Location
Hybrid role based at Newham Dockside, E16 2QU, London

Hours
Full time, flexible and hybrid working arrangements available to support work/life balance

Salary
£46,133 - £57,194 (includes market supplement)

About the Role
Join the London Borough of Newham and help build a fairer community for children and families. We are a vibrant, culturally rich borough with a young population and a commitment to inclusive, systemic, and restorative social work practice. Our Children with Disabilities (CwD) Social Work Team provides statutory services to children and families living with disability. You will manage a varied caseload including new referrals, Children in Need (CiN), Child Protection (CP), and looked after cases. This role offers rewarding, often long-term work focused on improving the quality of life for young people and their families.

We value your wellbeing and offer a modern office environment, remote working options when not visiting families, a flexible working policy, and clinical support to help you deliver your best work. Our practice model, Circles of Support, supports systemic and restorative approaches and was recently nominated for the MJ Award for Innovation in Children’s Services.

As part of our commitment to equity, we actively challenge discrimination and promote diversity in all forms to make Newham a fairer place to live, learn, and thrive.

"Our social workers deal with interesting and unique cases, building specialist knowledge which will be invaluable for their futures. Working in CwD is about being an advocate; it’s about giving a voice to those who need it most. We enable families to learn and grow together, improving quality of life for children and young people who might otherwise be left behind." – Service Manager Helen Cusick

"You get involved in all aspects of social work including assessments, CP and CiN cases, court work, and looked after processes. CwD is unique in this respect. It’s busy, but in a good way!" – Sandra B, DCYPS Social Worker

Experience
Qualified social worker registered with Social Work England with completed ASYE and subsequent statutory children’s social work experience. Experience supporting children living with disabilities is essential. Candidates with extensive experience in other statutory social work teams will be considered if they have a firm understanding of SEND and related processes.

About you
Patience, tolerance, and the ability to be a calming influence on families are key. You must be able to build trust and connect with families to develop effective support strategies. Passion, trustworthiness, empathy, and a genuine commitment to advocating for children and families are essential. Strong emotional strength and resilience are required to meet the demands of the role.

"Patience and tolerance are key, and you need to be able to be a calming influence on families. You need to be able to connect and build trust with the families, and have them trust you to find strategies to support them. You have to be passionate, trustworthy, and empathetic; with a genuine love and passion for helping children and their families, and being that advocate for them. Finally, you need strong emotional strength and resilience. That is what makes a social worker – that resilience within yourself. It comes from my heart the work that we do." – Juliet Y, DCYPS Senior Social Worker

Qualifications
Registered social worker with Social Work England and completion of ASYE. Relevant statutory children’s social work qualifications and experience supporting children with disabilities are required.