Social Work Coordinator

We require a part-time social work coordinator for a 1 year fixed term contract, to meet the needs of the service. We do however take flexible working into consideration, in line with service demands, however this is an office-based role.
Specially designed core training package, professional development opportunities, good pension scheme and generous holidays, an experienced management team, and a great working location with good transport links.
An exciting opportunity has opened within Independent Futures where we have created a specialist Leaving Care Service for children and young people aged 16-25 years old. Islington is looking to recruit a part-time social work coordinator (SWC) who is motivated and passionate. A Social Work Coordinator (SWC) is a para-professional whose primary function is to provide enhanced administrative support in meeting the demands of frontline practice. This is a very active role and the practical support is critical in ensuring the child and family social workers’ and other practitioners’ time is used to best effect in helping families to keep children safe. This requires a high level of understanding of a child and family social worker’s job in helping families to safeguard children.
Our vision for the service is that children and young people are safe, can overcome difficulties and can form secure relationships through their childhood and into their adulthood.
As an experienced administrator, you would be expected to anticipate the planning and preparation necessary ahead of the range of meetings that take place with families and professionals and be instrumental in ensuring these meetings are coordinated. You would also be expected to help and support practitioners to stay organised in managing their workload.
Child and family work is dynamic and responsive to both the local and national landscape, and SWCs must be flexible and adapt to changes within the organisation and to the presenting needs of the individual team. The SWC role, as with all other roles in the Service, should engage in continuous quality improvement by always looking for ways to improve the way we work to identify gaps in systems and make improvements that will increase added value to frontline practice.
You will have excellent communication skills with children, young people and families as well as with carers and professionals taking into consideration equality and diversity. You will also have excellent skills when it comes to writing and minute-taking.
Creating and updating excel spreadsheet trackers
Answering the duty phone to young people, families, and other professionals
Updating the data base
In December 2024, we underwent a full OFSTED inspect. In October 2023, Independent Futures received a focused visit from OFSTED looking at the Local Authority’s arrangements for care experienced children and young people (care leavers). Young people are effusive about Independent Futures, Islington’s leaving care service.
Care experienced children and young people in Islington benefit from teams of highly committed, ambitious and determined professionals who work extremely well together, helping the children and young people to remain safe and to achieve in life.
Exceptional and aspirational corporate and operational leaders work together to listen to care experienced young people, to understand their world and to act on their views.
The genuine warmth of staff and their affection and pride in children’s progress and achievements are evident in their direct work and frequent contact and visits.
Good opportunities for development, training and promotion are increasing the number of staff transferring from agency to permanent contracts.
A localised approach to commissioning housing support means that young people can maintain local links and have access to important local services, such as colleges, employment and training opportunities that will support them to achieve independence.
You will be joining a multi-professional team made up of experienced managers, Senior Social Workers, Social Workers, Young Person Advisors, Mental Health Social Worker, CAMHS professionals, a UASC specialist and Social Work Coordinators. Our children, young people and their families are at the heart of everything we do and the development of our practice model allows us to them towards their version of meaningful and sustained changed. Islington’s Motivational Practice Model provides an integrated care, safeguarding and change model, which includes Motivational Interviewing skills helping to build meaningful relationships and promote safety, collaboration and purposeful change.
There are core elements that underpin the practice framework that provide a set of skills around how to communicate in a helpful way with workers that you supervise, the professional network as a whole and families we work with, supporting a process of change.
Our practice model is further complemented by Trauma-informed practice (including Dyadic Development Practice), as we believe that by better understanding the lived experiences of those we are here to serve, we are better positioned to engage, support and assist children and young people to reach their full potential. Relationships are also central to achieving the very best outcome for our children, young people, their families, and their carers. We work closely with our fostering team and placements service to support our carers in offering a trauma informed approach to care, and to offer stable placements where our children and young people can achieve their potential.
Islington is a place rich with diversity and culture. To do this, everyone who works at Islington Council lives by a set of values which guide us in everything that we do: collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering. They spell out ‘CARE’, which is what we think public service is all about.
Up to 31 days leave per year, increasing to 36 days after five years of local government service
A range of flexible working arrangements to maintain a healthy work-life balance, as well as a 35-hour working week
Learning and development opportunities to maximise your potential
Competitive pay and a commitment to paying all staff the London Living Wage at minimum
Excellent local government pension scheme
Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym memberships
Local discounts from restaurants, shops, health and beauty therapists, and more
Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Islington Council. Workforce Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
Our workforce strategy places equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of everything we do, reaffirming our commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion. We maintain a zero-tolerance approach to any unlawful discrimination, harassment, or victimisation on the grounds of any protected characteristics under the 2010 Equality Act, including but not limited to race, disability, sexual orientation, sex, religion and belief, age, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, and maternity. Any incidents of discrimination will be promptly investigated and addressed in line with our HR policies to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all colleagues.
We use data to identify and address disparities, ensuring that our policies and practices are transparent and impactful in promoting a diverse representation of backgrounds and perspectives at all levels of the organisation. We know that advancing diversity and inclusion is a continuous journey, and we must listen to our colleagues and learn where we can further improve. We work closely with our Colleague Forums and Trade Unions, supported by active allies from our Corporate Management Team, to monitor and evaluate our practices, identify barriers, and empower colleagues to promote equality and inclusion in the workplace.
By living out our CARE (collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering) values every day and embedding the principles of equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our work, we can all actively contribute to empowering people and creating a more equal Islington.
Overseas criminal record check (if applicable)
DBS check at the appropriate level (if applicable)
Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff, and volunteers to share this commitment. The post is subject to a enhanced DBS check with children barred list, qualifications check and 3/5 years referencing.
Disability Confident Scheme
Islington Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria and we are committed to providing support to applicants who request reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process and throughout their career with us.