At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable young people and tackle extra-familial harm in a dynamic team.
- Company: Join Lewisham Council, a vibrant and diverse community-focused organisation.
- Benefits: Generous salary, flexible working, extensive training, and health support.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive environment with manageable caseloads and excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with at least three years' experience and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities! We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK's first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants. Are you an experienced and passionate Social Worker committed to safeguarding young people and tackling extra-familial harm? Lewisham Council is seeking motivated Senior Social Workers to join its innovative Risk Outside the Home (ROTH) Team, working with some of the most vulnerable young people exposed to exploitation, serious youth violence, county lines, missing episodes, and other contextual safeguarding concerns. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a specialist team that focuses on understanding and reducing harm occurring beyond the family home, whilst working collaboratively with young people, families, networks, partners, and communities. The role is primarily based at the Old Town Hall, Rushey Green, London, SE6 4RY, with a hybrid approach requiring regular office and home working.
Key responsibilities include:
- Holding and managing a caseload of adolescent safeguarding cases
- Leading on assessments, interventions, and planning for young people experiencing extra-familial harm
- Building trusted, trauma-informed relationships with young people and their families to achieve positive outcomes
- Chairing and contributing to multi-agency meetings and professional networks
- Working collaboratively with multi-agency partners, including police, education, health, youth justice, and community partners, to deliver robust safety planning
Excellent training and development opportunities are available, alongside a generous holiday allowance, Local Government Pension scheme, flexible working and family-friendly policies, season ticket and bicycle loans, a range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships, and supportive staff networks.
About you
Lewisham Council is looking for an experienced and passionate Social Worker who is committed to achieving outstanding outcomes for vulnerable young people. The successful candidate will bring specialist knowledge of contextual safeguarding and extra-familial harm, alongside the confidence to work across multi‑agency partnerships and challenge professionally where needed.
The ideal candidate will:
- Be a qualified Social Worker with a minimum of three years' post-qualification experience, registered with Social Work England
- Have a strong understanding of adolescent development and contextual safeguarding
- Be knowledgeable in exploitation, serious youth violence, contextual safeguarding, and trauma-informed practice
- Be skilled in building purposeful relationships with young people who may be reluctant to engage
- Have excellent communication, analysis, and risk assessment skills
- Be confident in multi‑agency working and professional challenge
- Demonstrate a commitment to anti‑oppressive practice and young person‑centred approaches
Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer and welcomes and encourages job applications of all abilities. Reasonable adjustments can be made throughout the application and interview process — please contact the lead contact on this advert to discuss. This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.
Core CSC Staff Benefits include:
- Generous salary for social workers at all levels
- Generous holiday entitlement - starting at 27 days a year (plus public holidays) rising to 32 and 35 days after 5- and 10-years’ continued service.
- Flexible working policies and a variety of hybrid, and flexible working options
- Health and Wellbeing support includes a staff support hub and 24/7 employee assistance programme which incorporates mental health support, counselling services and access to the PAM Assist health and wellbeing app.
Staff tell us they feel valued and enjoy working in Lewisham and are well supported by their managers with regular reflective supervision and good access to training.
Senior Social Worker - Risk Outside the Home Team 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 - Risk Outside the Home Team
✨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 - Risk Outside the Home Team
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.
