest, please contact the recruiting manager.
Consultant Social Worker - Signs of Safety in Bexleyheath employer: London Borough of Bexley
Bexley is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work environment that prioritises employee growth and development through coaching and mentoring programmes. With a strong commitment to inclusivity, we provide a competitive salary, excellent pension scheme, and generous annual leave, ensuring our Family Hub Practitioners can thrive both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Consultant Social Worker - Signs of Safety in Bexleyheath
✨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 London Borough of Bexley.
✨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 London Borough of Bexley!
✨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 London Borough of Bexley, 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 London Borough of Bexley 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 Consultant Social Worker - Signs of Safety in Bexleyheath
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 London Borough of Bexley:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to London Borough of Bexley! 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 London Borough of Bexley
✨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.
