We are keen to be able to offer an exciting, stimulating and unique opportunity for social work qualified staff to apply for the role of Senior Social Worker in an innovative new design to revive Private Fostering in Southwark.
About the Role:
The role includes both managing a caseload and promoting private fostering within the internal organisation as well as within the Southwark community. This role will include private fostering assessments and support for these children, participating on the panel, enabling effective and timely recording that feeds into the strategic overview.
In this role you will lead on private fostering in Southwark which will include co locations in the community which will support various stakeholder consultations, workshops and training.
This is a chance to try a different way of working and creative approaches to engage with the Southwark community and ensure that our Privately Fostered children are receiving the best service possible.
This is great opportunity for Senior Social Workers interested in innovation, systemic working and relationship based direct work with children and families and professionals alike. The post holder will need to demonstrate a commitment to the value base of child-centred and family minded practice focused on improving lives.
About You:
You will have:
About the Team:
You will be joining a friendly team of dedicated professionals who share your passion for positive outcomes for children and families and ensure the delivery of a high quality, comprehensive, integrated, systemically informed social work service within Southwark’s Practice Framework.
In return for all your hard work, skills and experience, you will receive:
For detailed qualifications and requirements, please review the job description and person specification located at the bottom of the advert.
Contact Information:
If you are interested to discuss the role with the hiring manager, please email Joyce Patton via email at joyce.patton@southwark.gov.uk
Additional Information:
Benefits and more information:
https://jobs.southwark.gov.uk/why-us/
Recruitment Timeline:
The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme:
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
We are the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues and social enterprises and we have a young, diverse and growing population.
At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities.  Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.
At Southwark Children’s Services, we pride ourselves on doing our vital job differently. Our systemic, holistic, family-centred approach sits at the core of our values. And our endlessly supportive, collective, culture underpins everything we do to protect vulnerable children across our borough.
Southwark is a great place to grow and develop as a social worker. We continue to provide fantastic career progression opportunities. Supported by great partnerships and resources we are always growing and developing what we do through innovation, investment in our workforce and, most importantly, listening to children and families, and those that work with them.
Our offer to staff includes:
competitive remuneration packages
the opportunity to work in a vibrant borough in the heart of London with excellent access to Central London and easy transport links to the South East
a multi-cultural and diverse working environment, which provides excellent opportunities for enhancing your skills
modern digital plan with technology to support flexible working arrangements
professional development and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities through an established and extensive learning and development plan and opportunities.
opportunities to train as a Practice Educator and develop experience with student
clinical practitioners attached to every team to support you as an individual and your work with children and families.
culture of innovation and a ‘can do’ approach to problem solving in Social Care
stable, supportive leadership; Southwark has a lower ratio of workers to managers than most local authorities
small teams with supportive managers and manageable caseload
travel season ticket loans, cycle scheme, essential user care parking permits and local government pension
family friendly, flexible and agile working, from home or on-site
wellbeing programme, HSF Health plan and eye care scheme, EAP employee assistance programme, confidential counselling and support, and access to subsidised HSF health plan
If you are interested in having an informal discussion about this role, or working in children’s social care in Southwark, please contact Dan Comach, our Principal Social Worker at daniel.comach@southwark.gov.uk