Senior Social Worker - Adolescents Team

We are seeking an experienced, skilled, and motivated Social Worker to join our team, supporting children and families at risk of contextual safeguarding concerns. This is a vital role for someone who has the energy, expertise, and passion to achieve better outcomes for vulnerable young people every day. 

You will work with children and families where risks may include:

• Child criminal exploitation (CCE)

• Child sexual exploitation (CSE)

• Radicalisation

• Missing episodes

• Serious youth violence

• Family breakdown

The role involves building strong relationships with young people and families to reduce risks in a timely and effective way. You will use creative approaches, timely assessments, and restorative practice to ensure the voices of children are always at the centre of decision-making.

Key aspects of the role include:

• Co-producing plans with young people and empowering them to chair/co-chair their own review meetings.

• Delivering intensive support to ‘hard to reach’ families through direct work.

• Implementing relational and restorative social work practice models.

• Promoting best practice and continuous improvement in line with policy, legislation, and professional standards.

Responsibilities

• Manage a complex social work caseload with high levels of autonomy.

• Provide expert professional and technical advice to colleagues, Social Workers, and partners.

• Support caseload management and promote reflective practice and professional development.

• Demonstrate skilled use of a range of assessment and intervention frameworks.

• Model and encourage professional social work practice and effective caseload management.

• Build strong networks with internal and external colleagues to support effective practice.

• Prepare court reports and provide expert testimony in care and private proceedings.

• Chair professional meetings with inter-agency partners and clients.

• Contribute to team planning and the delivery of service objectives.

• Produce management information and analysis to inform decision-making.

• Participate in panel processes and ensure practice complies with the Social Work Professional Capabilities Framework (Experienced Social Worker level).

About You

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• A strong understanding of statutory frameworks for children in need of help and protection.

• Experience of working with complex needs, using creative and flexible approaches.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build trust with children, families, and partners.

• The drive, motivation, and resilience to work with young people facing significant challenges.

This is a challenging but highly rewarding opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of children and young people at risk.

• 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.  
  

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