Social Worker - Adolescent Team Maternity Cover

Job Opportunity: Qualified Social Worker - Adolescent / Contextual Safeguarding Team

Salary: Up to £46,206 per annum
Contract: Fixed term (12 months)
Hours: Full time (36 hours)
Location: Wandsworth
Ofsted Rating: 'Good'

Are you a dedicated social worker driven to make a tangible impact in the lives of young people, guiding them towards a brighter future? Join Wandsworth Children's Services Adolescent Team, a specialised unit within our Specialist Services for Families.

About Us: Our team employs a trauma-informed and relational framework, addressing extra-familial harm through a child protection lens. We focus on mitigating risks associated with Child Sexual Exploitation, Criminal Exploitation, Serious Youth Violence, Gangs, Missing persons, and online/social media abuse. We need your creative flair and dynamic approach to empower these young individuals.

About the Role: As a specialist social worker, you'll undertake a range of statutory interventions, from initial assessments to Child in Need (CIN) / Child Protection (CP) and Looked After Children (LAC) work. Your caseload will be smaller than usual, allowing for intensive and creative engagement utilising a contextual safeguarding approach. Collaboration with the young person, family, friends, and professional network is key in devising targeted intervention plans to ensure their safety and holistic development.

Essential Qualifications, Skills, and Experience:

• Registered Social Worker with Social Work England, with relevant statutory practice experience.
• Proficiency in Trauma Informed, Systematic Practice, and familiarity with key issues affecting young people at risk of extra-familial harm.
• Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills across diverse contexts.
• Experience in multi-agency collaboration, ensuring the centrality of young people's wishes and feelings in decision-making.
• Commitment to anti-discriminatory, anti-oppressive, and anti-racist practice.
• Strong assessment and planning skills, with the ability to manage risk effectively.

If you're a confident social worker with robust assessment and planning abilities, eager to work alongside families within their unique contexts, we encourage you to apply.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Phil Puaca at Ackerman Pierce on or

Internal applicants seeking secondment must obtain permission from their current line manager before applying.

Application Deadline: 11:59pm on Tuesday 30th April 2024
Shortlisting Date: Wednesday 1st May 2024
Interview Date: Week commencing Monday 6th May 2024

At Richmond and Wandsworth Councils, we are committed to inclusive recruitment practices, fostering equality and diversity, and creating a culture that celebrates differences. We value the unique contributions individuals from diverse backgrounds bring to our organisation and the enhancement they bring to our service delivery.