Senior Social Worker Children in Care

Newham; London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a vibrant and dynamic local authority in London, committed to making a difference in the lives of children in care. As a Senior Social Worker, you will play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality practice and supporting the development of less experienced colleagues. With a focus on systemic and restorative practices, you will have the opportunity to work closely with children and young people, ensuring their well-being and successful transitions. This role offers career progression opportunities and a supportive environment that prioritizes your professional growth and well-being, making it an exciting place to advance your career in social work.

Benefits

Flexible/hybrid working arrangements

Oyster card/parking permit

Wellbeing services

Leisure discounts

Travel season ticket loan

Cycle scheme

Pension

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years post-qualified experience in social work.
• Focus on supporting looked after children and court work.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality practice in children in care service.
• Support less experienced colleagues and supervise students.

Skills

Systemic Practice

Restorative Practice

Court Work

Supervision of Colleagues

Education

Qualified Social Worker

Job description

Join to apply for the Senior Social Worker Children in Care role at London Borough of Newham.

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Hybrid role – Newham Dockside E16 2QU

Closing date: 25/5/25 at 23:59 - please apply ASAP as we may interview shortlisted candidates before the closing date.

WE ARE NEWHAM

We’re a vibrant, dynamic, culturally rich London Borough with a young population and limitless potential. We’re a challenging yet rewarding place to practice social work, with networks in place to enable you to be the best social worker you can be and make a real difference to our children in care and their families.

We’ve been working tirelessly to establish a Centre of Excellence for Children’s Services through investment, co-production, and by continuously developing our 'Circles of Support' practice model; centering on systemic and restorative practice and a specialist support offer for our practitioners.

Ofsted described Newham as having a positive culture of learning and development. We promote talent in-house, with 30 internal promotions in 2023 alone, and over 47 practitioners completing further education since 2020. Your development and career progression are valued here.

We understand social work can be challenging yet rewarding, and we prioritize your wellbeing through remote working options, a modern office environment, flexible policies, and clinical support to help you excel.

About The Job

Social work in Newham is underpinned by a culture of systemic and restorative practice, with high-quality relationships at its core. Our children in care service works closely with children and young people in the care of the local authority, from care proceedings to placement and eventual transition to leaving care or family reunification.

Senior Social Workers play a vital role in delivering high-quality practice and supporting less experienced colleagues. The role may include supervising social work students, although this is not essential. Progression opportunities are available, with recent promotions to Assistant Team Manager and Team Manager roles.

We support our practitioners' learning, development, and wellbeing through bespoke clinical services, 'Duty Debrief' meetings, and systemic family psychotherapy, which has been highly valued by staff.

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About You

You have at least 3 years’ post-qualified experience, with a focus on supporting looked after children and experience in court work. You are a qualified social worker registered with Social Work England, interested in systemic and restorative practice, and committed to professional growth and supporting less experienced colleagues.

Why Work With Us?

• We’re a GOOD local authority with an OUTSTANDING senior leadership team.
• Flexible/hybrid working arrangements.
• Stable management team.
• Innovative practice model, Circles of Support.
• Opportunities for career progression.
• Social Care Academy for systemic higher education.
• Competitive salary up to £54,083 (including market supplement).
• Additional benefits: Oyster card/parking permit, wellbeing services, leisure discounts, travel season ticket loan, cycle scheme, pension.

To Apply

Submit your CV and a supporting statement (1-2 sides of A4) via our online recruitment portal. Shortlisting will be based on relevant experience and suitability as per the person specification.

Closing date: 25/5/25 at 23:59. Interviews will be scheduled ASAP.

For questions or to discuss the role, contact our Recruitment Team.

Additional Information

We are committed to an inclusive, anti-racist environment. Applications are considered on merit, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity, or sexual orientation. A DBS check may be required for roles involving vulnerable groups.

Please attach your supporting statement, explaining how you meet the criteria, and ensure all personal information is removed from documents to support anonymized recruitment.