At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with disabilities and their families through assessments and tailored care plans.
- Company: Brent Council, a vibrant and diverse community-focused organisation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, Golden Hello, retention payments, and generous leave.
- Other info: Flexible working options and strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children with disabilities.
- Qualifications: SWE registered with experience in children's social care, especially CWD.
The predicted salary is between 44685 - 48003 £ per year.
Salary range: £44,685 - £48,003 (PO2)/ £48,003 - £51,138 (PO3) DOE (plus Golden Hello, Retention Payment and fantastic benefits)
Contract: Permanent
Hours of work: 36 hours per week
Location: Civic centre and other location from time to time
Championing the Rights of Children with Disabilities
Brent is a vibrant, diverse London borough, proud of its rich history and strong community. At Brent Council, we are rated “Good” by Ofsted in all areas and are committed to putting children and families at the heart of everything we do. We believe that every child deserves the chance to thrive—no matter their circumstances. Our Children with Disabilities (CWD) team provides specialist support to children and young people aged 0–18 with severe and profound disabilities, as well as their families. We are looking for passionate, committed Social Workers to join us in making a real difference where it matters most.
Why CWD Matters
Children with disabilities and their families often face unique challenges that require specialist support. The CWD team is there to ensure these children are not only kept safe but also have every opportunity to fulfil their potential and live meaningful lives. By carrying out thorough assessments, coordinating services, and advocating for children’s rights, you will play a vital role in reducing barriers, empowering families, and making sure the voices of children with disabilities are always heard.
The Role
This is a role with real purpose. As a Social Worker in the CWD team, you will:
- Carry out comprehensive assessments of children with disabilities and their families.
- Develop and implement tailored care plans that meet children’s needs and promote positive outcomes.
- Arrange and coordinate services such as home care, equipment, direct payments, and short breaks.
- Advocate for the child and their family, ensuring they can access the resources and support they are entitled to.
- Safeguard children by identifying and addressing risks, undertaking Section 17/47 assessments where necessary.
- Support transition planning as young people move from children’s to adult services at age 18.
- Work closely with multi-agency partners, from health professionals to schools and voluntary sector organisations, to provide joined-up care.
The Person
We want Social Workers who are:
- SWE registered, with post-qualifying experience in children’s social care (experience with CWD highly desirable).
- Knowledgeable about child care law and the Children Act, able to apply it confidently in practice.
- Skilled at assessing complex needs and writing clear, evidence-based plans and reports.
- Compassionate, resilient, and committed to empowering children with disabilities and their families.
- Strong collaborators who thrive in multi-agency environments and bring creativity to problem-solving.
- Passionate about safeguarding children and committed to making a real difference.
Why Work With Us?
Your wellbeing and professional growth matter as much as the families you support. That’s why Brent offers:
- A £5,000 Golden Hello welcome payment
- Annual £2,500 retention payment to reward your continued commitment
- 10 days minimum training per year including systemic practice and Signs of Safety
- Clear career progression pathways—from ASYE to senior management
- High-quality reflective supervision and a learning culture
- Plus: 27 days annual leave, rising to 31 and then 33 days with service + 8 bank holidays
- Generous employer pension contributions
- Hybrid working – up to 2 days per week from home (role-dependent)
- Flexible working hours
- Supportive family-friendly policies
- Affordable local parking & access to Zipcar
- Employee Assistance Programme – 24/7 free counselling support
- Cycle to Work Scheme & excellent on-site facilities
- My Brent Rewards – save on shopping, dining, travel and more
- Financial wellbeing support – including season ticket and childcare deposit loans (eligibility applies)
Our Commitment to You
At Brent, we’re proud to reflect the community we serve. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage you to share your identity in our diversity survey. We’re also a Disability Confident Employer—we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. If you need any reasonable adjustments in the recruitment process, just let us know at recruitment@brent.gov.uk.
This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check and employment clearances in line with our safeguarding commitments.
Brent Council values the diversity of its community and aims to have a workforce that reflects this and therefore encourage applications from all sections of the community. We positively encourage all applicants to self-identify their characteristics in the diversity survey section in the application. We are committed to safer recruitment and safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Applicants should be aware that posts working with children, young people and vulnerable adults are subject to an Enhanced DBS check as well as other employment clearances.
Brent has a positive approach to flexible working. As a disability confident employer Brent welcomes applications from people with all disabilities, including “non-visible” disabilities and mental health conditions. We will interview any disabled applicant who meets the essential 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@brent.gov.uk.
Social Worker (Children With Disabilities) employer: LONDON BOROUGH OF BRENT
The London Borough of Brent is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that prioritises the health of our waterways. Employees benefit from professional development opportunities, a supportive team environment, and the chance to make a tangible impact on community health and environmental sustainability in one of London's vibrant boroughs.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker (Children With Disabilities)
✨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 BRENT.
✨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 BRENT!
✨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 BRENT, 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 BRENT 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 With Disabilities)
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 BRENT:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to LONDON BOROUGH OF BRENT! 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 BRENT
✨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.
