Lewisham
Social Worker, Children Looked After, Corporate Parenting
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Senior Social Worker – Children and Young People’s Directorate
Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities. We welcome people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, championing refugees and migrants.
About the Role
As part of Lewisham’s Children and Young People’s Directorate, the Senior Social Worker aims to deliver a high-quality, accountable statutory social work service to children who:
- Are looked after
- Are subject to care proceedings
- Are progressing towards adoption
You will be responsible for robust assessment, purposeful intervention, and meaningful case planning and review, adhering to legislation, Council policy, and Lewisham’s Senior Social Worker role profile. You will collaborate with foster carers, birth families, adopters, Special Guardians, education and health colleagues, and partners to ensure trauma-informed support, reflecting Lewisham’s mission of diversity, inclusion, relational practice, and Promoting the rights of children and families.
What’s the Role?
In this senior capacity, you will:
- Manage a caseload of complex looked-after children, ensuring their needs, wellbeing, identity, and safety are the focus.
- Produce written evidence for court, contributing to permanence planning and preparing reports for:
- CLA reviews
- Legal meetings
- Panels
- Multidisciplinary professionals
- Guide and support junior social workers and alternatively qualified staff to reflect on practice and uphold strong recording, compliance, and safeguarding standards.
- Support development and embed best-practice approaches in children’s social care, encompassing Lewisham’s values, legal responsibilities, and a commitment to high-quality support.
- Foster stability, timely permanency outcomes, and nurturing futures for children.
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This role is central to promoting stability and safe, supportive futures, with ongoing emphasis on service development that reflects societal values and Children's Social Care Principles.
What’s in It for You?
Join us in an organisation that champions professional growth! Key benefits include:
- Generous holiday allowance
- LGC pension scheme for better long-term security
- Flexible working and family-friendly policies
- Season ticket loan
- Local subsidies (e.g. gym membership discounts and other benefits)
- Supportive staff networks (e.g. Lewisham Council Employee Network)
What We’re Looking For
Lewisham values diverse professional attendees. We seek candidates who:
- Value open communication and positive feedback.
- Inspire teams and lead effectively, motivating those they work with.
- Have a commitment to personal and professional skill development.
- Think critically and calmly, balanced and structured in their approach.
- Work inclusively, collaboratively, and collaborate easily with all stakeholders.
- Are solution-focused with clarity on accountability and responsibility.
- Reflect and act learning, supporting improvements of practice.
Specific essential skills include:
- Exceptional report-writing abilities, including trauma-informed assessments.
- Ability to gather comprehensive evidence efficiently to meet courty deadlines.
- Compliance with court, panel, and multi-agency review strategic timelines.
Location
The position is primarily based at Laurence House, Catford, London (SE6 4RU), with a hybrid working model. This includes the flexibility to work from home regularly.
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Special Conditions & Eligibility
To apply:
✔ Degree in Social Work or a recognised equivalent qualification.
✔ Relevant experience conducting kinship assessments.
✔ Must be registered with Social Work England.
✔ Enhanced DBS check requirement—standard process complete.
Recruitment Process:
The application is anonymous; CVs not accepted. For guidance, review this applicant handbook.
Full person specification and job profiles available
Financement
Salary: £45,852 – £47,925 per annum (SW/SCP 31-33)
Note: Starting pay for new candidates is at the minimum. Where evidential proof exists, current staff may receive salary matching up to the maximum scale.
Diversity & Inclusion
Lewisham Council is proud to be a Disability Confident employer. We actively promote equality. Reasonable adjustments for a fair hiring process can be discussed by emailing the lead contact.
Discover Lewisham’s vision here if you’d like to know more about our philosophy.
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For further discussions on the position, please contact: FHCRecruitment@lewisham.gov.uk
Salary Notice: Appointments start at £45,852 (minimum of the scale). Interviews subject to open selection deadlines.
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