Kinship Senior Social Worker

We are seeking experienced Social Workers and Senior Social Workers to join our Kinship service, supporting children and families through assessment, care planning and court processes.

This is a rewarding opportunity to work with complex cases, contribute to high-quality assessments and play a key role in securing stable, supportive arrangements for children within their extended families.

As a Social Worker, you will:

• Manage a varied and increasingly complex caseload, including safeguarding responsibilities.
• Use a range of frameworks for assessment and intervention.
• Chair professional meetings with multi-agency partners, children and families.
• Produce clear, evidence-based assessments, reports and case recordings.
• Use evidence and research to inform decision-making and practice.
• Support students and new colleagues, including acting as a buddy where required.
• Take responsibility for your own supervision, development and reflective practice.
• Challenge discriminatory practice and promote inclusive outcomes.
• Respond proactively to safeguarding and emergency situations.

As a Senior Social Worker, you will additionally:

• Manage a complex caseload with a high level of autonomy.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to colleagues, managers and partners.
• Model high standards of professional practice and caseload management.
• Prepare court reports and provide expert testimony in Care or Private Law proceedings.
• Participate in panels and contribute to decision-making processes.
• Support team planning and contribute to service delivery.
• Act as a Practice Educator for students and/or Newly Qualified Social Workers.
• Produce management information and support service analysis.

Kinship Focus

Within the Kinship service, you will:

• Complete detailed, analytical and evidence-based assessments of prospective kinship carers.
• Produce high-quality support plans within required timescales and deadlines.
• Work to court deadlines and panel requirements.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the child's journey through court, including temporary fostering and kinship arrangements.
• Apply understanding of kinship care legislation, frameworks and support options.
• Work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Advocate for and offer high level support to Kinship carers and the children in Kinship Arrangements.

About You

We are looking for qualified Social Workers who:

• Hold a recognised Social Work qualification and are registered with Social Work England.
• Have substantial post-qualifying experience (3+ years) within children and families services and can work at the Senior SW expectations of practice level.
• Have very strong assessment and analytical writing skills (required for court and for panel).
• Have experience working with complex families and safeguarding.
• Ideally have experience within kinship and/or fostering teams.
• Are organised, proactive and able to manage competing priorities.
• Can build effective relationships with children, families and partner agencies.
• Enable others to learn including student and apprentice SW's and be a model of good practice for less experienced staff members. A qualification as a Practice Educator is desirable.
• Be a strong team player which includes regular Duty days in the office and mandatory team meetings and team training.

Additional Information

• You must have the right to work in the UK.
• This is a hybrid role, with a requirement to attend the Civic Centre, Uxbridge at least twice a week.
• Travel is required as part of the Kinship assessment role.

Please note we are currently unable to offer sponsorhip for this position.