Overview
As a Social Worker for the Children with Disabilities Team in Children's Services, you contribute to care and support for children and families in Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Our work has been described as showing outstanding practice by Ofsted. We often see children through each stage of childhood, from post-diagnosis and safeguarding to transitioning into adulthood. We liaise with health services, schools, and the voluntary sector to ensure children receive the right support.
Your goal is to safeguard and secure the well-being of children and young people while fulfilling all statutory processes. You will empower families, strengthen resilience, and pursue the best outcomes possible. You will identify when a child is at risk or in need, deliver protective support, and help place children who cannot safely live with their families into secure and stable arrangements. You will also represent the local authority as the corporate parent for looked-after children or those leaving care.
We are a competent team focused on delivering high-quality work. Join us to improve the lives of Westminster’s children to an even greater extent.
Responsibilities
* Safeguard and secure the well-being of children and young people, ensuring all statutory processes are fulfilled.
* Empower families and strengthen resilience to enable safe parenting and positive outcomes.
* Identify when a child is at risk or in need and deliver the best protective support.
* Support children who are unable to live safely with their families, providing security and stability.
* Represent the local authority as the corporate parent for looked-after children or those leaving care.
* Collaborate with a wide range of professionals across health, education, and the voluntary sector.
* Engage with families from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds to assess and support complex problems.
* Work directly with children across ages, including those with challenging behaviours, vulnerabilities, and trauma.
* Contribute to area-wide initiatives to improve outcomes for children and families.
Qualifications and Requirements
* You are currently registered with and hold a qualification recognised by Social Work England.
* Familiarity with the expectations of the Children Act 1989 and 2004.
* Experience working with vulnerable children and families, including disabled children or related services such as Permanency Care Planning, Leaving Care, and Child in Need support.
* A needs-led approach with skills in planning and reviews, analysing complex information, and implementing SMART plans of action.
* Ability to assess needs and risk with the child at the centre, while collaborating with other professionals when needed.
* Comfort engaging and assessing families from diverse backgrounds and supporting them through complex challenges.
* Experience working with children from very young ages to near adulthood, including those with challenging behaviours, vulnerabilities, and trauma.
* Strong verbal and written communication skills, including producing quality reports under statutory deadlines.
* Excellent organisational skills, time management, and ability to balance direct work, record keeping, and statutory processes.
About Westminster and Our Values
We are Westminster City Council and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Westminster is home to more than 200,000 residents, with a diverse community and a dynamic economy. Our strategy aims to build a fairer Westminster where communities participate in decision-making and feel welcome and safe.
We strive to be an inclusive workplace and employer of choice, encouraging applications from all backgrounds. We champion equality, diversity, inclusion and wellbeing, creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and belongs. This aligns with the Westminster Way.
To learn more about our equality duties and public health strategy, we reference Westminster’s approach to equality and diversity. As a forward-thinking Council, we support flexible working patterns and Agile working.
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