Senior Social Worker - Childrens Services Contact Team (CSCT)

Posted 9th Sep, 2025
Location
Islington
Salary/rate
£51,228 – £54,360
Working pattern
Full-time – 35 hours per week
Working arrangements
Blended
Contract type
Permanent
Closing date
29th Sep, 2025
About the role

Are you interested in professional development opportunities and the ability to practice to the best of your ability within a supportive, innovative Outstanding Local Authority?

If so, Islington is looking to recruit an enthusiastic and talented Senior Social Worker for the Childrens Services Contact Team (CSCT).  CSCT is the Centralised point of contact for all referrals into Childrens Services and Social Emotional Wellbeing Services

As a Senior Social Worker, you will be responsible for optimising outcomes for children and families by providing advice and consultation to members of the public and other professionals, and crucially sharing in the decision-making process related to all contacts to the service. You will also serve as the link practitioner with the co-located Social Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) service, developing specialist skills and knowledge in this area. Key responsibilities include:

  • Providing consultation and support to social workers and other professionals seeking advice regarding children
  • Managing high numbers of referrals requiring robust analysis in a timely manner within this fast-paced service
  • Conducting specialist screening of SEMH contacts with a strong understanding of social and emotional support needs
  • Employing social work principles such as dignity, respect, empathy, and strength-based collaborative approaches
  • Contributing to Islington's Motivational Practice model with trauma-informed approaches

Islington continued our Outstanding rating from Ofsted in December 2024, with particular praise for CSCT's "robust and prompt management oversight of referrals" ensuring "children receiving the right help at the right time."

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Matthew Ellis at matthew.ellis@islington.gov.uk. The selection process includes a two-stage interview with initial Motivational Interviewing compatibility testing, followed by written test and panel interview for successful candidates.

About you

We are seeking a dedicated social work professional who shares our commitment to challenging inequality and creating a more equal Islington where everyone has an equal chance to thrive. You will demonstrate a clear understanding of inequities and how they affect different sections of our community, actively contributing to better equality, diversity, and inclusion outcomes. The ideal candidate will:

  • Hold a recognised social work qualification and current Social Work England registration
  • Have experience in children's social work with strong understanding of safeguarding thresholds and risk assessment
  • Demonstrate ability to form strong working professional relationships and work collaboratively across services
  • Show capacity to develop Motivational Interviewing skills (advanced skills not required as training provided)
  • Possess strong analytical skills to manage high-volume referrals requiring timely, robust analysis
  • Effectively interact and work with people of various cultural backgrounds, interpreting issues from cultural perspectives
  • Be committed to continuous improvement of service delivery and professional development
  • Understand trauma-informed practice and strength-based approaches to social work

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to enhanced DBS check with children barred list, Social Work England registration, qualifications check and 3/5 years referencing. As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee interviews for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria and provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

About Islington

Islington is one of the most vibrant areas of London, with a diverse population, a unique cultural identity and a wealth of open spaces, theatres, museums, cinemas, and galleries.

Our Children’s Social Care services have been rated by OFSTED as Outstanding and praises an “unwavering commitment to improving and enriching the lives of children and their families”

A snapshot of what we offer our social workers:

  • 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!
  • Lead authority for Step Up to Social Work
  • Social Work training through Social Work Apprenticeship Degree
  • Highly valued Assessed and Supported Year in Education through Islington ASYE Academy.
  • Access to Management and Coaching Apprenticeships
  • Pathways Program for first time and experienced managers
  • Opportunities to train as a Practice Educator

For more information and a discussion about working for London Borough of Islington, contact our Principal Social Worker Wynand McDonald, Principal Child and Family Social Worker at Wynand.mcdonald@islington.gov.uk.