At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families affected by cancer, navigating emotional and practical challenges.
- Company: Join Young Lives vs Cancer, a charity dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, generous leave, wellbeing days, and enhanced pension.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to personal growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the lives of young people during their toughest times.
- Qualifications: Social Worker qualification, experience with children, and strong interpersonal skills.
The predicted salary is between 29970 - 36483 € per year.
Location: Leeds General Infirmary & St James’ Hospital
Closing date: 24th May 2026, 11:59 PM
Interview date: 4th June 2026
Change lives in a life-changing career. When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, their whole world can feel like it’s falling apart. Independence is taken and confidence is stolen. Stability no longer exists. The future suddenly feels uncertain. The impact of cancer on young lives is more than medical. And that impact can be felt by entire families. That’s why we exist. Our specialist social workers help children and young people with cancer and their families navigate the emotional and practical impact of cancer. We remove barriers, solve problems and prioritise wellbeing. And we stop at nothing to make their voices heard and their unique needs understood, so they can get the right care and support at the right time.
About the role: We are looking for an experienced Social Worker to join our Leeds Team supporting children and young people diagnosed with cancer. We pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality support tailored to the needs of the children and young people and their families. The work we do is rewarding but also complex and demanding. You will be part of a close-knit Young Lives vs Cancer social work team, working with an established NHS multi-disciplinary team and services in the community. This role is predominantly site-based with an element of occasional working from home as agreed with the line manager. Your contractual base will be both Home and Hospital. This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. A previous conviction is not necessarily a barrier to employment. We encourage qualified applicants to apply, and we will consider each case individually.
About you: You will be committed to delivering high quality social work support to promote the best outcomes for the children, young people and families we work with. You will need to be resourceful and resilient. You will have a positive attitude and be willing to embrace difference. As part of the wider Young Lives vs Cancer team you will actively engage with the work of the charity and welcome opportunities to get involved. You will have:
- A recognised Social Worker qualification and current registration with Social Work England
- Experience working with children, young people and their families/carers in a social care setting.
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary environment, ideally in an NHS setting.
- Sound knowledge of child and young people development.
- An understanding of the impact of serious illness for children, young people and their families.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
What will I gain? For people to reach their full potential, they need the right environment. As a member of Team Young Lives, you’ll be made to feel supported, valued and appreciated. Here’s how we do it:
- Flexible working: we’re open to working hours outside of 9 - 5 and we can talk through your flexibility requirements at interview stage
- Wellbeing, Thinking & Growth Days: four days a year to step back from the day-to-day and focus on your own learning and development
- Generous annual leave allowance
- Great family/caring leave entitlements
- Enhanced pension
- Access to our employee savings scheme
To find out more about our benefits package, have a look on our website.
Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging: At Young Lives vs Cancer, we recognise that opportunities for too many people remain a condition of their sex, ethnicity, class, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation – or a combination. This has never been acceptable to us as an organisation. We don’t just accept difference, we value it, celebrate it, nurture it and we thrive because of it. We’re on a journey to be reflective of the diverse children, young people and families we support. We know we aren’t there yet, and we’re passionately committed to taking actions and making changes to be a truly diverse, inclusive and equitable organisation. This includes taking anti-oppressive action and removing barriers in our recruitment practices. We particularly welcome applications from members of minoritised communities.
Our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging strategy will tell you more. To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed. We recognise the benefits of AI, but if you're considering using it to submit your application, we encourage you to reflect on the value AI adds. AI tools often lack the personal touch and authenticity that set candidates apart. We want to hear your unique perspective, experiences, and skills, so we encourage you to tell us about your skills and experiences in your own voice.
Accessibility: We’re committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always aim to be as accommodating as possible. Please let us know in your application form of any adjustments or access requirements we could make to help you with the application process and interview. To arrange an informal chat, please contact Bev Barker.
Social Worker - Leeds in England employer: Young Lives vs Cancer
At Young Lives vs Cancer, we are dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment for our Social Workers in Leeds. Our commitment to employee wellbeing is reflected in our flexible working arrangements, generous leave policies, and opportunities for personal growth through Wellbeing, Thinking & Growth Days. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people affected by cancer, while being part of a diverse team that values every individual's unique contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker - Leeds in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who might have insights into the Leeds area. Attend local events or online webinars related to child welfare and cancer support – you never know who might be hiring!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for that interview! Research the organisation thoroughly, understand their mission, and think about how your experience aligns with their values. Practise common interview questions and be ready to share specific examples of your work with children and families.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! When you get the chance to speak with the team, let your enthusiasm for supporting young people with cancer shine through. Share stories that highlight your commitment and resilience in challenging situations.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Young Lives vs Cancer team and making a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker - Leeds in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic:When you're writing your application, let your true self shine through! We want to hear your unique experiences and perspectives, so don’t hold back. Share your story in a way that reflects who you are and why you’re passionate about supporting children and young people with cancer.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application for the Social Worker role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with what we’re looking for. Show us how your background makes you a perfect fit for our Leeds team and the work we do!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to emphasise your interpersonal skills and your ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment. We value resourcefulness and resilience, so give us examples of how you've demonstrated these qualities in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, you can find more info about the role and our amazing benefits package while you’re there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Young Lives vs Cancer
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of child and young person development, as well as the emotional and practical impacts of serious illness. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just qualified, but genuinely passionate about the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work where you've successfully supported children and families in challenging situations. Highlight your experience in multi-disciplinary environments, especially within the NHS, to demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively.
✨Embrace Diversity
Familiarise yourself with the organisation's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to creating an inclusive environment for the children and families you’ll be working with, as well as how your own experiences shape your approach.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could include inquiries about the team dynamics, support for professional development, or how the organisation measures success in their social work initiatives. It shows you're engaged and thinking critically about the role.
