At a Glance
- Tasks: Build meaningful relationships with families and support children through trauma-informed practices.
- Company: Join Hillingdon's Outstanding Family Help Service, recognised for its commitment to social work excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement, and mental health support.
- Other info: Outstanding Ofsted rating and clear career progression pathways await you.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a supportive and collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Must have a recognised Social Work qualification and experience in statutory children's services.
The predicted salary is between 56444 - 56444 £ per year.
- £4,250 Retention Payment per annum
- SWE fee
About the role
- Join Hillingdon's Outstanding Family Help Service
- Why Social Workers Choose Hillingdon
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
- Salary up to
- £56,444 per year (including £4,250 retention payment)
- £4,250 Retention Payment per annum
- SWE fee
- Free on-site parking
- 5 minutes from Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
- Outstanding by Ofsted
- Manageable caseloads
- 100% of our Senior Leadership Team are permanent
- Visible, accessible and supportive managers
- Excellent learning, development and career progression opportunities
- Regular reflective supervision and clinical consultation
- A relationship-based and trauma-informed practice model
- Modern, locality-based teams and working environments
- 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.
By working in smaller geographical areas, social workers can spend more time with children and families, strengthen local partnerships and deliver interventions that make a lasting difference.
One family described our workers as: "A beacon of hope in very troubled waters."
The Role
- 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.
What We're Looking For
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.
- What You'll Receive
- Senior Social Worker (POB) - £48,003 - £52,194
- Plus £4,250 Retention Payment (applicable to both Social Worker and Senior Social Worker grades)
- Potential package value up to £56,444 per annum.
Salary placement will be determined based on qualifications, skills and experience.
Why Hillingdon?
- 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.
About You
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.
Here’s a comprehensive overview of the fantastic benefits we provide
- Flexible Working Hours – We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
- 36 Hour Week – Enjoy a standard 36‑hour workweek for all full time staff.
- Generous Holiday Entitlement – increasing with length of service (for non‑casual roles).
- Hillingdon Sports & Leisure – Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
- Salary Sacrifice Schemes – option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
- Cycle to Work – Eco‑friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
- Local Government Pension Scheme – access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
- Vivup Benefits – Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Vivup Benefits.
- Mental Health Support and Counselling Services – Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues.
Access free 24‑hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
- Travel Support – Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.
- Trade Union Membership – The Council recognises UNISON, Unite, AEP and GMB and supports employees’ freedom of choice in relation to trade union membership.
- Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace.
This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly.
The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds.
We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.
Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation's success.
Recruitment Information
Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme.
We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a ‘per application’ basis.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject to the following pre‑employment screening:
- Enhanced DBS Check
- Qualifications Check
- Professional Registration Check
- 5 years of Referencing
Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council.
Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.
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Senior Social Worker: Trauma‑Informed Family Help (Hybrid) in London employer: London Borough of Hillingdon
The London Borough of Hillingdon offers a dynamic work environment where employees are valued for their contributions to the community. With flexible hours and a strong emphasis on teamwork, this role provides opportunities for personal growth and skill development in a supportive council setting. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a balanced work-life experience.
Contact Details:
London Borough of Hillingdon Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Worker: Trauma‑Informed Family Help (Hybrid) 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 London Borough of Hillingdon.
✨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 Hillingdon!
✨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 Hillingdon, 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 Hillingdon 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: Trauma‑Informed Family Help (Hybrid) 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 London Borough of Hillingdon:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to London Borough of Hillingdon! 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 Hillingdon
✨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.
