At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with disabilities and their families through social work and multi-agency collaboration.
- Company: Join Sutton Council, a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to community wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with strong support for staff wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with a passion for supporting vulnerable groups.
The predicted salary is between 42060 - 50085 £ per year.
Employer: Sutton Council
Location(s): Sutton
Workplace Type: Hybrid Working
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: Full Time
Grade: 8
Salary Range: £42,060 - £50,085 (£52,194 unconsolidated maximum)
Salary Basis: Per annum
Enhancements/Additional Payments: Recruitment and Retention payments
Leave Entitlement: 28 days
Application Deadline: 02/08/2026, 23:55
Anticipated Interview Date(s): TBC
About the Borough: The London Borough of Sutton is situated less than 30 minutes by train from Central London, with direct connections to London Victoria and London Bridge. Found in zone 5 with good transport links in and out of London, Sutton boasts award winning parks and open spaces, low crime rates, affordable housing and great schools. As well as high levels of resident engagement and satisfaction, providing quality services and success in addressing our financial challenges, whilst involving residents in key issues and high street changes. Sutton is continuously investing in the health, wellbeing and education of our residents and the future generation, as set out in the “Ambitious for Sutton” corporate plan. We are home to the Royal Marsden Hospital and the Institute of Cancer Research. Together with the development of the London Cancer Hub, Sutton will be the world’s leading life-science district, specialising in cancer research and treatment. Our vision will create around 13,000 jobs while contributing £1.2bn to the UK economy each year, a vibrant community of scientists, doctors and innovative companies intended to deliver real benefits for cancer patients and drive economic growth. With the regeneration of the local areas with new homes and schools, Sutton is passionate about working closely with our residents and vulnerable groups to help them maintain their independence and create a balance between support and independent living.
About the Role and our Ideal Candidate: Social Workers on selected pay grades are eligible for our Welcome and Retention Bonus: £1000 paid in your first month salary and £1000 paid at the end of your 1st completed year in service. £2000 paid after your 2nd completed year in service. £3000 paid in your 3rd completed year in service and every completed year thereafter. Reimbursement of the Social Work England Registration. 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.
About Us: An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Social Worker position in the SEND Family Help Service (formerly the Children and Young People's Disability Service). The SEND Family Help Service consists of a social work team and two teams with alternatively qualified workers who support children with disabilities and their families. We provide support to children with significant needs, including family networks, short breaks, direct work, preparation for adulthood and statutory social work services such as child protection and children looked after. We believe in restorative and trauma informed work with the whole family rooted in robust multi-agency networks of support. Our service has developed alongside the principles of the Families First approach, with workers retaining relationships with their families, bringing in other services/professionals to support as needed. We are incredibly ambitious both for our young people achieving and thriving into adulthood and also for our service and are embarking on a new journey to develop a physically located multi-agency SEND Family Hub and Help Service - becoming a place that all families can come to for the right support and care, at the time that they need it.
Our Offer To You: As an organisation that values and nurtures talent, we’re committed to helping you fulfil your potential and will offer you a supportive, friendly and collaborative environment to grow and develop your career and skills. We’re constantly striving to improve our ways of working so putting your ideas across however big or small; will be fully encouraged and supported by your colleagues and our dynamic and experienced management team. Employees have access to a wide range of benefits to enable staff to achieve a work life balance, some of which include:
- A generous annual leave entitlement of 26-32 days plus bank holidays (pro-rata if part-time working hours apply) depending on service and grade
- Enhanced Maternity, paternity, shared parental, adoption and dependents leave
- Two volunteering days per year
- Flexible Working - Smarter Working Scheme (dependent on the role)
- Adjustable and agile working arrangements using Google Chromebooks
- Learning and development portal offering a range of courses
- Discounts on a range of local shops, restaurants, gyms and leisure centres
- Interest free season ticket loans
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Bicycle loan facilities and cycle to work scheme
- Electric vehicle leasing scheme
- Confidential health & wellbeing and counselling support
Additional Information: We are proud to be a diverse and welcoming Borough and we strive to create a workforce which reflects the community we serve, and instil a sense of belonging in our staff. We celebrate and respect differences and appreciate the value of having a diverse workforce, therefore we welcome applications from under represented groups. To support our workers and their families we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, staff engagement forums and inclusive staff networks who help drive our diversity agenda. We are also proud to be a disability confident employer and guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria for a role. As an accredited London Living Wage Employer all our employees are guaranteed the London Living Wage regardless of their length or type of contract.
Important Information - Criminal Records: This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory result to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children. It replaces the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).
Social Worker - SEND Family Help Service in London employer: LONDON BOROUGH OF SUTTON
The London Borough of Sutton is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises professional development and community engagement. As a Dance Enrichment Tutor, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of learners with special educational needs, while enjoying a collaborative environment that fosters growth and innovation. With a commitment to quality assurance and a vibrant curriculum, you will be part of a team dedicated to enhancing educational outcomes in a diverse and inclusive setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker - SEND Family Help Service 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 SUTTON.
✨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 SUTTON!
✨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 SUTTON, 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 SUTTON 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 - SEND Family Help Service 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 SUTTON:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to LONDON BOROUGH OF SUTTON! 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 SUTTON
✨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.
