At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex cases and support vulnerable adolescents through innovative early intervention.
- Company: Join Lambeth Council, a vibrant community-focused organisation in South London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Be part of a multi-disciplinary team dedicated to improving outcomes for young people.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives and shape an innovative service.
- Qualifications: Social work qualification and extensive experience with vulnerable adolescents required.
The predicted salary is between 54360 - 57495 £ per year.
Full Time / Hybrid Working
About Us
Located in the heart of South London, Lambeth Borough is a vibrant community of over 317,600 residents. Stretching from the dynamic neighbourhood of Streatham in the South to the iconic landmarks of Waterloo in the North, we are proud to be the 9th largest borough in London. Our diversity is our strength, with more than 130 languages spoken, making Lambeth the home of the Windrush generation, London's largest LGBTQ+ community, and a thriving Portuguese-speaking community. It is an exciting time to join Lambeth Council, we have bold ambitions for the future of Lambeth’s communities and residents through our Lambeth 2030 Plan ‘Our Future, Our Lambeth. With exceptional schools, lush green spaces including Brockwell Park, cultural gems like the Black Cultural Archives, and world-renowned institutions such as St Thomas's Hospital, Lambeth offers an enriching and dynamic environment.
About the Team
Join the Adolescent Early Support Team. Help Us Change the Story for Adolescents. Some young people face increasing challenges long before they meet the threshold for statutory intervention. They may be disengaging from education, experiencing family conflict, becoming vulnerable to exploitation, going missing, associating with risky peer groups, struggling with emotional wellbeing, or becoming involved in low-level offending behaviour. Too often, support comes only after risks have become entrenched. The Adolescent Early Support Team is a prevention and engagement service for young people aged 11‑18, designed to intervene at the point of emerging risk and prevent escalation into crisis or statutory services. Through assertive outreach, trusted relationships and adolescent‑centred practice, we support young people to reconnect with education, strengthen family relationships and access positive pathways. The team will operate as Lambeth's adolescent prevention, early support and engagement service, providing intensive, relationship-based support to adolescents who may not engage with traditional services. The team may offer some services out of hours and during weekends. Our work is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, strengths-based and rooted in contextual safeguarding principles. Crucially for this team, we are also investing in a researcher role to help us understand how we shape the improvements and how we can locally arrange our adolescent services offer in ways that prevent crisis intervention.
Why Join Us
- Help shape an innovative new service from the outset
- Work within a research-led, adolescent-focused model
- Deliver meaningful early intervention and prevention
- Be part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Influence system changes and improve outcomes for young people
- Contribute to a service that aims to reduce harm, inequality and escalation into higher-level services
Champion Excellent Adolescent Practice
The Advanced Practitioner, social work qualified, will be a key practice leader, supporting complex interventions while helping colleagues develop outstanding adolescent-focused practice.
About The Role
You will:
- Lead on complex cases
- Model high-quality direct work with young people and families
- Support reflective practice and learning across the team
- Coach and mentor practitioners
- Promote trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches
- Contribute to quality assurance and practice development
About You
You will:
- Be recognised as an excellent social work practitioner
- Have extensive experience working with vulnerable adolescents
- Understand contextual and exploitation-related risks
- Be passionate about practice leadership and workforce development
- Have excellent assessment and relationship-building skills
The Adolescent Early Support Team is more than a new service. It is an opportunity to redesign how we support young people at the point where timely intervention can make the greatest difference. If you believe in the power of relationships, early intervention and adolescent-focused practice, we would love to hear from you. Join us in helping young people stay safe, stay connected and realise their potential.
Successful candidates will be asked to apply for an Enhanced Certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Further information about the DBS can be found at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/agencies-public-bodies/dbs. You will be required to undertake a Cifas check. Further information about Cifas can be found here Cifas.
At Lambeth, we are dedicated to providing quality services and equal opportunities for all. We are committed to safer recruitment and are proud to be a Stonewall diversity champion, a Living Wage Employer, and to guarantee interviews for all disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria of the role.
Advert closing date: 9th of August at midnight
Advanced Practitioner (AES) employer: London Borough of Lambeth
The London Borough of Lambeth is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its employees. With a focus on driving practice excellence in Children’s Social Care, staff are provided with ample opportunities for development through training and multi-agency collaboration, all while contributing to meaningful outcomes for the community. Located in vibrant London, employees enjoy a dynamic environment that encourages innovation and engagement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced Practitioner (AES)
✨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 Lambeth.
✨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 Lambeth!
✨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 Lambeth, 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 Lambeth 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 Advanced Practitioner (AES)
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 Lambeth:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to London Borough of Lambeth! 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 Lambeth
✨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.
