Specialist Caseworker - Families in London

Safer London provides consistent, trauma‐informed support to children and young people who have experienced harm, helping them move from crisis to stability and from harm to hope. We support young Londoners affected by a range of harms – criminal exploitation, sexual exploitation and violence, community and peer‐to‐peer harm. Support takes place in community settings where the young person feels safe – schools, parks, cafés or other safe places. Each child or young person is matched with a caseworker and meets them weekly. The support normally lasts between six and eighteen months, but can continue for as long as needed. Interventions are tailored to identity, experience and needs, focusing on safety planning, emotional well‐being, healthy peer relationships, family dynamics, education, training, employment and housing. The team includes specialists and an inclusive families unit.

In this role you will cultivate trusting relationships with parents and carers, offering personalised, one‐to‐one support. Your responsibilities will include direct support and advocacy, safeguarding and the wellbeing of families whose child(ren) are affected by violence and exploitation. You will work with a multidisciplinary team, collaborating with partner agencies to manage risk, secure services and provide holistic support for families.

• Deliver effective one‐to‐one support to families.
• Carry out robust risk and strengths‐based needs assessments, prioritising safeguarding.
• Maintain high‐quality case records in Safer London's bespoke system.
• Prepare reports for statutory bodies and keep families informed.
• Maintain effective written and verbal communication, both face‐to‐face and virtual.
• Identify and complete risk assessments for safe spaces and services.
• Make appropriate referrals and signpost families to support services.
• Advocate for entitlement services where necessary.
• Work with partners, communities and stakeholders to deliver the service.
• Act in accordance with safeguarding legislation, Safer London practice guidelines and London protocols.
• Undertake other duties as required and in line with the post level.

• Relevant qualification in social care, health, youth/community work, criminal justice or equivalent experience.
• Experience managing complex safeguarding issues with children, young people, families and adults at risk.
• Experience engaging children and young people in trusting relationships.
• Extensive knowledge of the impact of context on vulnerable people and principles of contextual safeguarding.
• High‐quality case recording experience.
• Resilience and ability to manage own wellbeing.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• IT literate (Excel, Outlook, Word) and database experience.
• Knowledge of contextual safeguarding best practice.
• Knowledge of trauma‐informed practice and how trauma impacts practitioner work.
• Knowledge of safeguarding legislation and good‐quality care.
• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Ability to demonstrate alignment to Safer London's values.
• Ability to prioritise workload and work autonomously.
• Flexibility with work location.
• Honest strategies for wellbeing and resilience.

We require an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Successful candidates will travel throughout London and may occasionally work evenings or extended hours. Safer London offers flexible working arrangements, including home, office and community locations, with arrangements agreed with the line manager.