Location
Laurence House, Catford, London, SE6 4RU. Hybrid working approach with a combination of office and home working on a regular basis.

Hours
Full time, standard working hours.

Salary
£45,852 - £47,925 per annum (SW / SCP 31-33). 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 Lewisham’s Children and Young People’s Directorate as a Senior Social Worker delivering a high-quality, accountable statutory social work service to children who are looked after, subject to care proceedings, or progressing toward adoption. You will undertake robust assessments, purposeful interventions, and meaningful case planning and reviews in line with legislation, Council policy, and Lewisham’s Senior Social Worker role profile.
Working collaboratively with foster carers, birth families, adopters, Special Guardians, education and health colleagues, and other partners, you will ensure children receive coordinated and trauma-informed support. This role reflects Lewisham’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, relational practice, and championing the rights of children, families, and communities.
The postholder will manage a caseload of complex looked after children, prioritising their needs, wellbeing, identity, and safety in all planning. Responsibilities include producing high-quality written evidence for court, contributing to permanence planning, and preparing reports for CLA reviews, legal meetings, panels, and multi-agency partners.
In a senior capacity, you will provide guidance and professional support to social workers and alternatively qualified staff, contribute to reflective practice and team development, and uphold strong recording, compliance, and safeguarding standards.
This role is central to promoting stability, timely permanency outcomes, and safe, nurturing futures for children. You will also contribute to service development and help embed best-practice approaches aligned with Lewisham’s values and legal responsibilities.

Experience
Relevant professional experience in conducting kinship assessments is required. Experience working with looked after children and care proceedings is essential. Strong report writing skills and the ability to gather comprehensive information and trauma-informed assessments are necessary. Ability to work efficiently to meet court deadlines and manage competing demands is expected.

About you
You will value clear communication and feedback, inspire and motivate colleagues, and be committed to continuous professional development. You should be professionally curious, able to think calmly and reflectively, work inclusively and collaboratively, take responsibility, focus on solutions, and demonstrate transparency and appreciation in enquiry and learning.

Qualifications
You must hold a degree in social work or an equivalent qualification and be registered with Social Work England. The post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.