Job Information
Achieving for Children is a Community Interest Company that has a public sector ethos, combined with the freedom to innovate enabling us to do things differently. As a not-for-profit social enterprise owned by three local authorities (Windsor & Maidenhead, Kingston and Richmond), we offer the freedoms of a social enterprise with the employment benefits of local government. To find out more about us .
Social Work Assistant - Adolescent Safeguarding Team
Are you passionate about supporting vulnerable young people and their families? We're looking for a motivated and compassionate Social Work Assistant to join our dynamic Adolescent Safeguarding Team. In this rewarding role, you’ll play a key part in both essential administrative work and meaningful, hands-on support with young people and their families.
If you're ready to be part of a team that’s committed to making a lasting impact, we want to hear from you!
Operational area Kingston and Richmond Primary place of work Guildhall 2, Kingston upon Thames KT1 Appointment type Fixed Term Length of contract 12 months Business area Early Help Full time/Part time Full-time Salary from £31,524 (SCP12) Salary to £32,931 (SCP15) Hours 36 Estimated Interview date/s TBC Closing Date 22/08/2025 Ref No 2098 Documents
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About the role
As a Social Work Assistant you will work flexibly alongside a frontline social work team supporting them with their day to day functions. The Adolescent safeguarding team is based in Kingston most of the time but you could also work in Twickenham offices when required.
The Social Work Assistant works closely with every member of the team, from the Head of the Specialist Adolescent Service to the newly qualified social workers and students. The role is responsible for a variety of direct work with young people and families and the administrative tasks required to support the social workers so they can focus directly on the children.
Responsibilities will include, but are not exclusive to:
2. Working directly with children and families under the direction of the social worker in order to deliver time limited support,
3. Making contact with partner agencies to gather and share information,
4. Taking & recording minutes,
5. Writing letters and completing referrals to other agencies,
6. Maintaining electronic files and
7. Any other tasks identified by your manager
If you wish to have an informal discussion please contact Michelle Appiah by email on
About you
You’re someone who thrives in a fast-paced, emotionally complex environment and is passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people. The ideal candidate for this role will be:
8. A confident and compassionate communicator
9. Flexible and adaptable in your approach
10. Strongly child-focused, with a commitment to safeguarding
11. Calm under pressure, with a proactive, ‘can-do’ attitude
12. Skilled in using a range of IT systems and quick to learn new tools
You’ll be working directly with young people who may have experienced or caused significant harm, including cases involving sexual assault and serious youth violence. It’s essential that you bring a level of emotional resilience, self-awareness, and confidence to this work, and that you know when to seek guidance and support from your team.
If you're ready to take on a meaningful role where every day brings new challenges and real opportunities to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.
About our benefits
We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to enable hybrid working. In AfC you will also have access to:
13. 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years with an additional day off in your birthday month (Or for term-time workers, your leave entitlement consists of the non-working periods in your contract)
14. Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC
15. Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension)
16. Flexible working options - helping to keep a good work life balance
17. A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
18. A range of staff benefits and discounts
19. An excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway
To find out about all of the breadth of benefits of working for Achieving for Children. For our social work offer. For our Recruitment Journey,
Important Information
Start dates: Achieving for Children have meaning successful candidates join on a set date in each month. Candidates are advised to prepare for this should a job offer be accepted to ensure eligible continuous service is not affected.
Right to work: The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the for right to work guidance.
Equality: We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams. Achieving for Children are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
For more information about AfC: Drop in and meet Regina on the first Wednesday of every month at Civic Centre, Twickenham.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.