At a Glance
- Tasks: Support women facing complex challenges to break the cycle of repeated pregnancies.
- Company: Join Southwark, London's largest social landlord, committed to social justice.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team dedicated to tackling social issues.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable women and their families.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work, mental health, or related fields is essential.
The predicted salary is between 51831 - 59394 £ per year.
We are the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues and social enterprises and we have a young, diverse and growing population. At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality, underpins all that we do.
Pause works with women who have experienced – or are at risk of – repeated pregnancies that result in children needing to be removed from their care. The programme gives women the chance to pause and take control over their lives, breaking a destructive cycle that causes both them and their children deep trauma, as well as reducing huge costs to society and the taxpayer. As a Pause Practitioner, you will be responsible for implementing a range of interventions and support measures as part of an integrated package of health, therapeutic and social support. Pause is specifically designed to address the complex needs of women, through intensive support, to enable change in their lives, and ultimately reduce the numbers of children being removed into care. You will work systemically in delivering a relationship-based programme where frequency, tenacity and creativity are central.
You’ll be a big part of a small team, where everyone takes a flexible and collaborative approach to work, and is committed to improving outcomes for vulnerable and marginalised groups. Like Pause, you will be passionate about changing entrenched social issues, and will respond by ‘doing things differently’. You will play an integral part of a team where everyone takes an energetic, flexible and collaborative approach to their work, and are committed to improving outcomes in society. Please note, this is a fixed-term contract for 12 months.
What We're Looking For
- Knowledge of adult safeguarding, childcare legislation, local Child Protection Procedures, and an understanding of child development, parenting capacity and risk and protective factors.
- Knowledge and understanding of a range of evidence-based approaches including systemic practice, social learning theory, attachment, grief and loss, relationship and strength-based interventions.
- Relevant professional qualification and/or experience e.g. nursing, social work, mental health, education, criminal justice, youth work, therapeutic practice, counselling, criminal justice or equivalent; and registration where appropriate.
Experience
- Experience of working with families/individuals who present with a range of complex needs (mental health challenges, drug and alcohol misuse, domestic violence) and demonstrate an ability to create rapport and build effective relationships.
- Experience of case management including assessments, care planning and reviews with clients with complex needs.
- Experience of challenging, negotiating, advocating and collaborating as part of the role of supporting women.
- Experience of working with trauma and having an understanding of how this will present and working creatively to support clients.
- Experience of using supervision to reflect on your own practice and identify and implement continuing opportunities for development.
- Being tenacious and work hard to offer assertive outreach to those who are considered the hardest to reach yet most in need.
- Be passionate about changing entrenched social issues, and will respond by ‘doing things differently’.
- Demonstrates an effective level of consultative, interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills including the ability to deal with complex issues in a sensitive and appropriate manner.
- Able to write clear and concise records and reports; having necessary computer literacy skills to produce good quality information in a variety of formats.
- Able to influence and inspire across professional disciplines using evidence and practice to improve outcomes for Pause women.
- Able to build reflective, supportive, and outcome-focused relationships with Pause women, whilst maintaining boundaries.
This vacancy is subject to the council’s redeployment arrangements. Eligible redeployees will be considered first, and the vacancy may be withdrawn if a suitable redeployee is appointed.
Our Values and Behaviours: At Southwark, our REACH values are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to being Resident-focused, Empowering, Accountable, Collaborative and Honest, in how we work with colleagues, residents, partners and communities. We welcome applications from people who share these values and are passionate about making a positive difference to our borough.
Advert close date: 11:59pm on 18 November 2026
Interview date/s: 24 November 2026
The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council. As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition
For more information, please contact Jody Torode, Practice Lead at jody.torode@southwark.gov.uk
Salary Range (Full time equivalent) £51,831 - £59,394
Pause Practitioner employer: Southwark
As the largest local authority social landlord in London, Southwark offers a dynamic and inclusive work environment where employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness. With a strong commitment to diversity and community engagement, our Housing First Officers benefit from ongoing professional development opportunities and the chance to collaborate with passionate colleagues dedicated to tackling inequalities. Join us in shaping a fairer future for Southwark's residents while enjoying a supportive workplace culture that values your contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pause Practitioner
✨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 Southwark.
✨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 Southwark!
✨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 Southwark, 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 Southwark 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 Pause Practitioner
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 Southwark:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Southwark! 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 Southwark
✨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.
