Social Worker

Young Lives vs Cancer; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Youth Lives vs Cancer is seeking a Social Worker to join our London & South East team, supporting children and young people diagnosed with cancer from Great Ormond Street Hospital and surrounding services.

You will split time between home and Great Ormond Street Hospital, working within an NHS multi-disciplinary team to deliver high-quality social work support to families, promoting best outcomes during a challenging illness.

Qualifications

• A recognised Social Worker qualification and current registration with Social Work England or equivalent.
• Demonstrable post-qualifying social work experience with children, young people and families.
• Experience in a multi-disciplinary NHS environment.
• Strong knowledge of child development in children and young people.
• Understanding the impact of serious illness on children and families.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide social work support to children and families affected by cancer.
• Collaborate with NHS multidisciplinary teams and community services.
• Work across home and hospital settings as part of a London team.

Skills

Post-qualifying experience

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Child development knowledge

Illness impact understanding

Interpersonal skills

Education

Social Work qualification & registration

Job description

Social Worker (Great Ormond Street Hospital, London)

Location: Great Ormond Street Hospital, London
Hours: 35 hours
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £41,655 (FTE)
Closing date: 6 th September 2026
Interview date: Wednesday 16 th & Thursday 17 th September 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 with Demonstrable post-qualifying Social Work experience 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 role is subject to a Criminal Record Check. In the event of a successful application, a Enhanced Criminal Record Check will be completed. 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/ Scottish Social Services Council/Social Care Wales/Northern Ireland Social Care Council
• Demonstrable post-qualifying Social Work 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 to step back from the day-to-day and focus on your own learning and development

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.

Once you are registered/ logged in you can begin completing the application form.

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