Senior Social Worker – Leaving Care Team
Location: Merton
Rate: £39.04 per hour
Contract: Locum, Full-Time (36 hours)

Merton’s Leaving Care Team is looking for an experienced Senior Social Worker to join them on a full-time locum basis. The team works with young people aged 16–25, supporting them as they move towards independence — and they need someone who gets that this isn’t just about ticking boxes. You’ll be supporting young people through a critical time in their lives, helping them navigate housing, education, mental health and everything else that comes with becoming an adult — often without the safety net that others have.

What the role involves:

• Managing a caseload of care leavers aged 16–25, including some with complex needs
• Building strong, trusting relationships and keeping your work young person–focused
• Helping with housing plans, education, employment, and general life support
• Working alongside YOT, CAMHS, housing, and education teams
• Preparing for and attending pathway plan reviews and updating assessments

What they’re looking for:

• You’ve worked with care leavers or older adolescents and understand the challenges they face
• You’re Social Work England registered and confident in holding complex cases
• You don’t just “do the visit” — you build real relationships with young people
• You’ve got a calm, grounded approach and know when to push and when to listen

Why choose Merton?

• Experienced team with solid support and a real focus on good outcomes
• £39.04 per hour, full-time hours, and a long-term contract
• A team that values consistency — not high turnover or last-minute panic placements

If you’re looking for a role where you can genuinely support young people into adulthood — not just manage risk and process — this is it.

Call me on:

Mobile: 07513 834 554

Landline: 01635 226350

Email: mbillingham@sheldon-phillips.co.uk 

Got someone else in mind? I offer up to £500 in referrals for successful placements.