At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families, guiding them through challenges to build brighter futures.
- Company: Join the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's dedicated Locality Social Work Team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, £2,500 Child Protection allowance, generous leave, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a supportive and collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Recognised Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England required.
The predicted salary is between 31172 - 38099 £ per year.
Posted 22nd Oct, 2026
Location: Kensington and Chelsea
Working pattern: Full-time – Full-time hours per week
Working arrangements: Blended
Incentives: This role includes a £2,500 Child Protection allowance (applicable at both the minimum and maximum of the pay scale).
About the role: Support children and families across the borough, guiding them through life's challenges and helping them build brighter futures. As a Social Worker in the Locality Social Work Team at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC), you’ll work directly with children and families to help them find stability, safety and opportunity — seeing each child's journey in full, from first assessment through to long-term planning. This is hands-on, purposeful work where no two days are the same, and where your judgement, compassion and persistence can make a lasting difference in a child's life. You’ll be part of a supportive, collaborative service that’s proud to have maintained an Outstanding rating for over a decade. It's an exciting time to join as RBKC moves forward with national Social Care Reforms — shaping how even better services are delivered for families.
What you'll be doing: You’ll manage a varied caseload, providing high-quality social work across all stages of a child's journey. Your approach will combine empathy and professionalism, helping families overcome challenges and ensuring children are safe, supported and heard. Key responsibilities include:
- Managing cases across Child in Need, Child Protection, Looked After Children and court work
- Participating in a locality-based duty system and collaborating with partner agencies for a joined-up response
- Maintaining accurate, timely case recording, financial transactions and clear documentation
- Representing the service in meetings and court, and contributing to working groups
- Staying up to date with legislation, policy and best practice
Why join RBKC? At RBKC, we’re all in — investing in our people, our communities and our future. You’ll be valued, supported and encouraged to thrive, with access to regular supervision, peer learning, and training and development programmes including Systemic Practice and leadership pathways. You’ll also benefit from the We Are Learning Hub, flexible working options, generous leave and a workplace culture built on respect and trust. You’ll be based in the borough four days a week, with one day a week from home. New hires will normally start at the minimum of the pay scale; however, a higher starting salary may be negotiated where a candidate demonstrates exceptional skills, knowledge, or experience.
About you: RBKC is looking for a dedicated and compassionate Social Worker who shares its core values of putting communities first, respecting others, acting with integrity and working together to achieve the best outcomes for families. Whether experienced or newly qualified, the right candidate will bring the drive, empathy and professionalism that this fast‑paced, rewarding role demands. The ideal candidate will:
- Hold a recognised Social Work qualification and be registered with Social Work England
- Have an up‑to‑date Enhanced DBS check covering both children and adults
- Have experience of child protection or statutory childcare work, or — if newly qualified — a relevant placement demonstrating readiness for practice
- Demonstrate strong skills in risk assessment, communication and relationship-building
- Be able to work sensitively with children, families and professionals
- Show strong organisation, resilience and attention to detail when managing complex cases and competing demands
- Be confident using IT systems and able to plan effectively for children’s long‑term needs
RBKC is committed to promoting equality and respecting diversity, and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. RBKC is a Disability Confident Employer, committed to ensuring that its recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible. This role requires the successful candidate to undertake an Enhanced Adults and Children's DBS check with Adults and Children Barred List.
About Kensington and Chelsea: As a social worker, Kensington and Chelsea presents a unique and rewarding work environment. The borough is home to a diverse community and the demographic make up of our staff reflects this. We are committed to promoting equality and celebrating the benefits of diversity. We are a Disability Confident Employer – committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible. The borough’s commitment to social care is reflected in its innovative approach to service delivery. For example, the Council has established a Bi-Borough partnership with neighbouring borough Westminster, which allows for the sharing of resources and expertise. The partnership has resulted in improved service delivery and better outcomes for vulnerable residents, which was recognised in our last ILACS inspection which found Kensington and Chelsea to be Outstanding in all judgement areas.
“Children in care and care leavers receive an outstanding service from workers who know them exceptionally well and are caring and ambitious for them. There is strong corporate support from the wider council to provide high-quality social work services for children, including significant financial investment so that the conditions are in place for excellent social work practice to flourish.” Ofsted
Social workers in Kensington and Chelsea can look forward to a package that includes a competitive salary and child protection payment of £2,500 for social worker positions, membership of the Local Government pension scheme, Travel allowance scheme for zones 1 and 2, cycle scheme, reimbursement of Social Work England fees, generous annual leave plus bank holidays and discounts for many leisure activities, restaurants, shops and other establishments. Employees also benefit from an extensive training package, with access to the West London Alliance essential training and to years 1 and 2 of Systemic Practice. In addition, we offer an annual leave purchase scheme where you can purchase up to 5 days annual leave per annum at 90 per cent of the actual cost. The Council has a staff contributory private healthcare scheme, open to all staff and offers a Dental Insurance Plan.
Social Worker - Locality Social Work Team 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 Social Worker - Locality Social Work Team 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 Social Worker - Locality Social Work Team 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.
