At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a passionate team to safeguard children and support families in Southwark.
- Company: Southwark Council, committed to equality and community support.
- Benefits: £2,500 welcome payment, annual retention bonuses, flexible working, and professional development.
- Other info: Diverse and supportive environment with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your social work career.
- Qualifications: Recognised Social Work qualification, registration with Social Work England, and MASH experience.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
This role is subject to a £2,500 welcome payment (£1,250 on appointment and £1,250 on successful completion of probation), plus retention payments of £3,000 per year for the first two years, increasing to £4,000 per year from year three. Southwark's Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) is looking for a passionate and dedicated Senior Social Worker to join an exceptional team and help make a meaningful difference for children and families across Southwark. This is an opportunity to use your experience to identify risk, safeguard children, and support positive outcomes for families — all within a supportive, multi-agency environment that values collaboration and professional development.
As a Senior Social Worker within the MASH Team, you will manage a balanced caseload, undertake high-quality screening and assessment of referrals, and contribute to the learning and development of peers. You will work closely with partner agencies to share intelligence, analyse information from multiple sources, and present cases at Threshold Meetings, whilst providing advice and guidance to both families and professionals.
Key responsibilities include:
- Identifying and assessing risks, needs, and safeguarding concerns for children and families
- Conducting MASH intelligence checks with partner agencies and making recommendations regarding risk levels
- Analysing and triangulating information from multiple sources to inform decision-making
- Signposting and referring families to appropriate services and support networks
- Providing advice, guidance, and information to families and professionals
The role is based at Queens Road, Peckham, London SE15 2HP, working 36 hours per week on a permanent basis.
About you
Southwark is looking for an experienced and committed social work professional who brings strong analytical skills and a genuine passion for improving outcomes for children and families. The successful candidate will thrive in a multi-agency environment and be committed to tackling inequality, injustice, and racism in everything they do.
The ideal candidate will:
- Hold a recognised Social Work qualification (or equivalent)
- Be currently registered with Social Work England
- Have successfully completed the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE)
- Have significant experience working within a MASH Team in the UK
- Demonstrate strong assessment and analytical skills
- Have knowledge of child development, parenting capacity, environmental factors, and risk and protective factors affecting children
- Have experience working with families in a diverse inner-London borough setting
- Possess excellent communication and relationship-building skills
- Demonstrate a collaborative and proactive approach to partnership working
- Show a commitment to improving outcomes for children and tackling inequality, injustice, and racism
Southwark Council is committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the communities it serves. Through the Southwark Stands Together initiative, the council promotes equality, inclusion, and opportunity, and particularly welcomes applications from Black, Asian, and ethnically diverse communities. A Guaranteed Interview Scheme is available for candidates who meet the minimum requirements and are current or former members of the Armed Forces, care experienced, or disabled or living with a long-term health condition. This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check, including a Children's Barred List check.
About Southwark
We are the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues and social enterprises and we have a young, diverse and growing population. At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.
At Southwark Children’s Services, we pride ourselves on doing our vital job differently. Our systemic, holistic, family-centred approach sits at the core of our values. And our endlessly supportive, collective, culture underpins everything we do to protect vulnerable children across our borough. Southwark is a great place to grow and develop as a social worker. We continue to provide fantastic career progression opportunities. Supported by great partnerships and resources we are always growing and developing what we do through innovation, investment in our workforce and, most importantly, listening to children and families, and those that work with them.
Our offer to staff includes:
- Competitive remuneration packages
- The opportunity to work in a vibrant borough in the heart of London with excellent access to Central London and easy transport links to the South East
- A multi-cultural and diverse working environment, which provides excellent opportunities for enhancing your skills
- Modern digital plan with technology to support flexible working arrangements
- Professional development and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities through an established and extensive learning and development plan and opportunities.
- Opportunities to train as a Practice Educator and develop experience with student clinical practitioners attached to every team to support you as an individual and your work with children and families.
- Culture of innovation and a ‘can do’ approach to problem solving in Social Care
- Stable, supportive leadership; Southwark has a lower ratio of workers to managers than most local authorities
- Small teams with supportive managers and manageable caseload
- Travel season ticket loans, cycle scheme, essential user care parking permits and local government pension
- Family friendly, flexible and agile working, from home or on-site
- Wellbeing programme, HSF Health plan and eye care scheme, EAP employee assistance programme, confidential counselling and support, and access to subsidised HSF health plan
Discover the benefits of a social work career, then browse London's social work jobs!
Senior Social Worker - MASH in London employer: London Social Work for Children
Haringey Council is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that champions diversity and community engagement. With a strong commitment to professional development through the Haringey Academy and access to clinical support, social workers are empowered to make meaningful impacts in the lives of children and families. Located in the dynamic borough of Haringey, employees benefit from a supportive environment, competitive remuneration, and the opportunity to be part of a transformative journey towards excellence in children's services.
Contact Details:
London Social Work for Children Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Worker - MASH 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 Social Work for Children.
✨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 Social Work for Children!
✨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 Social Work for Children, 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 Social Work for Children 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 Senior Social Worker - MASH 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 Social Work for Children:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to London Social Work for Children! 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 Social Work for Children
✨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.
