Kinship Senior Social Worker

About the role

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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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.

• 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.

All applicants must be available to attend in-person interviews which will take place between 08.09.. These will take place at the Civic Centre in Uxbridge.

We value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us. We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation. That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work-life balance, financial wellbeing, health, and professional development.

• Flexible Working Hours - We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
• 36 Hour Week - Enjoy a standard 36-hour workweek for all full time staff.
• Generous Holiday Entitlement - increasing with length of service (for non-casual roles).
• Hillingdon Sports & Leisure - Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes - option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
• Cycle to Work - Eco-friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
• Local Government Pension Scheme - access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
• Perkbox Benefits - Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Perkbox…