At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families through complex assessments and safeguarding interventions.
- Company: Join the London Borough of Barnet's Children's Social Care team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for mentoring and leading in specialist practice areas.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advancing your social work career.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with experience in statutory children's social care.
The predicted salary is between 37800 - 46200 £ per year.
We Do Social Work is seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Social Worker – Assessment & Intervention to join the Children's Social Care service within the London Borough of Barnet. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced, qualified social work professional to undertake complex statutory social work responsibilities, provide high-quality interventions and support positive outcomes for children and families. The successful candidate will work within a resilience-based framework, delivering effective assessments, safeguarding interventions and permanence planning while supporting the development of less experienced social workers. You will be expected to demonstrate strong professional judgement, manage complex cases confidently and contribute to the continuous improvement of service delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Undertake comprehensive assessments of children and families, identifying needs, risks and appropriate interventions.
- Manage complex safeguarding cases and implement effective child protection measures.
- Develop, implement and review care and support plans to achieve positive outcomes for children.
- Undertake direct work with children and families, ensuring their voices and wishes are central to decision-making.
- Manage complex cases involving multiple agencies, family dynamics and significant safeguarding concerns.
- Ensure statutory visits, assessments, reviews and reports are completed within required timescales.
- Prepare high-quality court reports and present complex information to courts, families and partner agencies.
- Work collaboratively with police, health professionals, education providers and other multi-agency partners.
- Provide professional guidance, mentoring and support to newly qualified and less experienced social workers.
- Support students and contribute to workforce development, practice learning and professional development.
- Maintain accurate case records, chronologies, genograms and management information.
- Promote evidence-based practice and ensure interventions are informed by relevant legislation, research and professional standards.
- Deputise for the Team Manager when required and take a lead role in specialist areas of practice.
- Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and positive outcomes for children and families.
Essential Requirements
- A recognised Social Work qualification (DipSW, CQSW, BA/MA Social Work or equivalent).
- Current registration with Social Work England.
- Substantial post-qualifying experience within statutory Children's Social Care.
- Strong knowledge and practical application of the Children Act 1989, Children Act 2004 and Adoption and Children Act 2002.
- Experience undertaking complex assessments, safeguarding interventions and risk management.
- Strong understanding of child development, family dynamics and evidence-based social work interventions.
- Experience working with multi-agency professionals and managing complex family situations.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparing court reports and assessments.
- Ability to support, mentor and guide newly qualified and less experienced social workers.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
- Competence in Microsoft Office and social care recording systems.
- A commitment to ongoing professional development and maintaining professional registration.
Desirable Requirements
- Practice Educator qualification or willingness to achieve this within the first year of employment.
- Experience supporting ASYE social workers and social work students.
- Experience deputising for a Team Manager or undertaking senior practice responsibilities.
- Current driving licence and ability to travel as required.
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for a confident, reflective and experienced social worker who can demonstrate excellent professional judgement, resilience and a commitment to safeguarding children. You should be comfortable managing complex cases, working autonomously and supporting colleagues to maintain high standards of social work practice.
Safeguarding and Compliance
The successful applicant will be required to demonstrate an appropriate enhanced DBS outcome and maintain current professional registration with Social Work England.
Senior Social Worker in London employer: We Do Social Work
We Do Social Work is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff, offering a supportive work culture where collaboration and innovation thrive. As a Social Work Assistant in the Children & Families team, you will benefit from ongoing training and professional growth opportunities, all while making a meaningful impact in the community. Located in a vibrant area, our organisation values flexibility and encourages a healthy work-life balance, making it an ideal place for those passionate about social work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Worker in London
✨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 We Do Social Work.
✨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 We Do Social Work!
✨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 We Do Social Work, 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 We Do Social Work 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 Senior Social Worker in London
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 We Do Social Work:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to We Do Social Work! 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 We Do Social Work
✨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.
