Children\'s Social Worker

Children\'s Social Worker

London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support children and families through assessments, planning, and interventions.
  • Company: Join the London Borough of Sutton Children’s Services, a supportive and inclusive environment.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and various employee perks.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while working in a collaborative team.
  • Qualifications: Must be a qualified Social Worker with relevant experience and registration.
  • Other info: Receive a welcome and retention bonus, plus ongoing professional development opportunities.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Welcome and Retention Bonus: £ paid in your first month salary and £ paid at the end of your 1st completed year in service, £ paid after your 2nd completed year in service, £ paid in your 3rd completed year in service and every completed year thereafter. Whole package totals up to £47, (including Retention Bonus).

Social Workers within this service area are able to work flexibly between home and work to meet the needs of the service whilst recognising the benefits that a hybrid model of working can bring. We are looking for confident and skilled Social Workers to work in our Locality Team. Our objective is to deliver the best outcomes for children and young people.

Reporting to the Team Manager, you will work within the frameworks of Section 17 and Section 47 - undertaking assessments, planning, and interventions with children and their families. Your role will include direct work with children to keep them safe, ensuring their voices, wishes, and views are central to the planning and delivery of work. You will lead and coordinate multi-agency partnerships, plans, interventions, and meetings to ensure children and young people are safe and their holistic needs are met.

Within your team’s geographical area, you will support children and young people through robust assessment, SMART planning, and effective intervention to achieve positive outcomes within their families and communities. Working within a restorative practice approach, you will collaborate with families and multi-agency colleagues to address both presenting concerns and underlying difficulties. Compliance with statutory requirements is essential, and as a Social Worker, you will deliver all work in accordance with safeguarding policies, procedures, and standards, always prioritising the child’s welfare.

About Us: The London Borough of Sutton Children’s Services offers a supportive and inclusive environment for its qualified social work staff. We provide specialist support on challenging cases, regular structured supervision, and a culture that encourages staff participation and voice. Our Locality Teams deliver social work services to children and young people living at home under Section 17 or Section 47 of the Children Act, working in partnership with relevant agencies, children, young people, and their families. We ensure a manageable caseload, regular supervision, daily management support, and abundant learning opportunities. Our flexible working approach promotes work/life balance, including options for home and office work.

We collaborate with Kingston University and regional partners through the Developing Together Social Work Teaching Partnership (SWTP), offering a wide range of educational opportunities, including supporting social work students and ASYE practitioners. Staff can attend conferences, workshops, and access research resources for ongoing professional development. Sutton Council supports various staff networks such as the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic +A Network, LGBTQ +A Network, and Women’s +A Network, to ensure staff voices are heard and foster positive change.

About You: The successful candidates will be enthusiastic, motivated, and have a caring, calm approach with a thorough understanding of social work frameworks. You will bring insight and experience, demonstrate initiative, and be committed to high standards of practice. You should enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and be able to deliver consistent, energetic, and passionate support to children and young people. Empathy, strong interpersonal skills, and evidence-based decision-making are essential. We welcome experienced child protection practitioners with strong assessment and direct work skills, capable of comprehensive writing, clear communication, and research-based analysis.

Our supportive management offers regular supervision and case discussions. The ideal candidate will also demonstrate the following competencies: You are a Qualified Social Worker with a Social Work degree or recognised qualification, registered with Social Work England. You have completed the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE). You possess the skills, knowledge, and aptitude to safeguard vulnerable people and adhere to statutory functions, policies, and procedures in a timely manner. If you have experience in children’s services, are competent in assessment and direct work, and seek a challenging next step with a supportive team, apply today!

Our Offer To You: We value talent and are committed to your professional growth in a supportive, friendly, and collaborative environment. Your ideas will be encouraged and supported by experienced colleagues and management. We offer a modern, flexible working environment supported by IT infrastructure, including Google Chromebooks and Apps. Our benefits include:

  • Generous annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time)
  • Flexi-time (grades 1-9 roles)
  • Comprehensive learning and development programs
  • Local and national discounts
  • Interest-free season ticket loans
  • Local Government Pension Scheme
  • Car parking scheme
  • Bicycle loan and cycle-to-work schemes
  • Zip car scheme
  • Free eye tests and glasses contribution
  • Wellbeing and counselling support
  • Subsidised gym membership

Children\'s Social Worker employer: LONDON BOROUGH OF SUTTON

The London Borough of Sutton Children’s Services is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive environment for qualified social workers. With a focus on professional growth, flexible working arrangements, and manageable caseloads, we prioritise the well-being of our staff while ensuring the best outcomes for children and young people. Our commitment to collaboration, ongoing learning opportunities, and diverse staff networks fosters a culture where every voice is valued, making it a rewarding place to work.
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Contact Detail:

LONDON BOROUGH OF SUTTON Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Children\'s Social Worker

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the frameworks of Section 17 and Section 47 of the Children Act. Understanding these legal frameworks will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to safeguarding children and young people.

✨Tip Number 2

Highlight your experience in multi-agency partnerships during networking events or informal meet-ups. Building connections with professionals in related fields can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals for the position.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your understanding of restorative practice approaches in conversations with current social workers or during interviews. This will illustrate your alignment with the team's values and your readiness to collaborate effectively with families and colleagues.

✨Tip Number 4

Engage with local community groups or organisations that focus on children's services. This involvement can enhance your knowledge of the specific needs within the locality and demonstrate your proactive approach to supporting children and families.

We think you need these skills to ace Children\'s Social Worker

Qualified Social Worker with a recognised qualification
Understanding of social work frameworks
Experience in children’s services
Strong assessment skills
Direct work skills with children and families
Ability to conduct comprehensive writing
Clear communication skills
Evidence-based decision-making
Empathy and strong interpersonal skills
Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures
Ability to lead multi-agency partnerships
Experience with Section 17 and Section 47 of the Children Act
Robust planning and intervention skills
Commitment to high standards of practice
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
Initiative and motivation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the role of a Children's Social Worker. Emphasise your understanding of social work frameworks, assessment skills, and any direct work with children.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for working with children and young people. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to deliver positive outcomes and your commitment to safeguarding.

Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your qualifications, including your Social Work degree and registration with Social Work England. If you have completed the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE), make sure to mention this as well.

Showcase Your Soft Skills: In your application, highlight essential soft skills such as empathy, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with families and multi-agency colleagues. Provide examples of how you've used these skills in past roles.

How to prepare for a job interview at LONDON BOROUGH OF SUTTON

✨Understand the Frameworks

Familiarise yourself with Section 17 and Section 47 of the Children Act. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these frameworks in your assessments and interventions during the interview.

✨Showcase Your Empathy

Demonstrate your ability to connect with children and families. Share examples from your past experiences where you successfully advocated for a child's needs and ensured their voices were heard.

✨Highlight Multi-Agency Collaboration

Be ready to talk about your experience working with various agencies. Discuss specific instances where you coordinated with other professionals to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people.

✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

Anticipate scenario-based questions that assess your decision-making skills and ability to handle challenging situations. Practice articulating your thought process and the rationale behind your decisions.

Children\'s Social Worker
LONDON BOROUGH OF SUTTON
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