Location
Laurence House, Catford, London, SE6 4RU. This role operates a hybrid working approach, requiring regular work both in the office and from home.

Hours
Full time with weekend working required.

Salary
£58,299 - £60,486 per annum (SCP 41 - 43). All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point for the grade unless matching current salary with evidential proof.

About the Role
Join the London Borough of Lewisham and make a meaningful difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities. As an Advanced Practitioner within the Family Help South Service, you will be an inspirational leader and skilled reflective practitioner working innovatively with young people and their families to ensure they receive the right help at the right time. You will work alongside social workers, senior family practitioners, substance misuse practitioners, mental health practitioners, and business support staff across Family Help Teams 1–5, Family Wellbeing Team, Children With Disabilities Team 2, and Occupational Health.

You will hold case responsibility and deputise for team managers, providing leadership, supervision, and guidance to social workers. Your role includes overseeing high-quality service delivery, collaborating with professionals and agencies, and supporting team performance improvements.

The Family Wellbeing Team focuses on improving the safety and wellbeing of children affected by parental drug and alcohol use by providing early access to substance misuse and mental health support, diverting families from traditional child protection processes. This innovative team employs integrated child and family assessments, multi-agency group supervision, new approaches to child protection conferences, co-location with partner agencies, and co-allocation of cases.

Key responsibilities include working directly with children and families under CIN, CP, and legal frameworks, line supervising ASYE and senior family practitioners, mentoring team members, and engaging closely with family networks during assessment and safety planning.

Experience
- Minimum of 3 years post-qualifying social work practice.
- Experience managing a frontline safeguarding caseload.
- Working with parents with complex needs where there is a risk of significant harm to children.
- Completing parenting or other assessments for Family Proceedings Court.
- Using the Signs of Safety practice framework.
- Conducting family network meetings to ensure child safety and wellbeing.
- Giving evidence in Family Proceedings Court.

About you
Confident, dynamic, and experienced social work professional with strong leadership skills. You are a creative and reflective practitioner who can work innovatively with young people and families. You demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment to delivering high-quality services and supporting your team effectively.

Qualifications
Relevant social work qualification is required. The role is subject to an enhanced DBS check.