Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities!
We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.
Introduction
We are looking for a social worker who has extensive experience working with children and young people across a range of ages to join our Adolescent Family Help Team. You will be a skilled and reflective practitioner who is creative and can work with young people and their families in an innovative way to ensure they receive the right help at the right time. We are looking for applicants who are knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and who have the experience and confidence to work with young people who are affected by intra and/or extra familial harm.
What’s the role?
You will work in a diversified team including advanced practitioner, social workers and family practitioners. We are a dynamic and compassionate service committed to working with young people and their families who are typically adolescents who are affected by extra familial harm, the criminal justice and care systems. If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people, have the skills and dedication to support young people and their families through their most challenging times, then this is the perfect opportunity for you!
We are committed to using relational and strength-based approaches as we recognise that this works best for children affected by intra and/or extra-familial harm, the criminal justice system and on the edge of care. We aim to be Trauma Informed, Anti-Racist and use Restorative, Contextual Safeguarding & Signs of Safety Approaches to deliver interventions to children and their families.
What’s in it for you?
Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:
1. Generous holiday allowance
2. Local Government Pension scheme
3. Flexible working and family friendly policies
4. Season ticket and bicycle loans
5. A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
6. Supportive staff networks
What we’re looking for
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.
7. Families are respected and supported to stay together, whenever there is safety.
8. Families will tell us they understand why we are involved.
9. Children will tell us their social worker has made a difference to their lives.
10. Children who are in our care know we care, and we won’t give up on them.
11. Young people who have been in our care feel confident about their future
We have taken a whole system approach to improving our services to children and young people in our borough using ‘Signs of Safety’ as our practice model. Ofsted recognised the progress we have made noting that:
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.
Location
The job is primarily based in Laurence House, Catford, London, SE RU, but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis.
Special conditions
12. Relevant social work qualification is needed
13. Social Work England registration is required for this job
14. Must be years post qualified for this role
15. The job is subject to a DBS check (Enhanced)