Location
Laurence House, Catford SE6, South East London. The office is a 3-5 minute walk from two local train stations, with a 15-minute train journey from London Bridge. Numerous bus routes also serve the area. The role operates a hybrid working model, requiring regular work both in the office and from home.

Hours
Full Time

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, except where matching current salary (up to the maximum) is evidenced.

About the Role
Join the London Borough of Lewisham as a Social Worker within the innovative Families First Contact Point (FFCP), a multi-disciplinary team at the forefront of national social work reforms. This role involves making critical decisions about the right support for children and families using the Lewisham Family Help Continuum of Need. You will undertake comprehensive assessments to determine whether families require statutory intervention or can be supported through community-based resources.

FFCP aims to reduce duplication and hand-offs by providing a relationship-based and strengths-based response to families, carers, partners, and the public. Responsibilities include screening all contacts using a RAG rating system, triage work including information gathering and MASH checks, visiting families to complete Family Help assessments, and coordinating support.

The service embraces trauma-informed, anti-racist, restorative, and Signs of Safety approaches, placing families at the centre of decision-making while ensuring children receive appropriate support and protection. Lewisham is proud to be a DfE Pathfinder authority leading innovative social care reforms.

Lewisham Children’s Social Care is committed to creating the right conditions and culture for good practice to thrive, with a focus on family strengths, safety, and positive outcomes for children and young people. The service has been recognised by Ofsted for strong leadership, manageable caseloads, high-quality support, and culturally sensitive social work approaches.

Benefits include a supportive and stable senior management team, comprehensive learning and development opportunities, regular supervision and appraisal, access to leadership initiatives, and a clearly defined career progression pathway. There are also opportunities to become a practice educator and work with students and newly qualified social workers.

Experience
- Post-qualifying experience in social work.
- Experience working in Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hubs (MASH) and conducting comprehensive assessments.
- Knowledge of children in need of help and protection, and children looked after.
- Experience in contact/assessment services is advantageous.
- Strong report writing skills and ability to assess risk and develop multi-agency intervention plans.

About you
- Empathetic and compassionate with a genuine desire to help others.
- Resilient and able to handle challenging situations professionally.
- Adaptable and open to new ideas and approaches.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Professional curiosity with balanced, thoughtful decision-making.
- Collaborative and strengths-based in working with others.
- Responsible and solution-focused.
- Committed to continuous professional development and learning.

Qualifications
- Degree in Social Work or a related field.
- Registered with Social Work England.
- Commitment to social work principles, practices, and ethics.