Senior Social Worker – Safeguarding Service
Lewisham Council
- £39.04 per hour competitive rate
- Senior frontline safeguarding role with leadership responsibilities
- Hybrid working model with strong team support
- Signs of Safety practice model embedded across the service
- Opportunity to influence practice and support developing social workers
Are you an experienced Senior Social Worker looking for your next challenge in a progressive safeguarding service? Lewisham Council is seeking a confident and skilled practitioner to join its Safeguarding Team, where you’ll take on complex cases while also supporting the development of less experienced staff.
This is a fantastic opportunity to step into a role that combines high-quality frontline practice with leadership, all within a borough that is committed to relationship-based work and strengths-led interventions.
About the Role
As a Senior Social Worker, you will work with children and families where there are significant safeguarding concerns, holding complex Child Protection and court cases while contributing to the wider team’s performance and development.
Working within Lewisham’s Signs of Safety practice model, you will focus on building meaningful relationships with families, creating clear safety plans, and ensuring sustainable outcomes for children.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a complex caseload including Child Protection, Child in Need, and PLO cases
- Lead Section 47 investigations and robust risk assessments
- Produce high-quality court reports, care plans, and assessments
- Provide mentoring and guidance to ASYE and junior social workers
- Support the Team Manager with case direction and practice standards
- Lead and contribute to strategy discussions, core groups, and conferences
- Ensure the child’s voice is central to all planning and intervention
- Work collaboratively with multi-agency partners to deliver effective safeguarding outcomes
What We’re Looking For
- Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration
- Strong experience within a Safeguarding / Child Protection Team
- Proven ability to manage complex cases and court work
- Experience supporting or mentoring other practitioners
- Excellent knowledge of Children Act 1989, PLO, and safeguarding frameworks
- Confident decision-maker with strong analytical and communication skills
Why Join Lewisham?
- £39.04 per hour competitive rate
- Hybrid working for better work-life balance
- Supportive leadership and regular reflective supervision
- Clear progression pathway and opportunities to step into management
- Work within a well-established Signs of Safety model
- Be part of a borough that genuinely values relationship-based practice
Contact
Josh Dhumisani
📞 07902371315
📧 jdhumisani@sheldon-phillips.com