We are recruiting for a qualified Social Workers to join our vibrant Fostering recruitment Service. This will be a 6 month maternity cover placement. This role is based in the Recruitment team of the Fostering Service and will cover the recruitment of foster carers and supported lodgings hosts.
Support offered includes:
Regular supervision with line manager (providing opportunity for reflection and learning)
Access to in-house and bespoke training
Regular service development days
Community events and specific team away days
Within this role, you will work with prospective foster carers right from their first enquiry, supporting them to offer stable homely environments and meet the needs of looked after children in their care. This will include initial home visits to assess the suitability of the home, assessing and writing of Form F’s, assisting with the training of prospective carers and taking them to Panel.
You will help them with learning and reflection regarding children’s presentation and behaviours linking to attachment, secure base and trauma related theory.
You will provide support, guidance and assistance whilst assessing their capacity to care for young people from Southwark aged 0 – 17. You will assess their support network and potentially back up carers where necessary to support the placement.
You will also have the chance to be part of the new Supported Lodgings scheme – assisting with the recruitment, assessment and support of Supported lodgings hosts.
There is also a Safeguarding function within the service, which includes assessing and investigating risk within homes and responding promptly to allegations.
As a social worker you will be key in ensuring the welfare and assessed needs of those whom we support making sure they are managed in a safe and inclusive way.
We are looking for enthusiastic, passionate and motivated social workers to join our service. You will adopt a strength-based, person centred approach to your work and be able to balance challenging demands whilst growing and developing in your practice.
We are the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues and social enterprises and we have a young, diverse and growing population.
At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities.  Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.
At Southwark Children’s Services, we pride ourselves on doing our vital job differently. Our systemic, holistic, family-centred approach sits at the core of our values. And our endlessly supportive, collective, culture underpins everything we do to protect vulnerable children across our borough.
Southwark is a great place to grow and develop as a social worker. We continue to provide fantastic career progression opportunities. Supported by great partnerships and resources we are always growing and developing what we do through innovation, investment in our workforce and, most importantly, listening to children and families, and those that work with them.
Our offer to staff includes:
competitive remuneration packages
the opportunity to work in a vibrant borough in the heart of London with excellent access to Central London and easy transport links to the South East
a multi-cultural and diverse working environment, which provides excellent opportunities for enhancing your skills
modern digital plan with technology to support flexible working arrangements
professional development and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities through an established and extensive learning and development plan and opportunities.
opportunities to train as a Practice Educator and develop experience with student
clinical practitioners attached to every team to support you as an individual and your work with children and families.
culture of innovation and a ‘can do’ approach to problem solving in Social Care
stable, supportive leadership; Southwark has a lower ratio of workers to managers than most local authorities
small teams with supportive managers and manageable caseload
travel season ticket loans, cycle scheme, essential user care parking permits and local government pension
family friendly, flexible and agile working, from home or on-site
wellbeing programme, HSF Health plan and eye care scheme, EAP employee assistance programme, confidential counselling and support, and access to subsidised HSF health plan
If you are interested in having an informal discussion about this role, or working in children’s social care in Southwark, please contact Dan Comach, our Principal Social Worker at daniel.comach@southwark.gov.uk