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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 Social Worker statutory social work service to children, young people and their families/carers, to include assessment, intervention, case planning and review, appropriate to the work of our Children Looked After (16+), Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children and those Leaving Care.

Working collaboratively with foster carers, birth families, adopters, Special Guardians, education and health colleagues, and other partners, 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?

As a social worker, you will be a key member of our team and contribute to the development of the service. You will take a curious and wholistic approach to supporting children and young people, to keep safe and well.

You will undertake direct work and other activities with children, their Carers and young people. The service is made up of specialist social workers, and personal advisors, working in collaboration with a dedicated CLA and a Leaving Care Nurse, Career Coaches and a Mentoring service; all co-located at our CLA/Leaving Care Hub.

As a social worker in the CLA (16+), UASC and Leaving Care Service, your expertise will play an important part in delivering statutory social work and our leaving care responsibilities, where you will undertake appropriate interventions and work that enables us to deliver against our Corporate Parenting and other relevant strategies.

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

We are looking for someone to join our service, who has knowledge and experience of working with Children Looked After, Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children, and Care Leavers/Care Experienced young people. You will be confident in delivering effective practice and have in-depth knowledge of all aspects which relates to these groups and be curious about the complex issues faced by Lewisham’s children and young people.

You will understand the benefits of regular supervision, practice that is evidenced, partnership working, and clear decision making in Lewisham, and embed these as a core part of your work within the service.

You will have:

A strong background in safeguarding and statutory social work, including knowledge of current childcare legislation and practice
Expertise in understanding work to support unaccompanied minors and asylum seekers
Proven leadership skills
Confidence in taking a curious and trauma informed approach to work with children and young people
A commitment to promoting best outcomes for children and young people

Location

The job is based at 43-45 Bromley Road, Catford SE6 2UA. There are 2 local train stations 7-10 minutes’ walk from the office, and the train journey from London Bridge is approximately 15 minutes. There are also numerous bus routes that stop right by the office.

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.
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 Sharon Chambers, Sharon.Chambers@lewisham.gov.uk

Please click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification

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