Social Worker - Children in Care

Qualified Social Worker – Children in Care Team – London

Location: London Borough of Merton
Pay/Salary: £39.04 per hour (Umbrella)
Office Working: Hybrid – 3 days per week in the office
Contract: Locum

We are currently working with the London Borough of Merton to find an experienced Qualified Social Worker for their Children in Care Team. This is an excellent opportunity to join a supportive service working with children and young people in care, helping to provide stability, progress permanence plans, and achieve positive long-term outcomes.

You'll manage a caseload of children in care, undertaking direct work with children and families, completing high-quality assessments and care plans, and working closely with foster carers, families and partner agencies. The role will also involve court work where required, ensuring children's wishes and feelings remain central to all planning and decision-making.

Duties

  • Managing a caseload of children and young people in care.

  • Completing and reviewing high-quality assessments, care plans and permanence plans.

  • Undertaking statutory visits and direct work with children and young people.

  • Preparing for and contributing to Looked After Children reviews and multi-agency meetings.

  • Working closely with foster carers, families, education, health and other partner agencies.

  • Preparing statements and applications for Family Court and representing the Local Authority in court where required.

  • Assessing and managing risk while ensuring children's wishes and feelings inform decision-making.

  • Maintaining accurate and timely case records, chronologies and professional documentation.

  • Working collaboratively with colleagues to achieve timely permanence and positive outcomes for children.

What you need

  • Social Work Qualification.

  • Social Work England registration.

  • Enhanced DBS (provided by us).

  • Previous experience within a Children in Care / Looked After Children Team or similar statutory children's service.

  • Strong knowledge of Looked After Children procedures, care planning and safeguarding.

  • Experience of court work and working effectively with multi-agency professionals.

  • Ability to confidently manage a statutory children's caseload.

  • Must be able to attend the office 3 days per week.

Why use us?

At Sheldon Phillips, you are not just a number on a board, you are someone we get to know, creating a personal job search that is as individual as you are. Our expert team are trained to ensure that your needs are met, our compliance procedures are quick and efficient, while making sure you find the job you really want.

If you are interested in this Qualified Social Worker role in a Children in Care Team within Merton, give Rhys Rafferty a call on

or email rrafferty@sheldon-phillips.com

Referral Bonus: Do you know someone who would be ideal for this role? Refer them to Sheldon Phillips and, if we successfully place them into a locum role, you'll receive a £300 referral bonus as a thank you. Terms and Conditions Apply.