Lewisham Council
Social Worker, Children Looked After, Corporate Parenting
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Social Worker, Children Looked After, Corporate Parenting
Senior Social Worker – Children and Young People’s Directorate
Discover yourself in Lewisham, where your work makes a tangible difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities. Proud of our history as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, we champion the rights of refugees and migrants while supporting all families within our borough.
About the Role
As part of Lewisham’s Children and Young People’s Directorate, the Senior Social Worker plays a vital role in delivering a high-quality, statutorily accountable social work service. This includes supporting children who are:
- Looked after
- Subject to care proceedings
- Progressing toward adoption
Key responsibilities include:
- Delivering robust assessments, trauma-informed interventions, and meaningful case planning
- Ensuring compliance with legislation, Council policy, and Lewisham’s social work role standards
- Working collaboratively with:
- Foster carers
- Birth families
- Adopters
- Special Guardians
- Colleagues in education and health
- Multi-agency partners
The role emphasises relational practice, ensuring children receive coordinated and trauma-informed support that reflects Lewisham’s commitment to inclusivity, cultural sensitivity, and safeguarding.
Responsibilities
Core Duties
- Case Management:
- Lead a caseload of complex looked-after children
- Prioritise needs, wellbeing, identity, and safety in all planning
- Provide high-quality written evidence for court proceedings
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Permanence Planning:
- Contribute to kinship, adoption, and fostering arrangements
- Support timely permanency outcomes
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Reporting and Compliance:
- Prepare reports for:
- Children Looked After (CLA) reviews
- Legal meetings and panels
- Multi-agency partners
- Prepare reports for:
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Professional Oversight:
- Supervise social workers and alternative qualified staff
- Guide reflective practice and assist in team development
- Maintain record-keeping standards and safeguarding compliance
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Service Leadership:
- Collaborate in service development
- Embed best-practice child welfare approaches aligned with Lewisham’s values, legal obligations, and quality standards
Benefits
Lewisham offers a supportive environment with excellent benefits:
- Generous holiday allowance
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Remote/flexible working options and strong family-friendly policies
- Access to:
- Season ticket loans
- Bicycle loans
- Local discounted gym memberships
- Supportive staff networks
- Ongoing training and professional development
Requirements
We seek individuals who:
✅ Value clear communication and seek constructive feedback ✅ Inspire and lead teams with empathy and motivation ✅ Demonstrate commitment to lifelong learning ✅ Reflect critically in a balanced, trauma-informed manner ✅ Work collaboratively and inclusively while capitalising on diverse strengths
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Essential Qualifications & Experience:
- Degree in Social Work or equivalent professional qualification
- Registered with Social Work England
- Relevant experience in kinship assessments
- Excellent report-writing skills and trauma-informed interviewing ability
- Demonstrated capacity to meet court deadlines while managing complex demands
Full details of the Person Specification are available here.
Additional Notes
- Location: Primarily based at Laurence House, Catford, London (SE6 4RU) with a hybrid working model (office/remote).
- DBS Check: Enhanced clearance required.
- Application Process: Anonymous—no CVs accepted.
- Deadlines: Applications may close early due to high response volumes.
Why Join Us?
Lewisham is a Disability Confident employer, actively encouraging applications from all abilities. If reasonable adjustments are needed at any stage, please contact us at FHCRecruitment@lewisham.gov.uk for support.
Find us online for more on our work and culture: 🔗 LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter/X | Instagram
Salary: £45,852 - £47,925 (annual), starting at the minimum spinal column point unless evidence of prior salary is provided.
paid at the minimum gratuity level unless there is a specific reason for employment at a higher point on the salary scale.
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