Children\'s Social Workers - Children Looked After

Overview

Children\’s Social Workers – Children Looked After
Up to £52,767 per annum (subject to experience) + Benefits*

Permanent

Full Time (36 Hours) – Wandsworth, London
Ofsted Rating: ‘Good’

• £5,000 welcome bonus* and £1,000 retention bonus (every 2 years of service – for permanent staff only)
• Payment of Social Work England registration fee
• Plus more – view our Children’s Services offer here.

Are you a passionate and experienced Social Worker ready to change lives and shape futures? Join a team where your creativity, compassion and confidence are not only valued – they are essential.

Every day in Wandsworth, Social Workers are helping families write new chapters in their lives. We empower children and their families to overcome challenges, build resilience and thrive. At the core of our work with Children Looked After, we recognise the importance of their relationships and therefore work closely with the children and young people, family members and/or other significant people in their lives.

We welcome motivated Social Workers who are ready to bring their heart, skill and vision to a place where their work truly matters. If you are driven by purpose and want to be part of a service that puts relationships at the heart of everything, we want to hear from you.

About the Role

As a (Senior) Social Worker, you will be joining one of the three Children Looked After Teams. Each team is made up of a Team Manager and five Social Workers. Your work will be supported by Systemic Practitioners and Specialist Practitioners.

In this role, you will be supporting children who are living with relatives, friends, foster families, prospective adopters, or in children\’s homes and semi-independent settings. Your primary responsibility will be to build sustainable relationships with these children and plan for their permanence, ensuring their safety and supporting them in taking the necessary steps towards independence.

You will be conducting regular visits, assessments and reviewing their Care Plans, which will allow you to nurture and develop meaningful relationships with children and young people. By understanding and interpreting their wishes, you will be able to champion and support them in reaching their full potential. Occasionally, you may be required to prepare reports and attend court hearings.

In this challenging but rewarding role, you will receive regular supervision and consultations with our Clinical Family Therapy service to ensure you have the necessary support. Additionally, you will work alongside other social workers, placement support officers, and partnership organisations such as Health Services, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, and Independent Reviewing Officers.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• A qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England, with your ASYE completed.
• Previous experience of working with Looked After Children.
• Confident in your knowledge and practice, with experience across voluntary and statutory settings.
• A natural collaborator and communicator who brings compassion, creativity and clarity to your work.
• A champion for children and families, with a belief in their potential and a commitment to their rights.

How We Support You

• You will be part of a small team of five Social Workers with manageable caseloads.
• Dedicated business support staff work alongside you to reduce admin and free up your time.
• You will have opportunities to lead, influence and innovate through working groups and service development.
• Our training offer is second to none: Systemic Psychotherapy (Levels 1, 2 and 3), Practice Educator training, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Informed Practice, Leadership Development and much more.
• We offer clear career progression through our panel for Senior Social Worker and Advanced Practitioner roles, plus ASYE, Step Up and Apprenticeship pathways.
• Excellent transport links and a vibrant, supportive working culture.

If you are ready to make a real difference in the lives of children and families and want to do it in a place that values your passion, your practice and your purpose – apply now. Wandsworth is where your next chapter begins.

Contact Details

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact:

Eric Mensah, Service Manager – Children Looked After and Fostering
eric.mensah@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk

Closing date: 28th September 2025
Please note, applications are reviewed on a daily basis and interviews are scheduled regularly.

We may close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Richmond and Wandsworth Better Service Partnership is committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know.

We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.

The welcome bonus is paid in two instalments: the first £2,500 after 6 months on successful completion of your probation period and the second £2,500 after 12 months of employment.