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We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.

Introduction

As part of Lewisham’s Children and Young People’s Directorate, the Senior Social Worker provides a high‑quality, accountable statutory social work service to children who are looked after, subject to care proceedings, or progressing toward adoption. This includes delivering robust assessment, purposeful intervention, and meaningful case planning and review in line with legislation, Council policy, and the standards outlined in Lewisham’s Senior Social Worker role profile.

Working collaboratively with foster carers, birth families, adopters, Special Guardians, education and health colleagues, and other partners, Senior Social Workers ensure that children benefit from coordinated and trauma‑informed support. This reflects Lewisham’s identity as a diverse, inclusive borough and its commitment to relational practice and championing the rights of children, families, and communities.

What’s the role?

The postholder will manage a caseload of complex looked after children, ensuring that their needs, wellbeing, identity, and safety are central to all planning. They will produce high‑quality written evidence for court, contribute to permanence planning, and prepare reports for CLA reviews, legal meetings, panels, and multi‑agency partners.

In their senior capacity, the Senior Social Worker will provide guidance, professional, informal support to social workers and alternatively qualified staff members. They will contribute to reflective practice and team development whilst upholding strong recording, compliance, and safeguarding standards.

This role is central to promoting stability, timely permanency outcomes, and safe, nurturing futures for children. The successful candidate will contribute to service development and help embed best‑practice approaches that reflect Lewisham’s values, legal responsibilities, and commitment to high‑quality children’s social care.

What’s in it for you?

Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:

Generous holiday allowance
Local Government Pension scheme
Flexible working and family friendly policies
Season ticket and bicycle loans
A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
Supportive staff networks

What we’re looking for

Lewisham has a rich cultural value and if you want to work in a thriving borough and our social work vision connects with your professional values, then we are interested in hearing from you. We are looking for people to join our team who:

value the importance of communication and seeking feedback
can inspire and motivate those they work with, manage and lead
are committed to developing their skills and expertise to deliver an excellent service
are professionally curious and value thinking slowly and calmly in a balanced way
work inclusively, collaboratively with others recognising their strengths
take responsibility and make a positive contribution by focusing on solutions
are transparent, are appreciative in enquiry, reflect and learn.
Strong report writing skills, the ability to gather comprehensive information and trauma informed assessments, and the capacity and ability to work efficiently to meet court deadlines and meet competing demands.

Location

The job is primarily based in Laurence House, Catford, London, SE6 4RU, but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis.

Special conditions

To apply for this post, you must have a degree in social work or equivalent qualification.
Have relevant professional experience in conducting kinship assessments.
Be registered with Social Work England.
The post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

The recruitment process is anonymous and we don’t accept CVs.

Applicant handbook- please read the guidance in this handbook when applying. It is essential that you complete the application fully and that your supporting statement covers how you meet each of the person specification criteria listed.

For an informal discussion about this job, please contact FHCRecruitment@lewisham.gov.uk

Please click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification

Please click here to view the Our Vision and Values

Salary

£45,852 - £47,925 per annum (SW / SCP 31-33)

N.B: All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.

Diversity

Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply

The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.

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Salary range

£45,852 - £47,925 per year