At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families through assessments and guidance in a dynamic team.
- Company: Join the vibrant London Borough of Waltham Forest, committed to community and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, retention bonus, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Flexible working options available to support work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Must be a registered social worker with experience in assessments.
The predicted salary is between 41133 - 52194 £ per year.
Organisation: London Borough of Waltham Forest
Salary: PO1 - PO4 £41,133 - £52,194
Retention Bonus/ Market Supplement: This position will attract the retention bonus of £2000 per year in two instalments of £1000
Contract Type: Full-Time/Permanent
Working hours per week: 36
Application Deadline: 17/11/2026
Proposed Interview Date(s): TBC
Reference: 2207
About Us: Bursting with culture, energy, and opportunity, the London Borough of Waltham Forest is a fantastic and exciting place to work. We are a highly ambitious borough. Driven by culture and the innate creativity of our residents, we have developed new and innovative ways to build our communities. Our Council is relentlessly resident-focused, insight-led, digitally driven and commercially minded; a Council focused on meeting the needs of our existing and future residents.
London Borough of Waltham Forest is one of the Mayor of London’s Good Work Standard employers. This accreditation is proof of our commitment to creating a healthy, fair and inclusive workplace. This includes fair pay and conditions, workplace well-being, skills and progression and diversity and recruitment.
About the role: Reporting to the Permanence & Post Order Advanced Practitioner/Team manager, to hold a caseload of assessments and/or support cases in Permanence and Post Order Support Team. To ensure that the necessary assessments (Viability/Regulation 24 & 25/Connected Person/SGO) are completed to a high standard within court timelines, predicated on sound judgement and decision making, safeguard children and young people and achieve the best possible outcomes. To ensure that practice is in accordance with the relevant legislation, regulations, and guidance. To exemplify best practice and apply professional rigour to assessment and/or support cases. To attend Practice Support Group and provide professional advice and case-related guidance to social workers and other professionals, sharing knowledge, skills, and behaviours to develop the practice of others. The Permanence Social Worker will maintain accurate case related records.
Key Responsibilities:
- To exemplify expert and best practice in relation to assessment and/or support cases of varying complexity.
- The relevant assessments (Viability/Connected Person/SGO) are completed to a high standard and to required timescales.
- Assessments accurately identify need/s and vary in complexity.
- Practice complies with the relevant legislation, regulations, and practice standards and risks of varying complexity are well managed/mitigated effectively.
- Professional advice and other case-related guidance is provided to team members.
- Regular attendance/contribution to Practice Support Group.
- Hold a caseload including kinship assessments and delivery of support services to Kinship carers.
- Carry out all duties with an awareness and understanding of the Safeguarding requirements within area of responsibility.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the relevant theories/models and incorporate these into professional practice, PSG discussion and case-related guidance to others.
- A critical knowledge of the range of social work-related theories and models is demonstrated in professional practice and case-related guidance (including PSG) to social workers and other professionals.
Qualifications and Requirements: To be considered for this position, you should meet the following requirements:
- Professional registration with the relevant body (Social Work England).
- Experience of completing the assessments.
- Knowledge of Fostering/Connected carers and Special Guardianship area.
Terms and conditions: The below terms and conditions apply to this role:
- Satisfactory employment references and CIFAS identity checks;
- Satisfactory declaration of interest;
- This role is subject to safer recruitment practices as it involves work with children and/or vulnerable adults;
- Satisfactory DBS check;
- Continued professional body registration;
- As a public authority, we must ensure that members of staff in public-facing roles are able to speak fluent English.
How to Apply: Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications online by pressing the ‘Apply’ button below. This includes a supporting statement that outlines to us how your skills and experience make you a good candidate for this vacancy. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Waltham Forest is a diverse borough where diversity is valued and is integral to both service delivery and employment of its staff. The Council is proud of its rich mix of communities and as the largest employer in the area, it works hard to respond to the changing needs of its population.
Respecting Diversity is a core Council value. To support the above and reduce the risk of bias in its recruitment activities, the council is operating an anonymous shortlisting process, which hides personal information that can identify individuals until their application has been considered for shortlisting.
If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below or feel free to discuss this during your interview.
Social Worker in London employer: London Borough of Waltham Forest
Little Learners Nursery Group is an exceptional employer located in Walthamstow, offering a nurturing work environment where staff can thrive while making a meaningful impact on children's lives. With a strong commitment to diversity and equality, the nursery fosters a culture of respect and inclusion, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development. Employees enjoy flexible hours and the chance to engage with a vibrant community, making it a rewarding place to work for those passionate about early childhood education.
Contact Details:
London Borough of Waltham Forest Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker 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 Waltham Forest.
✨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 Waltham Forest!
✨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 Waltham Forest, 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 Waltham Forest 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 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 Waltham Forest:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to London Borough of Waltham Forest! 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 Waltham Forest
✨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.
