We’re celebrating an OUTSTANDING achievement across all areas in our latest Ofsted inspection (December 2024) and now, we’re looking for social workers to help build on this success. Ofsted praised our leadership, saying: “Leaders have created an environment where staff feel valued, respected, and supported.” If you’re looking for a workplace where you can thrive, grow, and truly make a difference, this is your opportunity!
Come and join our dynamic Referral and Assessment Kingston team, where you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and well-being of children in our community!
The team responds to all children's social care referrals received by the SPA team. You will be involved in investigating concerns related to child safety, assessing risk and protective factors within families, and determining the appropriate course of action. This includes participating in strategy discussions, conducting single assessments, managing Section 47 investigations, facilitating initial accommodation to local authority care, coordinating initial child protection conferences, initiating care proceedings and leading initial statutory reviews.
The team focuses on delivering short-term support (up to 12 weeks) to families, addressing immediate needs, and working to prevent long-term involvement with social services. Your expertise and commitment will directly contribute to positive outcomes for children and families.
The Head of Service for the Referral and Assessment team plays a vital leadership role. This senior position is crucial in ensuring that concerns about a child’s or young person’s safety and wellbeing are thoroughly investigated and assessed. You will lead the team in identifying needs, planning care and promoting welfare, taking ultimate responsibility for all case decisions.
Your leadership will be pivotal in creating a cohesive, high-performing team culture, supporting individual development and maintaining high standards of practice. As a key figure during inspections, you will contribute to operational management and strategic planning, working closely with the Associate Director to shape the overall direction of services. The role demands a strong commitment to safeguarding and delivering high-quality services, ensuring assessments, interventions and reviews are thorough, child-focused and in line with statutory and policy requirements.
Within this role, you will be expected to:
For further information about this role, please contact Sara Doyle by email sara.doyle@achievingforchildren.org.uk for an informal discussion.
We are looking for a dynamic and experienced leader with a proven track record in managing teams, advocating for children and families and driving high-quality service delivery. You will have a strong commitment to achieving the best outcomes for children and young people, underpinned by your ability to create strong relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
You will be a strategic thinker, with a passion for developing others and a deep understanding of relevant legislation, policies and best practices. If you are a confident, adaptable and resourceful leader, with a passion for collaborative working and creating positive change, we’d love to hear from you!
Key requirements for this role include:
Achieving for Children (AfC) is a community interest company (a not-for-profit social enterprise) created in 2014 by the Royal Borough of Kingston and the London Borough of Richmond to provide their children’s services. In 2017, the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead joined AfC as our third owner.
We deliver the full range of children’s services for the three councils. Achieving for Children is a great place to work for those looking for a new challenge. Our offer to you includes:
A role in an organisation that is supportive
An induction offer that starts before you join and includes a welcome event on your first day of employment.
29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after two years and 35 days after four years
Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension)
Hybrid or mobile working and the technology and equipment to facilitate this
Positions available in three of the most desirable boroughs in the south - discrete relocation packages are available for selected roles
Travel assistance package for business use, including car and cycle mileage reimbursement, annual season ticket loan or business Oyster cards
Two days accredited Signs of Safety Foundation Training
12 protected Development Days each year for all staff
Access to a huge range of additional professional development opportunities as part of our regional Social Work Teaching Partnership
On occasions we are in the position to offer some additional financial payments for particularly hard to place roles in selected service areas of AfC.
If you would like to have an informal chat about working with us, please email recruitment@achievingforchildren.org.uk