Children's Senior Social Worker

We are currently seeking outstanding Senior Social Workers to join our Assessment & Intervention service, who have the professional potential and personal attributes that our families need, can share our commitment to improving outcomes for all children and young people and tackling injustice, inequality and racism.

About Us
Our most recent Ofsted inspection was graded as 'good' in all areas. The children in our care said we are a
"special council and are like a family to them".
"Staff enjoy working in Southwark. Their morale is high, and they appreciate the high level of support, the career progression opportunities, the learning and development offer and the ambition that the organisation has for them." Ofsted, November 2022

At Southwark Children's Services, we pride ourselves on doing our vital job differently. Our systemic, holistic, family-centred approach sits at the core of our values. Our endlessly supportive, collective, colleague-centred culture underpins everything we do to protect vulnerable children across our borough.

Your Vital Role
We'll assign you a manageable number of cases that allow your natural skills and expertise to flourish. You will:

• Work directly with children and provide a clear and accurate assessment of the needs of the child and their family
• Conduct interviews, develop observations and gather information from children, families and other agencies as directed by the Team Manager
• Devise, implement and review plans, including the development and management of protection plans within a child protection framework, care and pathway plans.
• Ensure all statutory responsibilities are well managed, including visiting children, arranging reviews and reporting to the court.
• Carry out in-depth, ongoing evidence-based assessment of complex needs and risks to children

What You Bring
We're looking for impressive experience of direct social work with children and their families. You'll also bring:

• The ability to formulate and implement effective social work interventions
• Experience of preparing reports and presenting these in contested court proceedings
• The ability to provide professional guidance, support and development opportunities and contribute to organisational development
• A recognised social work qualification and current registration with Social Work England
• At least three years post qualifying experience in a social work role within a statutory setting, working with children and families, and attendance at appropriate training
• This is an excellent opportunity to shine in an ambitious, well-resourced, well-regarded and stable social care environment.

Contact Details
If you would like an informal conversation about this role, please contact Victor Dadzie via email at or Daniel Phipps via email at

Additional Information

• This is a full time, 36 hours per week position.
• Basic salary up to £55,710 per annum.
• If applicable: For roles in our Assessment & Intervention and Safeguarding & Family Support teams, we are offering for a time limited period a Welcome Payment of £2,500 for joining Southwark, followed by a retention payment of £3,000 per year for your first two years, and £4,000 after three years.
• 29 days Holiday – rising up to 37 days with continuous service.
• A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required at enhanced level.
• Eligibility to work in the UK is required.

Recruitment Timeline

• Advert close date: 11:59pm on Sunday 26th October 2025
• Interview date/s: To be confirmed

We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans.
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care.
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition.

Attachments

• Senior Social Worker - Job Description & Person Specification