At a Glance
- Tasks: Build meaningful relationships with children and families to make a real difference.
- Company: Join Hillingdon's Outstanding Cared for Service, recognised for its supportive culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic teams with strong leadership and clear career progression pathways.
- Why this job: Be part of a trauma-informed service that truly values your impact on children's lives.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England, passionate about making a difference.
Join Hillingdon's Outstanding Cared for Service
About the role
Join Hillingdon's Outstanding Cared for 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.
Benefits
- Ambitious, dynamic and welcoming teams where you will be supported in your practice and your professional growth
- Salary up to £54,444 per year (including £2,250 retention payment)
- £2,250 Retention Payment
- SWE registration fee
- 5 minutes from Metropolitan and Picadilly lines and M40
- Free PARKING
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
- TOIL provided
- Rated Outstanding by Ofsted and CIT
- Manageable workload
- 100% permanent and experienced Senior Leadership Team
- Visible, accessible and supportive managers and senior leaders
- Regular reflective supervision and clinical consultation
- Excellent learning, development and career progression opportunities
- A relationship-based and trauma-informed practice model
- Modern, locality-based teams and working environments
- We have already implemented the Social Work reforms and innovative ways of working
- Up to 34 days annual leave rising to 37 days after long service, in addition to bank holidays.
About Our Cared For Service
Our cared for children’s service work with children who are unable to remain at home and those who are unaccompanied children seeking asylum. Our children tell us that our social workers help young people feel seen, heard, and supported. Our children are supported by a wide range of professionals, including our Multi-agency Psychology service, virtual school and participation and child’s voice team. We are now seeking social workers/senior social workers to support our cared for children.
Role Description
As a Social Worker in Hillingdon, no two days will be the same. You will:
- Build meaningful, relationship-based practice with children, families and carers.
- Be part of our journey to becoming a fully trauma-informed service, supported by a strong and stable leadership team.
- Lead and coordinate multi-agency care plans that safeguard children and enable them to reach their potential.
- Access regular supervision, clinical supervision, reflective practice, and extensive professional development opportunities.
- Trained to undertake Brief enquiries & merton compliant age assessments.
What We Are Looking For
We’re looking for passionate, resilient, and forward-thinking Social Workers who are ready to make a real impact.
You will be:
- A qualified Social Worker, registered with Social Work England.
- Committed to relationship-based and trauma-informed practice.
- Driven to make a difference for children with strong understanding of multi-agency partnership
- Creative, curious, reflective, and always open to learning and improvement.
What You'll Receive
Social Worker (POA): £42,771 – £46,968
Senior Social Worker (POB): £48,003 – £52,194
- Plus £2,250 Retention Payment (applicable to both Social Worker and Senior Social Worker grades)
- Potential package value up to £54,444 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.
Benefits Overview
- 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 tothe 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.
It may be necessary due to a high volume of applications to close this role early. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
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Senior / Social Worker - Cared for Children 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 - Cared for Children
✨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.
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.
