What Islington Offers:
• A specially designed core training package to deliver goal based interventions, use evidenced based tools, develop reflective and thoughtful risk assessment, and to measure progress,
• Availability of an intensive multi-disciplinary service to enhance risk assessment and decision making
• Social workers and managers receive regular reflective supervision and practice development opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of their interventions and develop their skills.
We take pride in providing a learning environment where staff can develop, with controlled case loads, safe working practices, a culture of strong supervision and excellent training opportunities enables a supportive working environment for all staff.
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
Islington continued their rating as Outstanding by Ofsted in December 2024. Ofsted has reported “Children’s experiences are at the heart of the local authority’s thinking, planning and development of services. Child-focused corporate leaders and politicians relentlessly pursue solutions to meet the needs of the children and families in the London Borough of Islington. The local authority’s relationship-based practice model is integrated throughout children’s services, alongside early years and education services…” In relation to CSCT Ofsted noted.. “A well-used consultation line provides valuable support to wider partner agencies. It helps to develop a shared understanding of levels of need and what to do when there is a concern about a child. Social workers in the children’s services contact team (CSCT) seek information from specialist workers, such as independent domestic violence advisers and exploitation specialists, to inform their analysis of children’s needs. Checks undertaken with partner agencies are proportionate and relevant. Robust and prompt management oversight of referrals in the CSCT results in appropriate actions for children being initiated without delay. Social workers’ recommendations are well articulated and result in children receiving the right help at the right time.”
We are proud of our commitment to children and families of being able to offer the right service at the right time by thorough and robust interventions within CSCT and the Social Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) service.
As a Senior Social Worker, you will be responsible for optimizing outcomes for children and families by providing advice and consultation to members of the public and other professionals, and crucially along with the management team to share in the decision making process related to all contacts to the service.
The Senior Social Worker is the link practitioner with SEMH which is a co-located service and you will be required to develop specialist skills and knowledge in this aspect of your role. A strong understanding of social and emotional support needs for children is highly desirable as specialist screening of SEMH contacts is undertaken.
Equity, diversity and inclusion
You will have, and demonstrate a clear understanding of inequities, how they affect different sections of our community, and the role that strategy and improvement can play in supporting better equality, diversity, and inclusion outcomes.
You can influence the development of services, support and/or practice by:
• Effectively interacting, working with, and developing meaningful relationships with people of various cultural backgrounds
• Interpreting issues and concerns from a cultural perspective and addressing situations or challenges from the points-of-view of multiple cultures
• Recognising and advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in your team through your actions
What is Motivational Practice?
Motivational Practice is Islington’s Practice Model. There are core elements that underpin the practice framework that provide a set of skills around how to communicate in a helpful way with colleagues, the professional network as a whole and families we work with, supporting a process of change.
Main duties of the job
The Senior Social Worker is responsible for supporting the integrated service delivery of SEMH within Children Services and therefore hold the link role between the services. The ability to form strong working professional relationships is key, along with a desire to continuous improvement of service delivery.
The Senior Social Worker will provide consultation and support to social workers in the service, along with other professionals who seek advice regarding children. This includes a strong understanding of risk and safeguarding thresholds and how best to ensure children receive the right support to ensure this is appropriately managed.
CSCT is a fast paced service and the ability to manage a high numbers of referrals that require robust analysis in a timely manner is critical.
You will be accustomed to employing social work principles such as dignity, respect, empathy, and strength based, collaborative approach to service delivery.
Motivational interviewing skills with a Trauma Informed lens are the cornerstone of social work practice in the Safeguarding and Family Support Service. In order to help us select the best candidate’s Islington have developed a two stage interview process with the first stage being an opportunity to test out applicants Motivational Interviewing (MI) compatibility.
Candidates are not required to have advanced MI skills, rather we are seeking to identify those who have the capacity to develop these skills with the advanced training and coaching that will be provided. Further details will be provided to all candidates who are shortlisted and offered an interview.
Those candidates who are successful following Motivation Interview will have a written test and panel interview.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Matthew Ellis matthew.ellis@islington.gov.uk
Closing date: Monday 29th September 2025 at 23:59
Proposed Interviews: to be confirmed
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:
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.