At a Glance
- Tasks: Support residents in transitioning back home and living independently.
- Company: Join the vibrant London Borough of Waltham Forest, a diverse and inclusive workplace.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, £2,000 retention bonus, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while building strong community connections.
- Qualifications: Must have Social Work England registration and experience in adult social care.
The predicted salary is between 41133 - 52194 £ per year.
Organisation: London Borough of Waltham Forest
Salary: PO1 - PO4 £41,133 - £52,194
Retention Bonus: £2,000 retention bonus paid in £1,000, twice a year.
Contract Type: Full Time/Permanent
Working hours per week: 36 hours per week and occasional weekend and Bank Holiday working
Application Deadline: 30/09/2026
About Us: Bursting with culture, energy, and opportunity, the London Borough of Waltham Forest is a fantastic and exciting place to work. We are a highly ambitious borough. Driven by culture and the innate creativity of our residents, we have developed new and innovative ways to build our communities. Our Council is relentlessly resident-focused, insight-led, digitally driven and commercially minded; a Council focused on meeting the needs of our existing and future residents. London Borough of Waltham Forest is one of the Mayor of London's Good Work Standard employers. This accreditation is proof of our commitment to creating a healthy, fair and inclusive workplace.
About the role: The team plays a vital role in enabling safe, timely discharges from hospital settings by working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary framework. Empowering residents with the tools, confidence, and support needed to transition back into their home environment. At the heart of the team's work is a commitment to maximising each resident's opportunity to return home and live as independently as possible. By building on existing support networks and strengthening connections within local communities, the team helps residents develop the skills and resilience to be self-sufficient, while also ensuring appropriate safeguarding measures are in place. Through this coordinated and person-centred approach, the team strives to support residents in living fulfilling, independent lives and achieving the best possible outcomes for their future.
We are seeking high calibre and creative applicants who are committed to building on residents' strengths and their natural support networks, rather than simply assessing people to determine their eligibility for a service. We are looking for social workers who firmly believe that it is essential to give the residents who we serve as much choice and control as possible over their day-to-day lives, especially at a time when they have been unwell and still need time to recover and build up their resilience and strength. As a social worker, you will also hold a varied caseload working with residents across the discharge pathways. You will be completing MCA's, human rights assessments, NRTPF and residents who are homeless, managing complex and challenging family dynamics and those residents who require Safeguarding.
Key Responsibilities:
- Engage with individuals, carers, families, groups and communities to assess and intervene preventatively using professional judgment, and develop person-led Support Plans to meet the needs of individuals that promote choice, control and independence.
- Use a strength-based approach to assessment to support individuals to identify and develop their support networks and consider positive risk taking to enhance their wellbeing.
- Identify safeguarding concerns if vulnerable residents have experienced harm and carry out section 42 enquiries where needed.
- Deliver high-quality and legally compliant social support in a timely way to agreed standards.
- Complete court fit mental capacity assessments and engage the resident and their families in any best interest decision where appropriate.
Qualifications and Requirements: To be considered for this position, you will need previous experience in working in adult social care, or be able to demonstrate transferable skills to meet the needs of this post. You will also need to hold a current registration with Social Work England and be able to provide your registration number.
Terms and conditions: Satisfactory employment references and CIFAS identity checks; Satisfactory declaration of interest; This role is subject to safer recruitment practices as it involves work with children and/or vulnerable adults; Satisfactory DBS check; Continued professional body registration; As a public authority, we must ensure that members of staff in public-facing roles are able to speak fluent English.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Waltham Forest is a diverse borough where diversity is valued and is integral to both service delivery and employment of its staff. The Council is proud of its rich mix of communities and as the largest employer in the area, it works hard to respond to the changing needs of its population.
We are keen to support employees to balance their working life with other commitments. Therefore, wherever possible, we will consider working arrangements that suit an individual's personal circumstances whilst still meeting the needs of the Council.
If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, please contact Sharon Samain, Team Manager HART.
Social Worker employer: Waltham Forest Council
The London Borough of Waltham Forest is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work environment that champions diversity and inclusion. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, professional development, and flexible working arrangements, the Council fosters a culture where innovation thrives and every voice is valued. As a proud holder of the Mayor of London's Good Work Standard, Waltham Forest provides its employees with meaningful opportunities to contribute to the community while advancing their careers in a supportive setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker
✨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 Waltham Forest Council.
✨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 Waltham Forest Council!
✨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 Waltham Forest Council, 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 Waltham Forest Council 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 Social Worker
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 Waltham Forest Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Waltham Forest Council! 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 Waltham Forest Council
✨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.
