At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families through tough times and help them find strength and solutions.
- Company: Join an outstanding team in a vibrant, supportive environment.
- Benefits: Enjoy 40 days annual leave, flexible working, and a generous pension plan.
- Other info: Collaborative team with excellent training and career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in voluntary and statutory settings.
The predicted salary is between 52767 - 52767 £ per year.
About Us
Up to £52,767 per annum (subject to experience) + additional benefits. Fixed Term (12 months). Full Time (36 hours) – Tooting, London. Ofsted Rating: Outstanding.
About The Role
In our newly formed Family Help Service, you will find more than just a job – you will find a place where your voice matters, your ideas are welcomed, and your impact is visible. This is your opportunity to walk alongside families through their most difficult moments and help them find strength, hope and solutions. You will work in a modern, collaborative environment with a stable, friendly team and strong, visible leadership. You will be part of a small, skilled team where supervision is regular, caseloads are manageable and your time with children and families is protected and purposeful. Our onboarding and induction are quick and efficient, ensuring you feel supported from day one.
Our Approach
We believe in the power of relationships. Our Family Help model is rooted in systemic practice and built on trust, consistency and co-production. You will work with families to create plans that reflect their voices and values – whether under Child in Need, Child Protection or care proceedings. You won’t be working alone. You will be part of a multi‑agency team that includes Children’s Practitioners, Adult Mental Health Practitioners, Substance Misuse and Domestic Abuse Specialists and in‑house Family Therapy and Social Care CAMHS teams. Together, we create a wrap‑around network of support that helps families stay together safely.
Essential Qualifications, Skills And Experience
- A qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England, with successful completion of the ASYE.
- 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.
Equal Opportunities
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/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Benefits
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.
Children's Social Worker - Family Help Service (Fixed Term, Tooting) employer: Richmondandwandsworth
At Richmond and Wandsworth Better Service Partnership, we pride ourselves on being an outstanding employer that values the contributions of our Children's Social Workers. Located in Tooting, London, we offer a supportive and collaborative work environment with manageable caseloads, excellent training opportunities, and a commitment to employee growth. With benefits like 40 days of annual leave and a generous pension plan, we ensure that our team feels valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact in the lives of families.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children's Social Worker - Family Help Service (Fixed Term, Tooting)
✨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 Richmondandwandsworth.
✨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 Richmondandwandsworth!
✨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 Richmondandwandsworth, 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 Richmondandwandsworth 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 Children's Social Worker - Family Help Service (Fixed Term, Tooting)
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 Richmondandwandsworth:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Richmondandwandsworth! 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 Richmondandwandsworth
✨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.
