Children Services Experienced / Senior Social Worker

Contract to start ASAP

Duration: 13 weeks with a possible extension.

Qualified Senior Social Worker (Children's – SWE Qualified)

Hours: Full-time (35 hours per week)

Contract: 13 Week Temporary Contract, ending 24 January 2027

Make a Positive Difference to Children, Young People and Families in Lambeth

We're recruiting an experienced Qualified Senior Social Worker – Children's Services to join the London Borough of Lambeth, supporting children, young people, and families through high-quality statutory social work practice.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced, Social Work England registered Social Worker to work within a busy Children's Services environment, undertaking complex assessments, managing statutory cases, safeguarding vulnerable children, and working collaboratively with families and partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes.

You'll work closely with children, parents and carers, schools, health professionals, police, legal services, foster carers, and other professionals to ensure children are safeguarded and receive the right support at the right time.

About the Role

As a Qualified Senior Social Worker – Children's Services, you'll manage a complex caseload and undertake statutory social work responsibilities in accordance with relevant legislation, Council policies, safeguarding procedures, and professional standards.

What you'll be doing:

• Managing a complex caseload involving children, young people, and families with a range of needs and safeguarding concerns
• Undertaking comprehensive assessments of children and families, identifying risks, strengths, needs, and appropriate interventions
• Completing statutory visits, assessments, reports, and case recordings within required timescales
• Developing and reviewing care plans, child protection plans, and support plans
• Responding to safeguarding concerns and taking appropriate action to protect children from harm
• Working with children subject to Child in Need, Child Protection, Looked After Children, and other statutory processes
• Undertaking Section 17 and Section 47 assessments where required
• Preparing reports and evidence for court proceedings, case conferences, reviews, panels, and other statutory meetings
• Attending and contributing to Child Protection Conferences, Looked After Children Reviews, strategy meetings, and multi-agency meetings
• Working directly with children and families to understand their circumstances and develop effective plans for positive change
• Working collaboratively with partner agencies, including education, health, police, housing, legal services, and voluntary-sector organisations
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date case records in line with Council policies and statutory requirements
• Making evidence-based professional decisions regarding risk, safeguarding, and intervention
• Ensuring the voice of the child is central to assessment, planning, and decision-making
• Supporting less experienced colleagues and contributing to good practice across the service where required
• Participating in supervision, case discussions, and professional development activities
• Ensuring compliance with safeguarding legislation, Social Work England standards, and Council policies and procedures

Requirements

We're looking for an experienced, resilient, and professionally confident Social Worker with strong safeguarding knowledge and significant experience working within Children's Services.

You'll ideally have:

• A recognised Social Work qualification, such as a Degree or Diploma in Social Work
• Current registration with Social Work England – essential
• Post-qualifying experience within Children's Social Care
• Experience managing complex statutory children's social work cases
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding and child protection procedures
• Experience completing Child in Need and Child Protection assessments
• Experience undertaking Section 17 and Section 47 enquiries
• Experience working with Looked After Children and children subject to statutory intervention
• Experience preparing professional reports, assessments, and care plans
• Experience contributing to court proceedings and preparing court documentation where required
• Strong understanding of relevant legislation, including the Children Act 1989 and 2004
• Excellent risk assessment and analytical skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to build effective professional relationships with children, families, colleagues, and partner agencies
• Ability to manage a demanding caseload and prioritise work effectively
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a multidisciplinary team
• Strong organisational and case-management skills
• A child-centred and strengths-based approach to social work practice
• Enhanced DBS clearance or willingness to complete the required safeguarding checks
• Eligibility to work in the UK
• Ability to provide three years of references/work history
• Ability to complete a Criminal Convictions Declaration
• Ability to sign a Confidentiality Agreement

Why Apply

• Competitive Umbrella rate of £39.04 per hour
• Opportunity to work within London Borough of Lambeth Children's Services
• Meaningful role supporting vulnerable children, young people, and families
• Opportunity to manage complex statutory social work cases and develop professional experience
• Work alongside experienced social care professionals and multi-agency partners
• Gain further local authority Children's Services experience
• Temporary contract offering valuable experience within a London borough

Benefits

• Weekly Pay
• Company Pension
• Ongoing Agency Support

Additional Information

Client: London Borough of Lambeth

Location: 6 Brixton Hill, London, Lambeth, SW2 1RW

Start Date: 26 October 2026

Contract Duration: 13 weeks, ending 24 January 2027

Hours: 35 hours per week

Pay Rate: Umbrella: £39.04 per hour

Employment Type: Temporary

Number of Positions: 1

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary contract

Contract length: 13 weeks

Pay: £39.04 per hour

Benefits:

• Company pension

Application question(s):

• Are you currently registered with Social Work England?
• Do you hold a recognised Social Work qualification?
• How many years of post-qualifying experience do you have within Children's Social Care?
• Do you have experience managing Child Protection, Child in Need, and/or Looked After Children cases?
• Do you have experience completing Section 17 and Section 47 assessments?
• Do you have experience preparing reports or evidence for family court proceedings?
• Please confirm your current location and whether you can reliably travel to 6 Brixton Hill, London, SW2 1RW as required.

Experience:

• Children's Social Work: 2 years (preferred)
• Child Protection / Safeguarding: 2 years (preferred)
• Local Authority Social Work: 1 year (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• Social Work England Registration (required)
• Recognised Social Work Qualification (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person

Disclaimer: On applying for this vacancy, you agree that your personal details will be passed onto our client for their consideration of your suitability for the role. I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to notify iWork Recruitment Limited of any hirer who I do not want my details to be passed onto.

OR117902-10-26