Senior / Social Worker - Family Help

Join Hillingdon's Outstanding Family Help Service

Why Social Workers Choose Hillingdon

If you're passionate about building meaningful relationships with children and families and want to work somewhere you can truly make a difference, Hillingdon is the place for you.

Following our recent Ofsted Outstanding judgement, we continue to invest in our workforce, creating the conditions for social workers to thrive. We know great social work happens when practitioners have the time, support and stability to focus on families.

That's why we offer:

✅ Salary up to £56,444 per year (including £4,250 retention payment)

✅ £4,250 Retention Payment per annum

✅ SWE fee

✅ Free on-site parking

✅ 5 minutes from Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines

✅ Flexible and hybrid working arrangements

✅ Outstanding by Ofsted

✅ Manageable caseloads

✅ 100% of our Senior Leadership Team are permanent

✅ Visible, accessible and supportive managers

✅ Excellent learning, development and career progression opportunities

✅ Regular reflective supervision and clinical consultation

✅ A relationship-based and trauma-informed practice model

✅ Modern, locality-based teams and working environments

About Our Family Help Service

Hillingdon's Family Help Service is at the forefront of the national Families First Partnership Programme, bringing together early help, targeted support and statutory intervention to provide seamless support for children and families.

Working within our locality-based teams, you'll support children from Child in Need through to Child Protection, developing strong relationships with families and partners within your local community.

Our approach is simple: Build relationships. Create change. Improve outcomes.

By working in smaller geographical areas, social workers can spend more time with children and families, strengthen local partnerships and deliver interventions that make a lasting difference.

One family described our workers as:

"A beacon of hope in very troubled waters."

The Role

As a Family Help Social Worker, you will:

• Build trusted, relationship-based partnerships with children, young people and their families.
• Complete high-quality assessments that identify strengths, risks and support needs.
• Develop and deliver effective Child in Need and Child Protection plans.
• Lead purposeful interventions that improve safety, wellbeing and family resilience.
• Work collaboratively with schools, health services, police, adult services and community partners.
• Safeguard children and promote positive outcomes through timely and effective decision-making.
• Maintain accurate records, assessments and reports to support high-quality practice.
• Contribute to our ambition of becoming a fully trauma-informed service.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for social workers who are passionate about making a lasting difference in children's lives.

You will have:

• A recognised Social Work qualification (BA, MA or equivalent).
• Registration with Social Work England.
• Experience of working with children and families within statutory children's services.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation, child development and practice frameworks.
• Excellent communication, analytical and relationship-building skills.
• A commitment to strengths-based, relationship-focused practice.

Most importantly, you'll be someone who believes that positive relationships can change children's lives.

What You'll Receive

• Plus £4,250 Retention Payment (applicable to both Social Worker and Senior Social Worker grades)
• Potential package value up to £56,444 per annum.

Salary placement will be determined based on qualifications, skills and experience.

Why Hillingdon?

At Hillingdon, we are proud of what we've achieved:

✅ Outstanding Ofsted judgement

✅ Stable and experienced permanent leadership team

✅ Strong culture of support and collaboration

✅ Commitment to workforce wellbeing

✅ Investment in professional development

✅ Clear career progression pathways

✅ Focus on keeping caseloads manageable

✅ An ambitious vision for children and families

Our social workers tell us that what makes Hillingdon different is the combination of strong leadership, supportive colleagues and the opportunity to spend meaningful time helping families create lasting change.

• Flexible Working Hours – We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
• 36 Hour Week – Enjoy a standard 36-hour workweek for all full time staff. 
• Generous Holiday Entitlement – increasing with length of service (for non-casual roles).
• Hillingdon Sports & Leisure – Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes – option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
• Cycle to Work – Eco-friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
• Local Government Pension Scheme – access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
• Vivup Benefits – Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Vivup Benefits.
• Mental Health Support and Counselling Services – Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues. Access free 24-hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
• Travel Support – Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.  
• Trade Union Membership – The Council recognises UNISON, Unite, AEP and GMB and supports employees’ freedom of choice in relation to trade union membership.
  

• Enhanced DBS Check
• Qualifications Check
• Professional Registration Check
• 5 years of Referencing