Social Worker - Assessment

• Proven social work experience/placement in children and families setting/minimum of one year’s post-qualifying experience
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience of issues relating to children in need, child protection and looked-after children, including relevant legislation, guidance and procedures
• Experience of service delivery which is culturally sensitive and responsive to the needs of a multi-cultural community
• Able to prioritise and effectively work under pressure
• Managing a quality service by ensuring key performance indicators relating to service areas are met
• Ability to work well within a team and maintain clear and regular reporting lines to line manager and senior team members
• Display agile behaviours and understand change at any given moment and respond to it effectively
• Ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing, and to follow through on required actions
• Commitment to the participation of children, young people and their families both at an individual and service level
• In rare emergency situations, the ability to work flexible or unsocial hours at short notice

Desirable

• Have an understanding of the Children Acts 1989 and 2004 and other relevant legislation, procedures and guidance relating to children and families
• Awareness of current issues in childcare policy and practice
• Commitment to the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy and acceptance of responsibility for its practical application.
• To understand and comply with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

We know what social work is WORTH! Make the difference to the lives of children and families in Waltham Forest!

Bursting with culture, energy, and opportunity, our borough is a fantastic place where people want to live, work and play.

Why join us at Waltham Forest?

• 9 out of 10 staff in our social care teams enjoy our strong learning culture, which focuses on new and emerging trends

• We invest in your development to help you find your niche, specialising in areas underpinned by a clear strengths-based approach

• Inspiring leadership and ambition rated Outstanding 

• Diverse and inclusive teams who improve lives and make a real difference – a safe and inclusive environment, with active employee-led networks and initiatives

• A brand-new Town Hall HQ at Fellowship Square, with innovative and flexible workspace

What our staff say

As a borough which celebrates diversity and inclusivity, we believe that it is important for you to hear from a cross-section of staff working within Waltham Forest. Watch a selection of our staff case studies below.

We offer our staff:

• A rewarding role in an Ofsted rated GOOD children’s services department

• Stable leadership rated by Ofsted as OUTSTANDING

• New Social Work Academy

• Strong Continuing Professional Development (CPD) offer including Virtual Reality (VR) training

• Competitive salaries and retention bonuses

• A range of health & Wellbeing initiatives and vibrant staff-led networks such as our Race Equality Network

• Flexible working options

• Manageable caseloads

• Travel season ticket loan, cycle scheme, Local Authority pension    

Find out more

If you are interested in having an informal discussion about working in children's social care at Waltham Forest please contact:

• Rongful Begum, Head of Safeguarding at Rongful.Begum@walthamforest.gov.uk

• Kobus Grobbelaar, Head of Corporate Parenting Kobus.Grobbelaar@walthamforest.gov.uk

• Roberta Onyekwelu, Head of Placements & Resources Roberta.OnyeKwelu@walthamforest.gov.uk