Location
Sutton, London Borough of Sutton

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£92,601 per annum

About the Borough
The London Borough of Sutton is situated less than 30 minutes by train from Central London, with direct connections to London Victoria and London Bridge. Located in zone 5 with excellent transport links, Sutton boasts award-winning parks and open spaces, low crime rates, affordable housing, and great schools. The borough enjoys high levels of resident engagement and satisfaction, delivering quality services while addressing financial challenges and involving residents in key issues and local developments.
Sutton is investing continuously in the health, wellbeing, and education of its residents and future generations, as outlined in the “Ambitious for Sutton” corporate plan. Home to the Royal Marsden Hospital and the Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton is developing the London Cancer Hub, aiming to become the world’s leading life-science district specializing in cancer research and treatment. This vision will create around 13,000 jobs and contribute £1.2bn annually to the UK economy. With regeneration projects including new homes and schools, Sutton is committed to working closely with residents and vulnerable groups to maintain independence and balance support with independent living.
The Council is a driving force within the South London Partnership of five outer south west London boroughs focused on strategic growth, regeneration, and investment. Sutton aims to shape the borough’s future to make it a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

About the Service and Team
The London Borough of Sutton is "uncompromising in its focus on improving quality of frontline social work" – Ofsted.
Sutton works closely with Kingston University and regional partners as part of the Developing Together Social Work Teaching Partnership (SWTP), offering a wide range of pre- and post-qualifying education opportunities to promote continuous learning and development. Staff are encouraged to support social work students and those in the assessed and supported year in employment (ASYE). Opportunities include attending conferences, workshops, and access to research and practice resources.
The Council is on an ambitious transformation journey to strengthen outcomes for children, young people, and families, responding effectively to increasing needs. The vision is to deliver outstanding, relationship-based practice that enables every child to feel safe, supported, and able to thrive. Sutton is committed to creating an inclusive, diverse, and stable environment where the workforce can develop, grow, and feel proud of their impact.
Children's Social Care is undergoing important changes to meet growing needs, improve care quality, and create positive working environments. With committed leaders and experienced managers, Sutton is bringing fresh ideas and real improvements to support children and families.

About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity for an inspirational and values-driven leader to join the Senior Management Team as Principal Social Worker. As the guardian of professional standards, you will ensure practitioners’ work across children’s services remains ethical, effective, and child-centred. You will help create conditions for excellent practice to flourish and be evidenced.
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing strategic leadership and professional advice to the Director of Children’s Services (DCS) and influencing council strategy
- Overseeing frameworks to improve social work practice, auditing cases, and ensuring consistent high standards
- Leading and supporting the social care workforce, promoting effective supervision and a positive learning culture
- Driving the strategic safeguarding agenda to ensure robust responses and that social workers are "making safeguarding personal"
- Acting as a conduit between frontline practice and senior leadership to inform policy and respond to demographic changes
- Championing trauma-informed, strengths-based, and human rights-based approaches to practice

You will play a pivotal role in ensuring Sutton meets the LGA Standard for Employers, working closely with the Principal Social Worker of Adult Social Care and Occupational Therapy Services. You will provide confident leadership, expert advice, and clear decision-making on all aspects of practice.

You will champion the voice of children, young people, and families, ensuring their needs shape service design, practice development, and partnership working. Working closely with a skilled workforce, you will act as a critical friend and ensure frontline practice voices are represented in senior decision-making forums.

You will strategically lead the development and representation of the Practice Framework, strengthening restorative and trauma-informed practice models, ensuring consistent application and evidence within children’s records. You will maintain a strong focus on anti-racism and anti-discriminatory practice, promoting inclusivity within family work and the workforce.

This demanding, high-profile role holds lead operational responsibility for ensuring the Council meets statutory duties under the Children Act 1989 and associated safeguarding and regulatory frameworks. You will collaborate with internal and external partners—including health, education, and commissioned providers—to secure safe, stable, and ambitious social work practice. You will contribute to the wider service’s strategic direction, driving innovation, quality improvement, and best practice aligned with Ofsted expectations and national standards.

This role offers the chance to ensure every child in Sutton feels safe, supported, and able to thrive.

Experience
- Strong experience in children’s social care
- Proven ability to lead teams and partnerships to deliver improved outcomes for children
- Confidence in managing performance, driving service improvement, and leading change in complex environments
- Clear understanding of statutory responsibilities under the Children Act and related legislation

About You
- Motivated and values-driven leader passionate about improving the lives of children and families
- Compassionate, resilient, innovative, and skilled in relationship-building
- Committed to delivering high-quality, child-centred practice
- Ready to step into or already established in a senior leadership role with strategic influence
- Open to coaching, mentoring, and collaborative leadership to succeed in Sutton’s approach

Qualifications
- Relevant professional qualifications and registrations in social work or related fields are expected for this senior leadership role