Senior Social Worker - CLA 16+ UASC And Leaving Care
Posted 12 hours 45 minutes ago by Lewisham Council
Permanent
Full Time
Social Care Jobs
London, United Kingdom
Job Description
Senior Social Worker - CLA 16+ UASC And Leaving Care London, United Kingdom
Be the First to Apply
Job Info
It's an exciting time to join us - Lewisham is a wave 2 Pathfinder authority and is leading the way on national reforms to social work practice through the Families First for Children programme.
INTRODUCTION
Lewisham are seeking dynamic and dedicatedSenior Social Workersto provide an accountable statutory social work service to children, young people and their families/carers, to include assessment, intervention, case planning and review, appropriate to the work ofourChildren Looked After (16+), Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children and those Leaving Care.
This post offers the opportunity toprovide supervision, as appropriate, to social workers, students and/or personal advisors. To undertake such project work as appropriate to the post holder's service, undertake cases with complex risk levels, and take responsibility for decision making on duty on a day-to-day basis as appropriate.
The role is based within the Corporate Parenting Service and works closely with other CLA Teams, Independent Reviewing Officers, specialist services and external agencies to providean accountable statutory social work service to children, young people and their families/carers, and a statutory leaving care Service to our Care Experienced young adults, to include assessment, intervention, case/pathway planning and review, appropriate to the work of the overall service.
You will be responsible for undertaking all social work on allocated cases, to maintain accurate records on behalf of the Directorate, and to ensure that service users are aware of their right to see such records, and of their right to complain about the service they receive.
What's the role?
As a senior 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 senior 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.
About You
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:
Our Vision - What Good Children's Social Work Looks Like in Lewisham
In Lewisham Children's Social Care, we know what good social work looks like, and we are passionate about creating the right conditions and culture for good practice to thrive.
"Lewisham has so much to offer any social worker. I feel supported, respected and valued every step of the way" (Social Worker).
Our social workers benefit from working in small, supportive teams with caseloads on average between 15-20 children. Our Signs of Safety family led practice framework means we are committed to working in a relationship based way with children and families, focussing on strengths in the family network to effect change. A positive learning culture which promotes opportunities for reflection and relationship-based practice is important to us. We are committed to developing our practice using reflective practice spaces such as case mapping, thinking spaces and group supervision.
Our permanent and stable senior management team are visible and approachable. Our dedicated workforce team supports professional development across the service so that you will:
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:
The job is based at 43 - 45 Bromley Road, Catford SE6 . click apply for full job details
Be the First to Apply
Job Info
- Job Identification 1909
- Job Category Social Care
- Posting Date 03/12/2026, 02:01 PM
- Locations London, United Kingdom
- Apply Before 04/09/2026, 10:59 PM
- Job Schedule Full time
It's an exciting time to join us - Lewisham is a wave 2 Pathfinder authority and is leading the way on national reforms to social work practice through the Families First for Children programme.
INTRODUCTION
Lewisham are seeking dynamic and dedicatedSenior Social Workersto provide an accountable statutory social work service to children, young people and their families/carers, to include assessment, intervention, case planning and review, appropriate to the work ofourChildren Looked After (16+), Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children and those Leaving Care.
This post offers the opportunity toprovide supervision, as appropriate, to social workers, students and/or personal advisors. To undertake such project work as appropriate to the post holder's service, undertake cases with complex risk levels, and take responsibility for decision making on duty on a day-to-day basis as appropriate.
The role is based within the Corporate Parenting Service and works closely with other CLA Teams, Independent Reviewing Officers, specialist services and external agencies to providean accountable statutory social work service to children, young people and their families/carers, and a statutory leaving care Service to our Care Experienced young adults, to include assessment, intervention, case/pathway planning and review, appropriate to the work of the overall service.
You will be responsible for undertaking all social work on allocated cases, to maintain accurate records on behalf of the Directorate, and to ensure that service users are aware of their right to see such records, and of their right to complain about the service they receive.
What's the role?
As a senior 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 senior 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.
About You
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 and experience in supervising students/newly qualified social workers
- 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
Our Vision - What Good Children's Social Work Looks Like in Lewisham
In Lewisham Children's Social Care, we know what good social work looks like, and we are passionate about creating the right conditions and culture for good practice to thrive.
- Families are respected and supported to stay together, whenever there is safety.
- Families will tell us they understand why we are involved.
- Children will tell us their social worker has made a difference to their lives.
- Children who are in our care know we care, and we won't give up on them.
- Young people who have been in our care feel confident about their future.
- Staff talk positively about their manageable caseloads, regular supervision, team meetings and access to a range of training, including the social work model of practice.
- Senior leaders demonstrate a clear focus on hearing the voices of children to develop and improve services.
- Leaders know the service well. They have a clear understanding of areas for development that are being appropriately addressed.
- The Executive Director for Children and Young People and his team are credited for driving these improvements, with particular focus on enhancing workforce stability, early help services, and partnerships with stakeholders.
- Noteworthy practices include creative life-story work and culturally sensitive social work approaches, crucial in a diverse borough like Lewisham.
- The Council's anti-racist practice network and safe space platform also garnered praise for supporting staff from black and global majority backgrounds.
- Overall, the report highlights a commendable commitment to improving outcomes for vulnerable children and young people in Lewisham.
"Lewisham has so much to offer any social worker. I feel supported, respected and valued every step of the way" (Social Worker).
Our social workers benefit from working in small, supportive teams with caseloads on average between 15-20 children. Our Signs of Safety family led practice framework means we are committed to working in a relationship based way with children and families, focussing on strengths in the family network to effect change. A positive learning culture which promotes opportunities for reflection and relationship-based practice is important to us. We are committed to developing our practice using reflective practice spaces such as case mapping, thinking spaces and group supervision.
Our permanent and stable senior management team are visible and approachable. Our dedicated workforce team supports professional development across the service so that you will:
- be supported through our comprehensive learning and development offer, which includes subscription to 'Research in Practice'.
- receive regular supervision and appraisal.
- have 1-1 practice development coaching as a case holder, and professional development coaching as a manager.
- have access to regular Signs of Safety training
- have access to external leadership development opportunities such as the Black and Asian Leadership Initiative (BALI).
- have a clearly defined career progression pathway with opportunities for professional development at all levels.
- opportunities to become a practice educator and work with students and newly qualified social workers.
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.
- Generous leave entitlement
- 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
The job is based at 43 - 45 Bromley Road, Catford SE6 . click apply for full job details