Social Worker - Corporate Parenting

This role is subject to a £3,000 retention bonus/market supplement.

About the role

Bursting with culture, energy, and opportunity, the London Borough of Waltham Forest is a fantastic and exciting place to work. We are seeking dedicated, qualified, and experienced Social Workers to join our Corporate Parenting teams — a place where you can realise your potential. If you are a dedicated and creative social worker looking to make your mark working with children in care, develop your career, and improve the lives of children and their families, our forward-thinking Children's Directorate should be your next career destination.

We are a supportive, focused, and inspirational service. Our shared purpose is to nurture independence and freedom of choice in our children, young people, and families, helping them to achieve the best possible outcomes. Promoting creativity is at the heart of our agenda to develop social work — you will be encouraged to share ideas, bring about positive change, and strive to continuously improve outcomes for our vulnerable children and young people. In return for your hard work, we will give you the time and active support you need to make a difference.

Key responsibilities include:

• Undertaking statutory social work with children who are looked after, providing support, assessment of their ongoing and changing needs, and interventions to secure their welfare
• Assessing the needs of children and their families, and formulating plans in accordance with statutory responsibilities and departmental policies
• Attending court hearings as appropriate and giving evidence when necessary, ensuring timescales are met for court reports and panel papers
• Ensuring each child has a detailed Care Plan which can be presented to Review, in consultation with the team manager
• Promoting placement stability and permanence, and maximising life chances for looked after children through education, health care, and leisure opportunities

About you

We are looking for a qualified and experienced social worker who is passionate about making a real difference for children in care and their families. The successful candidate will bring creativity, commitment, and a collaborative approach to their practice.

The ideal candidate will:

• Hold a social work degree and be registered with Social Work England
• Have proven social work experience in a children and families setting, with a minimum of one year's post-qualifying experience
• Demonstrate knowledge and experience of issues relating to children in need, child protection, and looked-after children, including relevant legislation, guidance, and procedures
• Have experience of delivering services that are culturally sensitive and responsive to the needs of a multi-cultural community
• Be able to prioritise effectively and work well under pressure
• Be able to manage a quality service by ensuring key performance indicators relating to the service area are met
• Work well within a team and maintain clear and regular reporting lines to line management and senior team members
• Display agile behaviours and respond effectively to change
• Communicate clearly both verbally and in writing, and follow through on required actions
• Demonstrate a commitment to the participation of children, young people, and their families at both individual and service level
• Hold a suitable driver's licence
• Be able, in rare emergency situations, to work flexible or unsocial hours at short notice

This role is subject to satisfactory employment references, a CIFAS identity check, a declaration of interest, and an enhanced DBS check. Continued registration with a professional body is required. Waltham Forest is a diverse borough where diversity is valued and is integral to both service delivery and employment. The Council is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. An anonymous shortlisting process is in operation to reduce the risk of bias in recruitment.

About Waltham Forest

We know what social work is WORTH! Make the difference to the lives of children and families in Waltham Forest!

Bursting with culture, energy, and opportunity, our borough is a fantastic place where people want to live, work and play.

Why join us at Waltham Forest?

9 out of 10 staff in our social care teams enjoy our strong learning culture, which focuses on new and emerging trends

We invest in your development to help you find your niche, specialising in areas underpinned by a clear strengths-based approach

Inspiring leadership and ambition rated Outstanding

Diverse and inclusive teams who improve lives and make a real difference – a safe and inclusive environment, with active employee-led networks and initiatives

A brand-new Town Hall HQ at Fellowship Square, with innovative and flexible workspace

What our staff say

As a borough which celebrates diversity and inclusivity, we believe that it is important for you to hear from a cross-section of staff working within Waltham Forest. Watch a selection of our staff case studies below.

A rewarding role in an Ofsted rated GOOD children’s services department

Stable leadership rated by Ofsted as OUTSTANDING

Strong Continuing Professional Development (CPD) offer including Virtual Reality (VR) training

Competitive salaries and retention bonuses

A range of health & Wellbeing initiatives and vibrant staff-led networks such as our Race Equality Network

Flexible working options

Manageable caseloads

Travel season ticket loan, cycle scheme, Local Authority pension

Find out more

If you are interested in having an informal discussion about working in children's social care at Waltham Forest please contact:

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