At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families facing cancer with tailored social work services.
- Company: Join Young Lives vs Cancer, a compassionate charity making a real difference.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, wellbeing days, and an enhanced pension.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people during challenging times.
- Qualifications: Recognised Social Worker qualification and experience in social care settings.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to equity and belonging.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Location: Great Ormond Street Hospital, London
Closing date: 22nd February 2026
Interview date: Wednesday 4th March 2026 - Interviews to be held in Central London, in-person
When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer life is turned upside down – for them and their family. Fear, isolation, extreme money worries, not knowing where to turn – this is the reality for many. At Young Lives vs Cancer, we help children, young people and families find the strength to face whatever cancer throws at them. You could be a part of the team making it happen.
The Role
We are looking for an experienced Social Worker to join our London & South East 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 part home, part site-based. Your contractual base will be both Home and Great Ormond Street Hospital. This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.
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/ Scottish Social Services Council/Social Care Wales/Northern Ireland Social Care Council
- 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. We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. CVs can be uploaded, but we won't be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to fully complete the work history sections of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly and objectively.
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. If you have applied for this role within the last three months, your previous application has already been considered and you need not apply again.
To arrange an informal chat, please contact Barbara Inglin (Team Manager).
Social Worker employer: Young Lives vs Cancer
Contact Detail:
Young Lives vs Cancer Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who have experience with children and young people. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Young Lives vs Cancer thoroughly. Understand their mission and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to working with children and families in challenging situations. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and showcase your skills effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity can leave a lasting impression. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic: When you're filling out your application, let your true self shine through. We want to see your passion for social work and how you connect with the mission of supporting children and families facing cancer.
Tailor Your Responses: Make sure to customise your answers to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the role. Highlight your experience in multi-disciplinary settings and working with children and young people, as this is key for us.
Showcase Your Resilience: This role can be demanding, so don’t shy away from sharing examples of how you've overcome challenges in your previous roles. We love to see resourcefulness and a positive attitude!
Complete the Application Form Fully: Remember, we operate an anonymised shortlisting process, so it’s crucial to fill out all sections of the online application form thoroughly. This helps us assess your fit for the role fairly and objectively.
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 development and the impact of serious illness on young people and their families. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just qualified, but also genuinely passionate about the role.
✨Show Your Resilience
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've demonstrated resilience and resourcefulness in challenging situations. This is crucial in social work, especially when supporting families facing tough times.
✨Engage with Their Values
Familiarise yourself with Young Lives vs Cancer's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to these values and support the diverse needs of the children and families they serve.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask during the interview. This could be about their multi-disciplinary approach or how they support staff wellbeing. It shows you're engaged and interested in being part of their team.